Imagine a rocket that not only soars into the sky with a thunderous roar but elegantly glides back to Earth, ready for another thrilling journey among the stars. Enter Adeline (Advanced Expendable Launcher with Innovative engine Economy), a groundbreaking concept brought to life by the brilliant minds at Airbus Defence and Space.
source.image: Hazegrayart
At the core of this visionary concept lies a rocket booster like no other. Equipped with propeller engines and cutting-edge avionics, it promises to be more than just a disposable first-stage component. Adeline’s true genius lies in its ability to gracefully touch down on a runway, post-launch, only to be lovingly refurbished and sent off on yet another exhilarating adventure.
source.image: Hazegrayart
As the fiery launch propels the stage forward, the engine module knows its fate and bravely bids farewell, preparing for the daring descent. Here’s where Adeline unleashes its wings – tiny, yet potent winglets that nimbly guide the booster towards its coveted runway destination. Thrilling, isn’t it?
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As the runway looms closer, the tension builds; this is the moment when the landing gear springs into action, providing the stability needed for a picture-perfect horizontal landing. To add a touch of ingenuity, two small pusher configuration propellers join the ensemble, lending that extra oomph to the landing. Talk about elegance and power wrapped into one!
Now, let’s talk economics. Adeline has an ace up its sleeve. By reusing a whopping 80% of the stage’s economic value – encompassing the engine, avionics, and propulsion bay – it stands as a beacon of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. SpaceX, though impressive with its vertical landing feats, does not escape the taxing stresses their booster engines endure during deceleration. Adeline, on the other hand, gracefully glides and only requires a modest 2,000 kg of fuel for a geostationary flight back to the ground. The beauty lies in the reduction of launch costs, ranging from 21-40%. However, the catch lies in the payload capacity, which could diminish from 8,300 kg to 5,500 kg with this approach.via: Hazegrayart
