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Europe and Sub-Orbital Space Flight Tourism (aka “public access to space”)

Europe and Sub-Orbital Space Flight Tourism (aka “public access to space”). Melissa Kemper Force. The Appeal of Sub-Orbital S pace F light . To the prospective passenger : experiencing weightlessness viewing the Earth from 100km above the surface becoming a certified “astronaut ”

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Europe and Sub-Orbital Space Flight Tourism (aka “public access to space”)

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  1. Europe and Sub-Orbital Space Flight Tourism(aka “public access to space”) Melissa Kemper Force

  2. The Appeal of Sub-Orbital Space Flight To the prospective passenger: • experiencing weightlessness • viewing the Earth from 100km above the surface • becoming a certified “astronaut” To governments and industry: • the future of the aerospace industry • creating a major new economic engine for powering the economy • new opportunities for science

  3. Issues Effecting Space “Tourism” in Europe • Lack of a Regulatory Framework: • Determine whether private spaceflight will be regulated at a national, European or Global level • Determine which organizations will be responsible within Europe • Develop an Experimental Class Permit • Uncertainty Regarding Insurance and Indemnification: • Is there a market? • Demand • Lack of a clear liability regime. • Blockages to Open Competition: • ITAR – used by US to dominate the space tourism market?

  4. European Aviation Safety Agency ICAO definition of Aircraft (Ann. 6 & 8): • “Any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface” • Sub-orbital Aeroplanes generating aerodynamic lift during the atmospheric part of the flight are considered to be aircraft, performing most of their flight in the atmosphere, only temporarily entering outer space • Within EASA competence: • Fixed-wings aircraft • Rocket-powered aeroplanes

  5. EASA Proposed Regulatory Approach Based on similarity to existing aeroplanes in operations for most of their flying pattern. Goal is to complement existing rules to capture the specific features of such sub-orbital aeroplanes, rather than developing new specifications from scratch. Adapt existing airworthiness codes and develop special conditions to ensure the appropriate level of safety. Use a combination of EASA and FAA regulations Proposed Schedule: • Decision/publication – October 201

  6. Legal Regime EASA/EU competence ends where outer space begins. • No legal delimitation • Draw a line at 100 km above sea level (e.g., Australia) • Physical approach: air space ends where the air cannot support the machine any more (von Kárman line). Calculations of that line differ, 84 km -100 km. Member States responsible for the “space” part of journey • States must authorize and supervise • States have responsibility to certify spaceworthiness • EASA not responsible for the space part of the flight

  7. EADS Astrium • In 2007, announced plans for a 4-passenger spaceplane • Two turbofan engines for takeoff; at 12 km the rocket engine takes over to maximum altitude of 100 km. • The first flight was planned for 2012. • January partnership announcement • Singapore will build a small-scale demonstrator to test aerodynamics • No engines, and will be about 3 meters long. • Not officially launched • After launch, seven years before certification 

  8. EADS Spaceplane

  9. FAST 20XX Future High-Altitude High-Speed Transport (FAST) 20XX • Part of the EU’s Seventh Framework Program (only for early-stage technology studies) and run on behalf of the Commission by ESA. • ALPHA, is a suborbital, hybrid propulsion vehicle with six passengers • Air-launched like SpaceShipOne. • Estimated date of 2015.

  10. ALPHA/Phoenix

  11. SpaceLinq • Europe's first spaceflight operator, in Holland at Lelystad Airport • Market:Microgravity research, astronomy, climate research, and small satellite launch. • Spacelinervehicle will seat one pilot plus five customers • For research purposes the rear seats are removed • Uses turbojet engines for takeoff and landing and a liquid oxygen / kerosene main rocket engine to power the ascent to space. • Flights can be expected to take place as soon as June, 2015.

  12. Spacelinq

  13. KLM/Curacao • KLM to sell tickets for XCOR Lynx Mark II flights by 2014 • Launch from Space Experience Curaçao. • The Lynx, a piloted, two seat, reusable, liquid rocket powered vehicle that takes off and lands horizontally.  • Lynx production models are being offered on a wet lease basis. • Space Experience provides launch for space tourism flights and scientific research missions out of Space Port Curaçao. 

  14. Lynx Flight Profile

  15. Conclusions: How Can Europe Support Private Spaceflight? 1. Develop a Favorable Regulatory Environment for Space Tourism in the Europe • Ensure European companies wishing to be involved in the space tourism industry can compete on a level playing field. • Make Europe a favorable location for Space Tourism ventures. 2. Develop a European Manufacturing & Service Capability for Sub-Orbital Vehicles • Invest in Europe’s technological and manufacturing future • Building towards orbital capability

  16. Thank You!

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