Vortex Spaceplane Demo Targets Thermal Protection, Controls

PARIS—The French Vortex spaceplane demonstrator program will aim to validate heat shield technology and different control capabilities once it takes flight in about three years.

“We must invest in disruptive capabilities which can combine reactivity, autonomy and resilience,” Maj. Gen. Philippe Koffi, head of strategy for air, land and naval combat systems at the French defense procurement agency DGA, said at the Space Defense & Security Summit here.

France in June disclosed a joint investment with Dassault Aviation in the Vortex spaceplane demonstrator, with an aim to get to orbit before the end of 2028. The combined budget is about €70 million ($83 million), split equally between the two sides.

The 4-m (13-ft.)-long Vortex D demonstrator that weighs less than 1 metric ton will be launched to an altitude of around 100 km (62 mi.) and fly at Mach 10-12. The goal is to validate the system architecture and technologies such as thermal protection and reaction jet controls for exoatmospheric operations and aerodynamic controls when within the atmosphere, he said.

“The point is not to build an operational system, but demonstrate viability,” he added.

France has said the demonstrator will be launched by a Rocket Lab Electron.

Dassault is hoping to secure European Space Agency financial backing for the program, potentially by bringing on other countries.

“Like the Neuron demonstrator paved the way for combat drones, UCAVs, in Europe, so Vortex will pave the way to reusable space systems. And what's remarkable here is the mindset. It's a low-cost and rapid demonstrator, so less than three years and less than €70 million,” Koffi said.

The longer-term goal is to bring about a system that could deploy satellites or carry sensors and deploy them to orbit within hours, rather than days or months. Recovery of critical assets or using it for space control also could be on the agenda. The system's maneuverability also makes it harder for an adversary to contend with, giving it deterrent value, Koffi said.

If a constellation seems under threat, “we can intercept the object, inspect the object and even tow it to another orbit,” Koffi said. “In another scenario, we can also imagine that we have critical technologies in orbit, and we can bring them back rapidly.”