The Flight of Phoenix

Bengt Persson, FMV, Linköping, Sweden
Hilbert Gustafsson, FMV, Linköping, Sweden

Abstract

During spring 2000, North European Aerospace Test Range (NEAT) started discussions with EADS Space Transportation at Bremen, Germany on how to carry out flight tests on a functional scaled down model (Phoenix) of a future Reusable launch vehicle (RLV/Hopper). The ultimate goal for EADS ST was to verify the performance of the Phoenix test vehicle including its flight control and navigation systems etc, by auto landing on the runway at the FMV Vidsel test site.

The way ahead to perform all necessary design, test qualification activities to guarantee airworthiness, performance, safety, quality etc to perform the task within a flight test or ganisation, earlier reduced in capacity by economic demands, is described. The performance included design and verification of a system including necessary test data instrumentation, capable of carrying the 1200 kg Phoenix test vehicle to the release point at app. 5 km from the runway threshold to auto land.

The presentation will also show that collaboration between different organisations within and outside the responsible test organisation can be used to fulfil a task and lead to a successfully completed mission. Three flights were performed with the Phoenix test vehicle, all with successful landings with roll out on the runway centre line.