Posted on 09/20/2022 3:35:52 PM PDT by BenLurkin
SUSIE, short for Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration, was introduced to the world at the International Astronautical Congress held in Paris from September 18 to 22. The fully reusable upper stage could eventually serve as an automated freighter and payload transporter, as well as a spacecraft for crewed missions carrying a crew of up to five astronauts. SUSIE remains a concept for now, but if realized, the spacecraft would support various European space endeavours for years to come.
Europe’s private space industry has fallen a bit behind its American counterparts in terms of developing reusable vehicles. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is a reusable two-stage rocket that has flown to space nearly 200 times, while the company’s reusable Dragon capsules, whether for cargo or crews, are now in steady circulation.
SUSIE will initially launch onboard the company’s heavy-lift Ariane 6 vehicle, which is scheduled for its inaugural flight in 2023. The large upper stage could be used to transport all sorts of payloads to orbit and even assist in the orbital construction of large infrastructure, such as space stations. For its return trip home, the spacecraft could be packed with upwards of 14,000 pounds (7 tons) of cargo and supplies.
(Excerpt) Read more at gizmodo.com ...
Poor Susie, she’s a day late and a dime short - SpaceX’s Starship is already in advanced testing and awaiting FAA approval for its first sub orbital flight.
SUSIE remains a concept for now
These people can’t even field an army. They need us to protect them.
Whatever happened to that huge cargo-carrying blimp?
The Fourth Reich has fielded two armies in the Urkaine. The one it created after the 2014 coup was banged up pretty badly in the first half of the war, and so the Reich raised a second one in a matter of months and sent it into action.
Hi, correct me if I’m wrong here, but SN-15 did the suborbital already. The FAA will approve the first orbital flight, probably using ship 7, and booster 24.
Here’s a link for others to check out SN-15’s flight details and videos.
https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn15-launch-landing-success
A firefly class transport ship.
The Firefly-class transport ship is a series of Multipurpose, Mid-Bulk Transport boats designed by Allied Spacecraft Corporation. The hulls and engines are constructed at ASC’s shipyard at New Burbank, Osiris, with final outfitting being outsourced to a dozen smaller companies, including the newly formed Firefly Ship Works on Hera.
would have loved to see Sam Kinison do a bit on “space exploration”:
Space Exploration? What’s there to explore? IT’S SPACE! THERE’S NOTHING IN IT! BY DEFINITION!
What do they expect to find? MORE NOTHING?
I heard a few years ago that France and Britain — and maybe Germany? — were collaborating on some kind of space vehicle. I wonder what became of that.
Yeah, and Bezos’ Blue Origin is way ahead. :^)
Arianespace has been getting some things done since their last major scrub, including managing to launch the Webb (kudos for that!).
That would have been a cool, cutting edge concept they have there...back when Bush was POTUS.
Either one.
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