The German newspaper Hartpunkt has reported that the German Federal Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support Office has signed a contract for the development of a reusable, two-stage hypersonic research spacecraft.
The project’s execution, including the development of the spacecraft, production of future variants, and flight tests of the full-scale model, has been entrusted to the German startup POLARIS Raumflugzeuge. The spacecraft is intended to serve as a hypersonic test platform for defence and scientific research.
Advantages of the Reusable Spacecraft
Thanks to its innovative, reusable design, the spacecraft is expected to shorten launch preparation times and lower costs for launching small satellites. POLARIS aims to develop a fully reusable spaceplane prototype capable of carrying payloads of up to 1,000 kilograms by 2028.
Military and Intelligence Applications
The company is exploring the possibility of using the spacecraft not only for scientific research but also as a space reconnaissance plane immune to anti-satellite weapons. This would provide the German Armed Forces with real-time intelligence data and enhance superiority against enemy threats.
Prototype Development Process
POLARIS is producing progressively larger prototypes throughout the development process. The most advanced model to date is approximately five metres long and weighs 240 kilograms. The company plans to conduct the first flight of a spaceplane measuring eight metres in length and weighing between 1.5 and 2 tonnes by the end of 2025.
The ninth prototype, ordered by the German Ministry of Defence, will be used to test technological capabilities. POLARIS is currently conducting technology demonstrations with eight prototypes.
Similar Developments in the US
According to a report by Militarnyi, the US company Stratolaunch has also signed a $24.7 million contract with the US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) for hypersonic aircraft testing. The contract includes conducting tests using the modified Boeing 747-400 aircraft of the Spirit of Mojave carrier.
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