VEGA
POLARIS Raumflugzeuge
VEGA is a fully reusable, two-stage, horizontally launched spaceplane designed as a hypersonic testbed that can also serve as a small-satellite launcher.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- TRL
- 5
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Configuration
- Two-stage, fully reusable, horizontal launch
- Primary role
- Hypersonic research and experimental testbed
- Secondary role
- Small-satellite launcher (with expendable upper stage)
- Program sponsor
- German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw)
- TRL
- 4-5 (design contract awarded, follow-on manufacturing/flight-test options)
About
VEGA is a reusable two-stage spaceplane developed by POLARIS, primarily intended to serve as a hypersonic testbed and experimental platform. In a secondary function, the vehicle can be used as a small-satellite launcher by employing an expendable upper stage. POLARIS has been awarded a contract by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the design of the two-stage, horizontally launched, and fully reusable hypersonic research vehicle. The agreement also includes follow-on options for manufacturing and flight testing of the full-scale system.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.