Spaceplane HERMES : Europe's dream of independent manned spaceflight /

Spaceplane HERMES : Europe's dream of independent manned spaceflight /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Abeelen, Luc van den, author.
Imprint:Cham, Switzerland : Springer, [2017]
Description:1 online resource
Language:English
Series:Springer-Praxis books in space exploration
Springer-Praxis books in space exploration.
Subject:
Space vehicles.
Manned space flight.
Manned space flight.
Space vehicles.
Electronic book.
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11269606
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:9783319444727
3319444727
9783319444703
3319444700
Digital file characteristics:text file PDF
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed December 28, 2016).
Summary:This is the first comprehensive book on the European Hermes program. It tells the fascinating story of how Europe aimed for an independent manned spaceflight capability which was to complement US and Soviet/Russian space activities. In 1975, France decided to expand its plans for automated satellites for materials processing to include the development of a small 10 ton spaceplane to be launched on top of a future heavy-lifting Ariane rocket. This Hermes spaceplane would give Europe its own human spaceflight capability for shuttling crews between Earth and space stations. The European Space Agency backed the proposal. Unfortunately, after detailed studies, the project was cancelled in 1993. If Hermes had been introduced into service, it could have become the preferred "space taxi" for ferrying crews to and from the International Space Station. But that opportunity was lost. This book provides the first look of the complete story of and reasons for the demise of this ambitious program. It also gives an account which pieces of Hermes survived and are active in the 2nd decade of the 21st century. This fascinating story will be a great read for space enthusiasts. But it will also serve as a comprehensive documentation of an important episode in the history of manned spaceflight.
Other form:Printed edition: 9783319444703
Standard no.:10.1007/978-3-319-44472-7
Table of Contents:
  • Foreword by Jean-Jaques Dordain, ESA Director General 2003-2015; Acknowledgements; Contents; Introduction; Chapter 1: Origins: Re-entry Vehicles and Orbital Factories (1946-1983); 1.1 Rockets and Warheads; 1.2 The Nord Aviation VERAS; 1.3 The Dassault TAS; 1.4 Bumerang and Orbiter; 1.5 Spiral; 1.6 The European Space Agency and Ariane; 1.7 An Ariane-4 Capsule?; 1.8 Early Aerospatiale Hermes Studies; 1.9 The MINOS, SOLARIS and TRISAT Orbital Platforms; References; Chapter 2: Getting Serious: CNES Develops a Concept (1983-1985); 2.1 Politicians Warm to the Idea; 2.2 The Effect of `Star Warś
  • 2.3 Sketching Out Hermes2.4 Finding Hermes ́Prime Contractor; 2.5 A European Spaceplane; 2.6 Results from Rome; 2.7 Hermes Shapes Up; 2.8 The Aerospatiale Proposal; 2.9 The Dassault Proposal; 2.10 Facts and Figures; References; Chapter 3: One or the Other: Selecting the Prime Contractor (1985); 3.1 The Challenge of Designing a Small Spaceplane; 3.2 Behind the Scenes; 3.3 Presentation at Villepinte; 3.4 France and Fair Return; 3.5 The Hermes Spaceplane; 3.6 Germany in Hermes; 3.7 Germanyś Space History; 3.8 German Intentions Remain Unclear; References.
  • Chapter 4: Safety Rethink: The Challenger Accident (1986)4.1 Reaction from Europe; 4.2 Hermes 5M1; 4.3 Germany Delays Hermes Decision; 4.4 Ernst Högenauer Fights for Hermes; 4.5 Hermes ́Destination: The MTFF; 4.6 Ariane 5 Gets a Boost; 4.7 Awaiting Maia; References; Chapter 5: The Road Not Taken: CNES Decides Against Maia (1987); 5.1 Maia Studies; 5.2 The VEH; 5.3 Hermes Preparatory Programme; 5.4 Rising Costs Across the Board; 5.5 The Hague Delayed; 5.6 Revised Ariane 5-Hermes Baseline Configuration; 5.7 Hermes 5M2; 5.7.1 Internal Layout; 5.7.2 Hermes Propulsion Module (HPM).
  • 5.8 Hermes and Ariane 55.9 Hermes Development Programme; 5.9.1 Costs; 5.10 The UK and Germany Continue National Plans; References; Chapter 6: The Hague: Adoption by ESA (1987-1988); 6.1 Great Expectations and Mixed Results; 6.2 The `Triad:́ Hermes, Columbus and Ariane 5; 6.2.1 Hermes 5M2; 6.2.2 Columbus; 6.2.3 Ariane 5; 6.3 Managing the Three Programmes; 6.3.1 Hermes-Columbus; 6.3.2 Hermes-Ariane 5; 6.4 Industrial Organisation; 6.5 Hermes ́Two-Phase Approach; 6.5.1 Objectives of Phase 1; 6.5.2 Phase 1 Content; 6.5.2.1 Overall System Level; 6.5.2.2 Spaceplane; 6.5.2.3 Ground Segment.
  • 6.5.2.4 Crew Systems and EVA/IVA Equipment6.5.2.5 Payload Installation and Support Equipment; 6.5.3 Reviews; References; Chapter 7: Ever Growing: Hermes Gains a Module (1988-1989); 7.1 An Evolving Design; 7.2 Hermes 5MX; 7.3 What Size for the Docking Unit?; 7.4 The Proś and Cons of C, D and E; 7.5 Managing the Programme; 7.6 Progress on the Crew Escape Module; 7.7 Preliminary Requirements Review; 7.8 RDP-A; 7.9 The Soviet Connection; References; Chapter 8: Competition and the Others: Spacecraft from Around the World; 8.1 HOTOL; 8.2 SÄNGER; 8.3 STAR-H; 8.4 BAe Multirole Capsule; 8.5 NASP.

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