News

07.04.2020

Maiden Flight of Demonstrator and Technology Testbed "STELLA"

In early April, the 2.5 m long subscale configuration demonstrator and technology testbed STELLA performed its first flight. STELLA reproduces the shape of the later Aurora launch vehicle and is propelled by kerosene-fed turbojet engines. Main purpose is the evaluation of the take-off and landing as well as subsonic flight characteristics of the Aurora configuration. Furthermore, STELLA will be used as testbed for technology and subsystem testing, especially for automated flight control systems.

STELLA is the result of a cooperation between POLARIS and the City University of Applied Sciences Bremen (HSB). A big Thank You to the HSB team for their hard work and the excellent cooperation, and to world-class drone pilot Niels Herbrich for successfully executing the maiden flight!

Watch two short videos from take-off (micros on!):

13.01.2020

ESA RESOLVE Study Kick-Off

The ESA-funded RESOLVE study investigates different options for future reusable launch vehicles. The study is led by DLR, and involves Elecnor Deimos from Spain and POLARIS Raumflugzeuge. The study is focused on winged launch vehicles, including horizontal and vertical take-off solutions. RESOLVE will run until end of 2020.