Prototype for the custom-made Spaceliner
ACCENTFORM produced a prototype for the demonstration of a Spaceliner (passenger transporter) with an additional booster stage (rockets). A wide variety of manufacturing processes were used to customize the model. For the filigree components, such as the curved wings, negative production molds were CNC-milled from PU model boards. Geometrically simpler components, such as the aircraft fuselage, could be produced directly as a positive model made of glass fiber reinforced plastic. The surface finish and all installations were carried out by our client Creative Services KG.
FUNCTION OF THE OBJECT
The vision is tempting – board in Europe, lean back and get off again 90 minutes later on the other side of the world in Australia. However, before the SpaceLiner, which is being developed by the Institute of Space Systems at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), can fly this route for the first time, new technologies still have to be tested and the framework conditions defined.
The concept is already in place: DLR’s SpaceLiner is to stand upright like a space shuttle before take-off and set off on its journey using rocket engines. The reusable booster stage separates from the orbiter after the first thrust, with space for 50 passengers in the passenger capsule. After eight minutes, the gliding flight would begin at 20 times the speed of sound. After around 80 minutes, the plane lands on a normal runway, just like a normal airplane. A project for which there are no existing role models: “We have to
dimensions ourselves and approach the SpaceLiner with computer models,” says DLR project coordinator Martin Sippel. “The SpaceLiner is a challenge in terms of technology and operation.”
Source: DLR press release
Project details on the custom-made prototype
Customer
Dimensions
Model length: 2783.3mm
Span: 1200mm
Height: 720mm
Project number
P 20-12,
P 20-13
P 14021
