Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: Dassault Aviation

At the Paris Air Show last week, Dassault Aviation, announced the signing of an agreement to support the development of a spaceplane demonstrator.

This demonstrator is seen as the first step in developing a family of spaceplanes called VORTEX, which stands for Véhicule Orbital Réutilisable de Transport et d’Exploration.

These demonstration objectives are an essential step in reducing technological uncertainties and preparing for future decisions on operational space capabilities, both military and civilian, stated Dassault Aviation.

Image credit: Dassault Aviation

Crossroads of aviation, space technologies

“Like Dassault Aviation’s civil and military aircraft,” Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, “the VORTEX spaceplane is designed to be highly versatile. It will contribute to transforming the uses of the space sector and opening up new fields of application.”

Trappier said the Vortex is at the crossroads of aviation and space technologies, and will “undoubtedly pave the way for a new generation of space aeronautics, consolidating France’s strategic position as a leading space power.”

Dassault Aviation is a French aerospace company that designs and builds military aircraft, business jets and space systems.

Image credit: Dassault Aviation/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Phased approach

The VORTEX spaceplane is designed to be highly versatile, drawing on an incremental, phased innovation process to initiate, adapt and accelerate the development of spaceplane capabilities.

Phase 1 : VORTEX – D – Flight Demonstrator Scale 1:3

Phase 2: VORTEX – S – Smart Free Flyer Scale 2:3

Phase 3: VORTEX – C – Cargo Scale 1:1

Phase 4: VORTEX – M – Manned Scale 1:1

Array of missions

Among VORTEX objectives is control of hypersonic flight, developing advanced thermal protection technologies and flight control capabilities.

Designed to operate in space and return to Earth like an aircraft, these dual-use vehicles would support an array of missions, including: transport to space stations; retrieval of objects; payload delivery; as well as in-orbit servicing, policing and intervention.

Go to this video at:

https://www.dassault-aviation.tv/en/theme_0/2334/VORTEX__2025_Paris_Air_Show.html

Image credit: Dassault Aviation