RLS 60 T

Main Goals of the Project

The project “European 60T LEO Reusable Launch System pathfinder study” is aimed at conducting a European-level feasibility study for a super-heavy reusable launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 60 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The initiative builds on ESA preparatory activities for future launch systems and aims to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in space transportation. The objectives are:

• To define an end-to-end derisking roadmap for future reusable launch systems.
• Conduct preliminary analyses of technical, industrial, economic, and market aspects in order to assess the feasibility of the initiative and support the definition of a business case and a financially sustainable plan.
• To assess operational scenarios from LEO to Beyond LEO (BLEO), for both cargo and crewed missions.
• To lay the groundwork for a potential future design and development phase.

CIRA Activities in the Project

CIRA contributes to the project with a specific focus on the conceptual design of the Thermal Protection System (TPS) and on the study of the aerodynamic performance of the launcher’s second stage. Its activities include preliminary aerodynamic analyses aimed at defining the second-stage configuration, sizing the aerodynamic control surfaces, and generating a dedicated aerodynamic database for the re-entry phase. In parallel, CIRA supports the identification of critical and enabling technologies required for program de-risking and contributes to the definition of development and qualification plans for the subsequent development phase.

General Project Information

Funding Programme: ESA - Euopean Space Agency

Start Date: 01/03/2025; End Date: 30/04/2026

Coordinating Organization: The Exploration Company

Partners: Avio S.p.A.,  Almatech, Beyond Gravity , IDS – Ingegneria dei Sistemi, Leaf Space, MT Aerospace, Onera, Sabca, Sener Aerospacial, Space Dreams, Starbust, CIRA

CIRA Contact: Francesca Maria Pisano, f.pisano@cira.it