The ERC campaign
will require the release of drop-bodies (DTVs) from three separate balloons.
The aim is to provide tests of three Earth re-entry capsule shapes, to validate the designs and provide a detailed aerodynamic characterization of the selected configurations via free flights by means of balloon drop tests.
A total of six capsules will be tested. The programme is managed by Vorticity Ltd on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA).
There will be three different test vehicles attached to a suspension bar.
The different vehicles comprise a full-scale ERC test vehicle and a SHAPE test vehicle.
General information
| Launch site | Esrange Space Center |
| Launch date | 1st drop test launched on June 15
2nd drop-test launched on June 21 3rd drop-test launched on Aug 5 |
| Mass/kg | 503,2 kg |
| Balloon size | Zodiac 50SF |
| Height | Flight termination at ~28 and ~35 km |
Contact persons:
Mr. Mark Smith, Project Manager SSC mark.smith@sscspace.com
John Underwood, Vorticity Ltd John.Underwood@vorticity-systems.com
