RLV candidates for European Future Launchers Preparatory Programme

ESA's Future Launcher Preparatory Programme (FLPP) includes system activities and technology developments on materials and structures and propulsion. The overall approach is system-driven, i.e. FLPP aims at defining reference launcher concepts from which will be derived a demonstration logic including in-flight experimental vehicles, and technology development requirements.The paper addresses the launcher concepts studies, and more specifically the analysis of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) concepts that has been performed in the first part of the FLPP program. The paper provides first elements on the mission requirements, the operations and the ground facilities for the RLV concepts selected as potential FLPP candidates.In particular, operations will likely have a heavy impact on the operability and on the launch cost of RLVs; in this sense, most of the paper content is dedicated to discuss specific operation features, and related infrastructure elements, linked to the considered RLVs.At last, a brief presentation of the next steps of the launcher system activities inside the FLPP is given.