1 Concept Study of Flight Experiment to Realize Next Generation Launch System*

The study of the research and development scenario for the next generation launch system restarted when three research and development centers were establishes in Office of Space Flight and Operations in JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) in August 2007. In this scenario, two programs are expected to be the main frame. The first one is next flagship launch vehicle, which is aiming to obtain global competitiveness by achieving the cost efficiency and reliability. The other one is more advanced space transportation system with the new type of configuration, different from the next flagship launch vehicle with the conventional expendable rocket type. Research and development plan to realize advanced space transportation system was discussed, and it became clear that to reduce the operation cost could be a break through on the stagnation of the space transportation system and the technologies such as health management should be the key to reinforce safety, reliability, and operability. A concept of experiment vehicle to demonstrate health management and flight management technologies was studied. In the baseline concept, its configuration is rocket-powered winged body. It