Sänger II

Saenger II, EHTV/HORUS

Mission Profile

Sänger II was a West German two-stage-to-orbit hypersonic launch vehicle concept developed by MBB (Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm) and studied intensively in the 1980s and early 1990s as Germany's contribution to European horizontal-takeoff space launch research. The design featured a large supersonic carrier aircraft that would fly to high altitude and speed before releasing an upper stage — designated HORUS — to complete the ascent to orbit. Standing approximately 84 meters in total length with a concept payload of 10,000 kg to LEO, Sänger II attracted significant European interest as an alternative to conventional vertical-launch rockets. The program was ultimately cancelled in 1995 as ESA and European national agencies concluded that the technical challenges and costs exceeded the projected benefits compared to the Ariane 5.