The program’s objective is to develop an ultra light-weight propellant tank with a sandwich common bulkhead for a Next Generation Launcher. During the 22-month technology program several development models, based on a concept patented by MT Aerospace, will be manufactured and tested. The contract with Astrium as prime contractor for this effort was signed on 13 July 2010.

"MT Aerospace, responsible for the development and production of the metallic tank, intends to demonstrate a most promising design solution – offering lightest weight and highest performance“, said Hans Steininger, CEO of MT Aerospace on the occasion of contract signature.

The new upper stage tank with integrated chambers for liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen shall have a capacity of 29.3 tons. This will enable a new upper stage to transport payloads of up to 11.2 tons into geostationary transfer orbit.

The design concept proposed by MT Aerospace showing a 40 mm thin sandwich bulkhead between the cold liquid hydrogen (-253 °C) and the comparatively warm liquid oxygen (-183 °C) is about 40% lighter than a twin bulkhead with vacuum chamber. Its insulation properties are 10-times better in comparison to an alternative concept with a wet internal insulation. A final decision on the tank concept will be taken in a preliminary design review planned for the end of 2011.