t/Space drop tests booster models
Posted: Wed, Jun 15, 2005, 8:22 AM ET (1222 GMT)
Transformational Space Corp. (t/Space) announced Tuesday that it has successfully completed a series of drop tests of a scale model of a booster that the company proposes to use to launch manned spacecraft into orbit. The three drop tests, carried out by t/Space and its partner, Scaled Composites between May 24 and June 14, involved a 23-percent scale model of the booster, carried aloft and then released from underneath Scaled's Proteus aircraft. The tests successfully demonstrated a release technique that allows the booster to tilt to the vertical after release and fire its engines while behind the carrier aircraft, a system t/Space says is safer than horizontally air-launched vehicles like Pegasus and SpaceShipOne, and eliminates the need for wings. t/Space has proposed using a full-sized version of the booster to a launch the Crew Transfer Vehicle (CXV), a four-person spacecraft that the company has offered to develop for NASA to fulfill the needs of the Vision for Space Exploration.
Transformational Space Corp. (t/Space) announced Tuesday that it has successfully completed a series of drop tests of a scale model of a booster that the company proposes to use to launch manned spacecraft into orbit. The three drop tests, carried out by t/Space and its partner, Scaled Composites between May 24 and June 14, involved a 23-percent scale model of the booster, carried aloft and then released from underneath Scaled's Proteus aircraft. The tests successfully demonstrated a release technique that allows the booster to tilt to the vertical after release and fire its engines while behind the carrier aircraft, a system t/Space says is safer than horizontally air-launched vehicles like Pegasus and SpaceShipOne, and eliminates the need for wings. t/Space has proposed using a full-sized version of the booster to a launch the Crew Transfer Vehicle (CXV), a four-person spacecraft that the company has offered to develop for NASA to fulfill the needs of the Vision for Space Exploration.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, March 9
Two moon missions touched down on the lunar surface. How they unfolded was a stark contrast
CNN — 9:20 am ET (1320 GMT) China’s progress on ‘game-changing’ space technology raises US concerns about closing gap
South China Morning Post — 9:18 am ET (1318 GMT) Fleet Space unveils new global HQ and space tech hyper factory
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter — 9:14 am ET (1314 GMT) How Las Cruces lost the Spaceport America Cup
Albuquerque Journal — 9:13 am ET (1313 GMT) NASA launches plush mascot contest for next moon mission
Huntsville Times — 9:11 am ET (1311 GMT) |
