Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) for development of a GOLauncher 1, a single-stage air launched liquid rocket vehicle designed to fly suppressed trajectories for hypersonic flight research applications.
Booster systems capable of flying suppressed trajectories increase flexibility for experimental payloads to high Mach number, high dynamic pressure test environments. The nine-month effort worth $150,000 will focus on requirements definition, configuration trade studies, and trajectory design space exploration.
“Rooted in the success of the HIFiRE program’s philosophy, we believe GOLauncher 1 will provide longer duration testing with the flexibility to maximize accessibility to flight conditions of interest to the hypersonic research and development community at an affordable cost,” commented A.J. Piplica, the Principal Investigator on the effort. “Generation Orbit’s solution to improving access to test windows of interest for hypersonic flight testing calls for a novel air launched liquid rocket booster system specifically designed for flying suppressed trajectories. We expect a large amount of traceability, in terms of both technology and operations, between GOLauncher 1 and the GOLauncher family.”
AFRL project manager, Barry Hellman, also commented on the program. “As the Air Force works toward next-generation hypersonic systems, flexible and affordable flight testing stands as a key enabler for technology development and operational demonstrations. The combination of air launch and liquid-fueled rockets has the potential to open the diversity of trajectories we can fly.”
About Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc.
Atlanta-based Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) focuses on providing fast, flexible, and dedicated space transportation services for small payloads. GOLauncher 2 supplies microsatellite, nanosatellite, and CubeSat customers with reliable and affordable access to space. The unique air launch approach developed by GO and its development partners offers flexible launch capabilities, poised to reduce fixed infrastructure needs, launch costs, and the time from contract signature to launch. Air launch system experience at GO dates back over 10 years, providing a distinct advantage throughout the design and analysis process. As a systems integrator, GO compiles multiple aspects of the launch architecture to provide a streamlined service to scientists, researchers, and industry customers alike.
For more information, visit GO on the web at www.generationorbit.com and follow GO on Twitter @generationorbit.
