RpK: K-1 payload redesigned; sign Bigelow LOI

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Flight article....<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><b>NASA helps define COTS module</b><br /><br />Rocketplane-Kistler is developing, with the help of NASA and its astronauts, pressurised and unpressurised versions of the new cargo module that will be an integrated part of the second-stage orbital vehicle for its fully reusable K-1 launcher.<br /><br /><b><font color="yellow">Although the K-1's first and second stages are already beyond their preliminary design reviews and approaching critical design reviews, RpK's selection by NASA for its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services demonstration programme has required a substantial redesign of what was the payload module.<br /><br />Conceived as a satellite launcher, the K-1's second-stage orbital vehicle must now dock with the International Space Station. The company has also signed a letter of intent with commercial space station developer Bigelow Aerospace to provide transport from 2012 to a private orbital complex.</font></b><br /><br />The new 3.5m (11.4ft)-long cargo module retains the original payload module's thermal protection system-covered blunt-body nosecone, which is its leading edge when it re-enters the atmosphere to land.<br /><br />"We are working with NASA and the ISS crews to define the cargo module," says RpK vice president chief of staff Bob Seto. He adds that RpK is making substantial progress with the documentation process for Australia's equivalent of a spaceport licence as the company plans to launch the K-1 from the Woomera test site from 2009.<br /><br />The first stage will return to the test facility with a goal of landing within a 1,800m (6,000ft)-diameter area using a rocket engine and air bags and parachutes. The second stage may land elsewhere. RpK is also considering US spaceports for launching and landing both stages.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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Andrews is up to more than that;<br /><br />Link....<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p><b>Andrews space to work with US AIR FORCE on Fast Program</b><br /><br />SEATTLE, WA, March 19, 2007 — ­ The Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) recently selected Andrews Space to help develop their Fully-Reusable Access to Space Technologies (FAST) program. The purpose of this effort is to design the program requirements for a series of technology experiments that will enable the development of an Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) capability for the nation. With this significant contract award, Andrews will conduct a three month study of the options available for experiments in the key technologies for an ORS system.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />Read: rapid launch space weaponry technologies.<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>According to Jess Sponable, AFRL Program Manager, “The FAST program is a set of ground experiments that will advance and transition a set of reusable access to space technologies and support the future acquisition of reusable, rocket-powered spacelift systems.” <br /> /><br />Andrews is currently involved in other reusable launch systems including the Ares 1 vehicle with ATK and NASA as well as the Rocketplane Kistler K-1 vehicle for NASA’s CTOS program."<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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