SpaceDev Begins Development Small Launch Vehicle

yree · Apr 10, 2005

SpaceDev Begins Development of its Small Launch Vehicle SpaceDev Streaker Click here to see downloadable versions The SpaceDev Streaker(TM) Hybrid Upper Stage is shown with blue nozzles. (Graphic: Business Wire) POWAY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2005--SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) has signed a lease to expand its fabrication and test facilities and to begin constructing portable, high tech rocket motor test support equipment in anticipation of test firing new rocket motors that SpaceDev is developing for its low-cost expendable small launch vehicle called SpaceDev Streaker(TM). Under an Air Force Research Laboratory contract announced last October, SpaceDev has designed and will begin development of the SpaceDev Streaker(TM) Hybrid Upper Stage rocket motor. This motor is expected to produce approximately 20,000 pounds of thrust, in contrast to the 15,000 pounds of thrust produced by SpaceDev's hybrid rocket motor technology for Paul Allen's SpaceShipOne. In addition, the Company plans to boost overall performance of this upper stage motor using new techniques and refining current techniques that go beyond that of traditional hybrid motors. "This additional SpaceDev facility will also be located in Poway, California. It will add approximately 11,000 square feet of fabrication space in which we will construct rocket motor development equipment that will be highly adaptable and mobile. This equipment is being built on several large flatbed trailers to maximize mobility and system test flexibility," said Jim Benson, founding chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This new rocket motor test equipment should be applicable to a wide variety of future hybrid rocket motor developments." SpaceDev is planning to construct its rocket motor test stand with the capability of handling up to 250,000 pounds of thrust. The test stand will be designed to support the 20,000 pounds of thrust produced by the Hybrid Upper Stage motor,

yree · Apr 17, 2005

Entry Material Agreement, Financial Statements and Exhibits Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Effective April 14, 2005, SpaceDev, Inc. has entered into a 16-month lease to expand its fabrication and test facilities. This additional SpaceDev facility will also be located in Poway, California. It will add approximately 11,000 square feet of fabrication space and cost the Company approximately $107,000 over the term of the lease. SpaceDev plans to use the new facilities to begin construction of portable, high tech rocket motor test support equipment in anticipation of test firing new rocket motors being developed for its low-cost expendable small launch vehicle, SpaceDev Streaker(TM). Under an Air Force Research Laboratory contract announced last October, SpaceDev has designed and will begin development of the SpaceDev Streaker(TM) hybrid upper stage rocket motor. ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (c) Exhibits.

yree · Apr 21, 2005

Rockets Away! -An Ezine Devoted to Commercial Spaceflight- http://www.rocketsaway.net/ezine/2005/Issue_4.htm http://www.rocketsaway.net/audio/jim_benson/benson_ra_interview4_3242005.mp3

yree · Apr 27, 2005

Broadcast 330 (Special Edition) Listen to the show! Aired on April 24th, 2005 Guest: Jim Benson Jim Benson returned to The Space Show to update us on SpaceDev and to bring us other important news regarding the alt.space community. Mr. Benson began the interview by responding my question about young college grads going into the alt.space world for careers. He said they were interviewing lots of engineering applicants, that SpaceDev was hiring several engineers and that the available talent pool was growing and was very high quality. This represents a positive change which he felt has come about because of SpaceShipOne, the Moon Mars and Beyond program and the changes implemented in the space field including NASA, FAA AST and more. When asked about the new NASA Administrator, Mike Griffin, he was positive about the the potential and realizes very well how crucial it is for NASA to make the changes within the organization to facilitate the Moon Mars and Beyond vision program. Mr. Benson spoke about his vision for SpaceDev and how it is being implemented. He referred listeners to the SpaceDev website and their plan for the future which is spelled out with charts and diagrams on the site. You will want to hear his comments on the importance of vision and holding that vision at all employment and company levels. We also talked about the suborbital and space tourism business, the entrepreneurial companies working on making vehicles and which vehicles if any he himself would ride on. Listen to the program for the answer and the surprise vehicle that SpaceDev is working on with a person from Australia that Jim himself wants to "drive!" Mr. Benson updated us on the U.S. Space Foundation Conference that was recently held in Colorado Springs and in response to questions about the military, specifically the Air Force, Mr. Benson addressed military space issues and commercial opportunities coming from military space. In response to a listener question, Mr. Benson a

yree · May 6, 2005

SpaceDev Awarded Air Force Research Laboratory Phase I Innovation Research Contract to Develop Small Launch Vehicle Avionics POWAY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2005--SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) has been awarded an Air Force Research Laboratory Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract, worth approximately $100,000. This new project is focused on the development of standardized, miniaturized, lower-cost avionics for small launch vehicles, such as SpaceDev Streaker(TM) being developed by the Company under a separate Air Force contract. This project will lay the foundation for modern, responsive, and scalable launch vehicle avionics. SpaceDev's goal is to leverage its successful "microcomputer-like" corporate culture to increase the responsiveness of launch vehicles and to reduce the mass of the avionics. On a medium-size launch vehicle, SpaceDev estimates that the total mass of the avionics is up to 500 kg. If the mass of the avionics is reduced by 30%, roughly two more SpaceDev CHIPSat-type microsats could be launched on the same vehicle. SpaceDev intends to develop miniature, low-cost, highly reliable launch vehicle avionics weighing considerably less than that of existing, heavier systems. "SpaceDev engineers are very excited about this project because it leverages our work for our NASA and Missile Defense Agency microsatellites, and our microsat standardization contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory," said SpaceDev founding chairman and CEO Jim Benson. "This is one more small but crucial element in our long-term strategy to reduce the cost and turnaround time to launch spacecraft of all types. We are proud of our expanding and successful relationship with the Air Force." About SpaceDev SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) creates and sells affordable and innovative space products and solutions to government and commercial enterprises. SpaceDev's innovations include the design, manufacture, marketing and operation of

yree · May 12, 2005

SpaceDev Dream Chaser-TM- Human Space Transport System Designed POWAY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2005--SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) has nearly completed a small, NASA funded preliminary study that defines a safe, affordable launch system for transportation of six passengers between Earth and low earth orbits. The launch system propulsion modules would be scaled-up versions of SpaceDev's non-explosive hybrid rocket motors. SpaceDev's proprietary hybrid rocket motor technology successfully powered SpaceShipOne on its history making flights to space. The SpaceDev Dream Chaser(TM) space transportation system would be based on a combination of existing and proven technologies and designs. "These results are very exciting and we believe even more strongly that SpaceDev can quickly develop a safe and affordable space transportation system based on existing propulsion technologies and vehicle designs," said Jim Benson, SpaceDev's founding chairman and CEO. "By combining existing technologies and designs in a unique and innovative manner, we believe we can reduce cost, risk and time to market for commercially viable human space transport." Last September, SpaceDev announced it had signed a Space Act agreement with NASA Ames Research Center to explore various designs for safe, affordable sub-orbital and orbital human space flight. SpaceDev's initial study analyzed and compared various higher performance hybrid-based propulsion modules and passenger vehicle designs. Detailed, comparative launch trajectory and re-entry analyses were performed in conjunction with the NASA Ames thermal protection team in order to evaluate the performance requirements for the propulsion modules, and to define a thermal protection system design that would provide the cost, performance and safety necessary for routine passenger flights to low orbit and back. This preliminary study resulted in the conceptual design of a six passenger vehicle combined with a set of

yree · May 17, 2005

Form 10QSB for SPACEDEV INC 16-May-2005 Quarterly Report ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS http://biz.yahoo.com/e/050516/spdv.ob10qsb.html

fcastle · May 17, 2005

It's looking good. They produced a net profit of 101,000! I think that is the first time they have been in the black (or green).

fcastle · May 17, 2005

POWAY, Calif., May 17, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SpaceDev, Inc. (SPDV) reported its financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2005. After eight successive quarters of increasing revenues and five quarters of increasing EBITDA, SpaceDev reached its most important financial milestone yet, by achieving its first quarter of both net income and positive cash flow. Happy days!

yree · May 17, 2005

spacedev http://www.vcall.com/CEPage.asp?ID=91752

grooble · May 17, 2005

I wanted to invest a little in spacedev. Any folks in the UK know how to go about it ?

tap_sa · May 17, 2005

Get an online stock brokerage account that has access to nasdaq, spacedev stock is listed there as OTCBB/SPDV. E*TRADE is one option, I bet there's a plethora of others too in UK.

yree · May 18, 2005

May 17, 2005 08:31 AM US Eastern Timezone SpaceDev Reports First Quarter Net Income; Ninth Consecutive Quarter of Revenue Growth POWAY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2005--SpaceDev, Inc. (OTCBB: SPDV) reported its financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2005. After eight successive quarters of increasing revenues and five quarters of increasing EBITDA, SpaceDev reached its most important financial milestone yet, by achieving its first quarter of both net income and positive cash flow. Revenues increased approximately 78% to approximately $1,807,000 for the first quarter ending March 31, 2005 compared to approximately $1,015,000 for the same period in 2004. This increase was primarily due to a backlog of contracts, which include a second task order valued at approximately $8.3 million with the Missile Defense Agency. This current task order kicked-off October 2004 and is part of our contract with the Missile Defense Agency worth approximately $43 million. "During the first quarter, we continued to successfully perform on our Missile Defense Agency contract, which includes up to six high performance networked microsatellites, we worked on a variety of other contracts, and we developed new business opportunities with potential new customers and our current customer base," said Jim Benson, SpaceDev's founding chairman and chief executive officer. "This was a great quarter for us because we recorded net income and revenues that beat expectations. Just last month, we entered into a lease to add approximately 11,000 square feet of fabrication space to begin construction of portable, high tech rocket motor facilities in anticipation of test firing new, larger, higher performance rocket motors that we are developing under an Air Force contract for our low-cost expendable small launch vehicle, the SpaceDev Streaker(TM)." We continued to achieve income from operations for the fifth consecutive quarter, which

yree · May 23, 2005

fcastle · May 24, 2005

Looks like SpaceDev may be getting some more business according to the article on SDC... http://www.space.com/adastra/050523_virgin_nss.html "Whitehorn noted that SpaceShipTwo will incorporate two of the more unique design features of its predecessor, the “feathering” of its tail section during reentry as well as its hybrid rocket motor. “But SpaceShipTwo will not look like SpaceShipOne,” he added."

yree · May 24, 2005

http://www.spacedev.com/images/video/Hybrid%20SS1%20Tribute%20256.wmv http://www.spacedev.com/images/video/T1%20Takeoff.rm http://www.spacedev.com/images/video/SpaceDev%20Tech%20100.rm

yree · Jun 5, 2005

yree · Jun 13, 2005

Chasing a dream Sunday 13 June 2005 US firm SpaceDev has designed a passenger vehicle for low-orbital and orbital flights for NASA, in the latest step towards commercial space travel. In a study for the space agency, the California-based company has designed the Dream Chaser, a sixpassenger concept vehicle that would use scaled-up versions of the non-explosive hybrid rocket motors used in last year's X Prizewinning SpaceShipOne. The company said the spacecraft could be used for manned low-orbital missions by 2008. The Dream Chaser's hybrid propulsion system burns rubber and nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. The 15m-long craft will be able to fly to altitudes of about 100 miles, with SpaceDev's hybrid rocket motor providing approximately six times the thrust of the motors on SpaceShipOne. It is expected to debut as a reusable piloted sub-orbital ship in initial tests. However, in the future it could be used to dock with the International Space Station or even a commercial space hotel orbiting Earth. For orbital travel the Dream Chaser would be fitted with even larger versions of the hybrid boosters. Chief executive and founder of SpaceDev Jim Benson said: 'Being able to reach and then dock with the ISS is our minimum requirement for this project. If we can reach that then we should be able to get to many other destinations in loworbit including crew exploration vehicles or commercial enterprises. 'By combining existing technologies and designs in a unique and innovative manner, we believe we can reduce the risk, cost and time to market for commercially viable human space transport,' he said. SpaceDev signed a contract last year with NASA's Ames Research Centre in northern California to develop the hi-tech passenger spacecraft and was granted access to the agency's prototype vehicles to design and test its data. The design for the reusable craft itself is partly based on versions of NASA's own prototype hyper

nacnud · Jun 14, 2005

I didn't think the hybrid engines had the energy density to reach orbit, what am I missing?

scottb50 · Jun 14, 2005

If they are big enough. The ISP is pretty close to most solids so it's only a matter of scale. A hybrid version, with the same capability as the Shuttle SRB, wouldn't have to be a whole lot bigger. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

yree · Jun 14, 2005

SpaceDev Awarded Nanosat Hybrid Propulsion Contract SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV - News) has been awarded approximately $100,000 to begin developing a nanosat hybrid propulsion system under a new Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base. "Existing high performance propulsion systems do not easily scale to nano-class satellites because they either require a larger number of parts, or they are limited in the propulsive maneuvers available. This project extends good performance, simplicity, storability, and restart capability, all advantages of the hybrid propulsion system, to nano-satellites," said SpaceDev propulsion specialist Chris Grainger. SpaceDev's latest project consists of three stages. The first stage will define the system parameters; perform trade studies and preliminary analysis of the feed, igniter system, and nozzle. The second stage will define the key components of the complete nanosat propulsion unit. The final stage involves preparing for a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract. Phase II, if awarded, would include design, fabrication and ground testing of the key components and the system as a whole. Phase III, if fully funded, would progress to a launched, fully operational nanosat hybrid propulsion system for in-space testing and demonstration. "This project fits perfectly with SpaceDev's corporate culture of developing simple, high performance, miniaturized space technologies for use in a wide variety of applications," said SpaceDev founding chairman and CEO Jim Benson. "The successful development of this unique nano-propulsion system will add important new capabilities to our small satellites and to our growing base of intellectual property." About SpaceDev http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=17110

yree · Jun 22, 2005

Suborbital Dreams: One Year After SpaceShipOne's Historic Flight By Tariq Malik Staff Writer posted: 21 June 2005 7:00 a.m. ET The future looks bright for civilian suborbital spaceflight, with a host of private firms developing spacecraft to carry anyone with a willing heart and a robust bank account on the ultimate trip. One year after the history-making suborbital space shot of SpaceShipOne, commercial spaceflight efforts continue to make headway through government regulation and technological hurdles, each with its eye on the space tourism market. On June 21, 2004, the privately-built SpaceShipOne dropped from its White Knight mothership above the Mojave Desert and rocketed into history as the first civilian-funded spacecraft to reach suborbital space with a human pilot at the helm. Built by aerospace veteran Burt Rutan and his Scaled Composites firm, SpaceShipOne went on to make two more suborbital flights within two weeks between September and October 2004. The final two flights clinched the Ansari X Prize, a $10 million challenge, for SpaceShipOne's Mojave Aerospace Ventures company backed by entrepreneur and billionaire Paul G. Allen. Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, a tourism firm licensing SpaceShipOne's technology for commercial suborbital flights, hopes to have a final design of its five-seater spacecraft by year's end. "I'm still confident we will get there this year," Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn told SPACE.com. "Suborbital space tourism will prove that governments don't need to stand behind us in order to reach space." Meanwhile, at least two firms, Canada's Canadian Arrow and New Mexico's AERA Corp., have announced plans to launch their first flights by 2007, while still others have chosen their spaceports, launch sites, completed propulsion studies or

yree · Jun 22, 2005

"If they are big enough. The ISP is pretty close to most solids so it's only a matter of scale. A hybrid version, with the same capability as the Shuttle SRB, wouldn't have to be a whole lot bigger." SpaceDev Hybrid Rocket Propulsion Technology Hybrid rocket propulsion is a very safe and low-cost technology that has tremendous benefits for current and future space missions. SpaceDev’s hybrid rocket propulsion technology features an elegantly simple design, the ability to be restarted and is throttleable. Additional benefits include the ease of transportation and handling and storage. SpaceDev's background and expertise in hybrid propulsion technology was derived from the initial knowledge base produced by American Rocket Company (AMROC). SpaceDev obtained the technical rights, proprietary data and patents produced by millions of dollars worth of hybrid rocket motor research by AMROC. AMROC designed and hot test fired a wide variety of hybrid rocket motors of all sizes, utilizing non-toxic, storable propellants, which are the critical enabling technology for sub orbital manned space flight. AMROC completed approximately 300 hybrid motor tests from 100 to 250,000 pounds of thrust. SpaceDev has performed studies and analyses to determine the preliminary requirements, concepts and propulsion design parameters for expendable launch vehicles and a modular, scalable family of orbital Maneuvering and Transfer Vehicles (MoTVs™) that use hybrid rocket technology. Additionally, SpaceDev had several motor contracts and grants by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency related to SpaceDev’s hybrid-powered MoTVs. Under these contracts, SpaceDev has built and successfully test fired multiple variations of hybrid motors, with the final unit utilizing replaceable fuel cores. SpaceDev was recently awarded Phase I and Phase II of a contr

yree · Jun 25, 2005

Rosco McGlashan is looking to drive the fastest car on Earth - strangely enough, synthetic rubber and laughing gas could be the ticket. After seeing X-Prize winner SpaceShipOne, McGlashan, "The fastest Aussie on Earth," wondered if rocket motors could propel him up to speeds of 1,609 km/h. So he called up SpaceDev, the company who provided the rocket motor technology for the world's first private-sector astronaut mission. He also enlisted the help of John "Ackers" Ackroyd, the designer of 1983's land-speed-record-breaking car Thrust 2. They came up a wingless rocket-powered jet fighter on wheels. The Aussie Invader 5R will feature a modified rocket motor that uses nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to burn rubber for fuel. But while SpaceShipOne used one rocket motor to loft it into space, AI5R will have two rocket motors...and they'll make the one on SpaceShip One seem like a wind-up toy. The 60,000-70,000 pounds of total thrust the two huge rocket motors will produce is four times the amount of thrust used to launch SpaceShipOne into space and more than twice the power of the current record holder Thrust SSC (SuperSonic Car). "Setting a world land speed record these days is on par with flying to Mars," McGlashan says. "Thrust SSC was a remarkable innovative vehicle and the twin jet concept had never been done." Twin jets were exactly what Thrust SSC needed for speed. Traveling at 1,227.7 km/h across the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, Thrust SSC was the first car to break the sound barrier. Until the twentieth century, going beyond the sound barrier was an elusive challenge in the air, never mind on wheels. The myth was that the sound barrier created a physical barrier. Aircraft attempts to break it resulted in shock waves, increased drag, shaking, loss of control, and plenty of deadly crashes. In reality, the sound barrier is th

yree · Jun 30, 2005

SpaceDev founder says his craft offers better approach to tourism By TOM PAULSON SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER POWAY, Calif. -- The man whose firm built the engine expected to power SpaceShipOne into suborbital space today plans to build his own craft and compete with his more celebrated partners, Paul Allen and Burt Rutan, for the extraterrestrial turf. "SpaceShipOne is revolutionary, but it was designed to take the X Prize, period," said Jim Benson, founder and chief executive of SpaceDev, near San Diego. "It's been a good first step, but I don't think the future of space tourism is going to be with this approach." SpaceDev created a unique, reusable engine for SpaceShipOne that burns a hybrid (solid-liquid) fuel made largely of rubber and laughing gas, or nitrous oxide. Early today, the Rutan-Allen craft -- which launches in midair after being carried to more than 40,000 feet by an airplane -- was expected to be launched and halfway to claiming the $10 million Ansari X Prize. Winning the contest requires two successful flights into space (more than 62.5 miles up) within a two-week period. It's been a feebly contested challenge so far, given that no other team of would-be private astronauts has come close to offering any real competition to SpaceShipOne. The history-making craft was built by aerospace pioneer Rutan and paid for by Microsoft Corp. co-founder and space enthusiast Allen. Another billionaire adventurer, Virgin Atlantic's Sir Richard Branson, has already licensed SpaceShipOne's technology and committed more than $100 million to using it for a space tourism business to be dubbed "Virgin Galactic." But Benson, a critical player in developing SpaceShipOne, said he thinks the Rutan-Allen approach will prove to be less than ideal for space tourism. "When you're a carpenter and all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail," he said. Rutan is an accom

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