Masten Space’s XA-0.1B-750 Vehicle Completes First Flight | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.07.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.08.24 Airborne-FlightTraining-05.09.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.10.24

Wed, May 13, 2009

Masten Space’s XA-0.1B-750 Vehicle Completes First Flight

Don't let anyone kid you, despite the fact that the XPrize was won several years ago, the development of commercial space programs remains a fervent pursuit for a chosen group of visionaries. Masten Space Systems tells ANN that they have completed their first vertical take-off, vertical-landing (VTVL) rocket flight demonstration. The demonstration proved out the design and controls of the 730lb rocket-powered vehicle, known as XA-0.1B-750 or “Xombie”, its internal nickname.

While the vehicle was attached to a safety tether, it took off, ascended a few meters, descended, and shut down its engine as designed. The instant the engine shut off the entire team yelled, “YES!”

“This is the first big step to providing fully reusable spaceflight,” said company CEO David Masten. “Larger vehicles, using the same technologies tested here, will be capable of taking a 220 pound payload to 75 miles and be reused without requiring lengthy refurbishment.”

The vehicle is fitted with a liquid-fueled rocket engine running on isopropyl alcohol and liquid oxygen designed in house at Masten Space Systems. “While there are a few tweaks we plan on making, these engines are performing well enough to be ready for commercial customers” said propulsion engineer Jonathan Goff. “Xombie has been an excellent platform to show off the engine’s capabilities,” he said.

The engine is capable of putting out 850 pounds of force. The vehicle is stabilized by a two-axis main engine gimbal and four reaction control thrusters. The engine can point 15 degrees away from the vehicle centerline, more than four times as far as most competitors.

This vehicle was refitted from a four-engine test vehicle in one month, and the reaction control thrusters and computer system were developed in less than two weeks.

“This program has demonstrated the agility of our small team when presented with an interesting challenge,” said project manager Ben Brockert. “We apply the same skills and speed to customer projects,” he said. Masten anticipates that payload space on low altitude commercial flights will be available by the end of 2009. “We’re happy to provide payload space for research, Technology Readiness Level acceleration, or quality assurance. This flight, along with our Department of Defense SBIR contract, represents a significant new phase for the company,” said Michael Mealling, Vice President of Business Development.

Masten Space Systems is a Mojave, CA based aerospace company developing fully reusable VTVL launch vehicles, rocket-related products, and engineering services. The company’s 6000 square foot production facility and 100,000 sq foot testing facility is located on the Mojave Air and Space Port. The company designs and builds aerospace solutions that focus on durability, long operational lifetimes, and minimal per-flight maintenance.

FMI: www.masten-space.com

Advertisement

More News

Sierra Space Repositions Dream Chaser for First Mission

With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.10.24): Takeoff Roll

Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.10.24)

“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.11.24)

"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.11.24): IDENT Feature

IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC