SpaceRef Business

ULA Delta IV Launches GPS IIF-4

2013-05-25T02:12:51Z

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket successfully launched the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 8:27 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-37. This mission launched just nine days after ULA successfully launched the GPS IIF-4 satellite last Wednesday, May 15.

"United Launch Alliance and our many mission partners continue to focus on mission success, one-launch-at-a-time," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. "We are honored to work with such a strong industry and government team and deliver another critical communication capability to orbit to support our nation's warfighters throughout the world." This mission was launched aboard a Delta IV Medium-plus configuration vehicle using a single ULA common booster core powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) RS-68 main engine, along with four ATK GEM 60 solid rocket motors. The five-meter diameter upper stage was powered by a PWR RL10B-2 engine with the satellite encapsulated in a five-meter diameter composite payload fairing. The WGS-5 launch marked the third flight of the Delta IV medium+ (5,4) configuration and the 22nd flight of the Delta IV family of launch vehicles.

This was the first Delta IV launch following the low engine performance that was identified on the successful Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-3 launch last October. Although the GPS IIF-3 spacecraft was accurately placed into the required orbit, ULA, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) and our U.S. Air Force teammates embarked on an investigation to determine why the upper stage engine performance was lower than expected. Prior to this mission, rigorous hardware inspections along with vehicle and operational design modifications were implemented to prevent a recurrence of the fuel leak in the RL10 engine that was the direct cause of the low engine performance on the GPS IIF-3 launch.

"The team has worked tremendously hard and exceptionally well to complete a robust investigation and get us to a successful launch today," said Sponnick. "We sincerely thank the PWR team and our customer community for working with us throughout the investigation and flight clearance process, as well as the involvement from senior industry technical advisors."

Wideband Global SATCOM provides anytime, anywhere communication for the warfighter through broadcast, multicast, and point to point connections. WGS is the only military satellite communications system that can support simultaneous X and Ka band communications. ULA's next launch is the Atlas V MUOS-2 mission for the U.S. Navy scheduled for July 19, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The EELV program was established by the United States Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV Program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems.

ULA program management, engineering, test, and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., and Harlingen, Texas. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA Web site at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch and twitter.com/ulalaunch.

NASA Calls For Phase II Visionary Advanced Concepts

2013-05-22T16:16:13Z

NASA is looking for far-out ideas. NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program is seeking Phase II proposals for continuation of promising studies selected during the first phase of the visionary program.

The NIAC program funds cutting-edge concepts with the potential to transform future aerospace missions, enable new capabilities, or significantly alter current approaches to launching, building, and operating aerospace systems.

"Creating the technologies needed to keep our explorers -- robotic and human -- alive and well is a terrific challenge, and these transformative concepts have the potential to mature into the solutions that enable our future missions," said Michael Gazarik, NASA's associate administrator for space technology in Washington. "NASA's early investment and partnership with creative scientists, engineers and citizen inventors from across the nation holds the potential to pay huge technological dividends and help maintain America's leadership in the global technology economy."

NIAC's Phase II opportunity continues development of the most promising Phase I concepts. These are visionary aerospace architecture, mission, or system concepts with transformative potential, which continue to push into new frontiers, while remaining technically and programmatically credible. NIAC's current portfolio of diverse efforts advances aerospace technology in many areas, including science, aeronautics, robotics and manufacturing.

Recent NIAC Phase II studies have included a concept for "printable spacecraft," which could be manufactured using additive manufacturing technology that creates 3-D objects from computer designs. Spacecraft electronic components could be "printed" layer upon layer on flexible materials, advancing the functionality and availability of components needed for space missions. Another study is examining the feasibility of using high temperature superconducting magnets as a potential form of radiation shielding in space.

"Phase II proposals are especially exciting because they can provide the opportunity to bring real breakthroughs one step closer to implementation," said Jay Falker, NIAC program executive at NASA Headquarters.

NASA will be accepting NIAC Phase II proposals of no more than 20 pages in length until July 9. Selection announcements are expected later this year. This solicitation is open only to current or previously awarded NIAC Phase I concepts. Complete guidelines for proposal submissions are available on the NIAC website at http://www.nasa.gov/niac.

NASA expects to initiate approximately five new Phase II studies this year. The number of awards will depend on the strength of proposals, availability of appropriated funds and selected mix of Phase I and Phase II awards. Selected proposers will receive as much as $500,000 over two years to further analyze and develop their innovative concepts.

NIAC is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. To view the NASA NIAC Research Announcement for this solicitation and for more information about the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit: http://go.usa.gov/R1N

Dream Chaser Unwrapped for Testing

2013-05-22T14:00:27Z

Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Dream Chaser gets unwrapped at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in southern California in preparation for testing.

SNC's prototype space access vehicle will undergo ground and approach-and-landing flight tests in the coming months at Dryden as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). SNC is one of three companies working with CCP during the agency's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability, or CCiCap, initiative, which is intended to lead to the availability of commercial human spaceflight services for government and commercial customers.

NASA Astronauts Fly Dream Chaser Simulations

2013-05-21T17:36:04Z

Jack Fischer was one of four NASA astronauts to fly approach and landing simulations of Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser spacecraft at the agency's Langley Research Center. The three-day simulations evaluated the spacecraft's subsonic handling in support of NASA Commercial Crew Program efforts.

NASA Announcement for Proposals: Commerical Operation of Launch Complex 39A

2013-05-17T17:15:26Z

NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center provides notice that the Government will issue an Announcement for Proposals (AFP) seeking a qualified lessee who is capable of taking responsibility for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of Launch Complex 39, Pad A (LC-39A) as a commercial launch facility.

Synopsis - May 17, 2013

General Information

Solicitation Number: AFP-KSC-LC39A
Posted Date: May 17, 2013
FedBizOpps Posted Date: May 17, 2013
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Jun 21, 2013
Current Response Date: Jun 21, 2013
Classification Code: X -- Lease or rental of facilities
NAICS Code: 481212
Set-Aside Code:

Contracting Office Address

NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

Description

The following information is preliminary and subject to change.

The National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), John F. Kennedy Space Center provides notice that the Government will issue an Announcement for Proposals (AFP) seeking a qualified lessee who is capable of taking responsibility for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of Launch Complex 39, Pad A (LC-39A) as a commercial launch facility.

LC-39A is a potentially useful, historically significant, launch platform for a commercial company or consortium, or other U.S. domestic entity, including state agencies, to use to support commercial launch activities while assuming financial and technical responsibility for O&M. Such commercial use will protect LC-39A from deterioration resulting from non-use.

Additionally, commercial use will support NASA in fulfilling its mandate to, "seek and encourage, to the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space." 51 U.S.C. 20112(a)(4). Such use is also authorized under the Commercial Space Launch Act, 51 U.S.C. 50913(a)(1), which encourages the acquisition by the private sector and State governments of launch or reentry property of the U.S. Government that is excess or otherwise not needed for public use. NASA therefore envisions a lease with a commercial company or consortium or U.S. domestic entity that has a plan for use of LC-39A to support active launch operations, and which demonstrates the financial and business resources, as well as the technical capability and past experience, to make the fullest commercial use of LC-39A.

NASA contemplates entering into one or more lease agreements under the authority of the Commercial Space Launch Act (CSLA). If a Proposer feels a different contractual relationship is more appropriate, it may so stipulate in its proposal. NASA intends to seek proposals to operate and maintain LC-39A as a commercial launch facility through an agreement or agreement(s) for a minimum of five years. Proposers who are interested in a longer term agreement should be prepared to provide the proposed length of the agreement, and rationale for the required time period beyond five years. Proposers should note that NASA will not act as the site operator for LC-39A under any lease arrangement and, therefore, Proposers will be expected to address site operation, as well as any anticipated launch operations, in their proposals.

With the completion of Shuttle retirement activities, NASA will no longer fund the maintenance of the dedicated infrastructure and systems located at LC-39A. In order to maximize the utility of the facility and avoid the deterioration that results from lack of regular maintenance, NASA intends to expedite the release of an Announcement for Proposals, with submittal of proposals due 30 days after release of the Announcement.

Proposers may indicate their interest in this announcement through submission of a non-binding letter of intent by May 24, 2013. This letter should include the following:

1) Company name, designated point of contact, and relevant contact information for same; 2) The nature of interest (i.e. exclusive user, part of multi-user consortium, site operator); 3) Type of agreement contemplated (i.e. lease under CSLA, Space Act Agreement, Enhanced Use Lease).

This letter should be submitted to the Contracting Officer Officer listed below. An electronic PDF file sumbitted by email is preferred. Potential respondents are responsible for monitoring the Internet site below for the release of the Announcement and for downloading their own copy of the Announcement and any amendments. The Internet site, or URL, for the Kennedy Space Center Business Opportunities page is: http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76

This is not a solicitation for proposals and NASA does not intend to respond to questions about this synopsis at this time. As necessary, further information will be provided as amendments to this synopsis.

Point of Contact

Name: Steven E. Parker
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 321-867-2928
Fax: 321-867-7189
Email: steve.parker@nasa.gov

SpaceX Tests 5.2 Meter Fairing Separation Test

2013-05-17T12:22:38Z

SpaceX released this separation test video of their on-house designed 5.2m fairing which is undergoing testing at NASA Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station.

From SpaceX, the "fairing is used to protect a satellite during launch. Separation occurs when the rocket is traveling over 4x faster than a speeding bullet, nearly 10x the speed of sound."

Launch of the GPS IIF-4 Satellite for the Air Force

2013-05-16T01:24:41Z

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket successfully launched the fourth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4 satellite for the U.S. Air Force at 5:38 p.m. EDT today from Space Launch Complex-41.

"The ULA team is honored to place another next-generation GPS satellite on orbit for our US Air Force customer," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. "Today's successful delivery of the GPS IIF-4 mission represents the 70th launch success in the 77 months since ULA was formed - an accomplishment made possible by seamless integration of the customer and industry team; reliable production and launch operation processes; and a one-launch-at-a-time focus on mission success for these critical space assets."

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), which includes a 4-meter diameter payload fairing. The booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine and the Centaur upper stage was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL-10A engine.

"The ULA team has launched 51 GPS missions on Delta II and Delta IV vehicles and this mission marks the first operational GPS mission launched on an Atlas V launch vehicle," said Sponnick. "Successfully and efficiently integrating and launching these satellites on both EELV launch systems provides operational flexibility and in the future, capabilities such as dual launch will provide even greater flexibility and also enable lower launch costs for our customers."

GPS IIF-4 is the fourth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the earths' surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.

EUTELSAT 3D Launched

2013-05-15T15:51:57Z

International Launch Services (ILS) successfully placed the EUTELSAT 3D satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), today, for Eutelsat Communications of Paris, France.

With this mission, ILS, a leader in providing mission integration and launch services to the global commercial satellite industry, completed its 80th Proton launch overall and 3rd Proton launch in 2013.

The Proton Breeze M vehicle carrying EUTELSAT 3D launched from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, today, at 22:02 local time(16:02GMT and 12:02 EDT). The satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space on the reliable Spacebus 4000 platform and weighing nearly 5.5 metric tons at liftoff, was released 9 hours and 13 minutes after a standard 5-burn Breeze M mission. This was the 7th Eutelsat satellite launched on a Proton and the 9th Thales Alenia Space Satellite launched on an ILS Proton.

EUTELSAT 3D will initially be located at 3 degrees east longitude, until the launch of EUTELSAT 3B in 2014, at which time it will continue its service at 7 degrees east longitude. From its orbital locations, the satellite will provide resources, reach and flexibility to address the high-growth rate in the video, data, telecom, and broadband markets. This Ku and Ka-band satellite will serve customers across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Since its maiden flight in 1965, this was the 386th aggregate launch for the Proton vehicle, including both Federal and commercial missions. The Proton Breeze M vehicle is developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, Russia's premier space industry manufacturer and majority shareholder in ILS.

ILS President Phil Slack stated, "The Proton vehicle and Eutelsat partnership dates back 13 years starting with the SESAT-1 launch on Proton in 2000. After seven launches, including the 50th ILS Proton launch in 2009 with the EUTELSAT 10A satellite, we are honored that Eutelsat continues to place their trust in us to enable the expansion of their business. Many thanks to the Eutelsat, Thales Alenia Space, Khrunichev and ILS teams for ensuring mission success with the launch of EUTELSAT 3D."

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, "We thank ILS and Khrunichev for this flawless launch which maintains our perfect track record of success since our first Proton flight in 2000. I'm happy to say that EUTELSAT 3D is well on its way to 3* East, where it will go into service next month. The performance of the Proton launcher gives us the flexibility we need to further increase our resources and commercial flexibility which is highly valued in our business."

About ILS and Khrunichev

ILS is a world leader in providing launch services for global satellite operators and offers a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery. ILS has exclusive rights to market the Proton vehicle to commercial satellite operators worldwide and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, VA., near Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.

Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system. The Proton launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of more than 385 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes, among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.

Dream Chaser Shipped to Dryden

2013-05-13T19:53:06Z

Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Space Systems has completed assembly and testing of the Dream Chaser(R) spacecraft in preparation for shipping the flight vehicle from SNC's Space Systems headquarters in Louisville, Colo., to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Upon arrival at NASA Dryden, the Dream Chaser will continue a series of tests, including runway tow, ground resonance, and a captive carry flight. These tests will be completed before the Dream Chaser flight vehicle's first autonomous free flight Approach and Landing Test (ALT).

"NASA Dryden has always played a vital role in the testing of American flight vehicles," said Mark Sirangelo head of SNC's Space Systems "As the Dream Chaser program takes flight, this unique opportunity to conduct our tests at the same location as the Space Shuttle begin its flight brings great pride to our team. We are one step closer to returning U.S. astronauts on a U.S. vehicle to the International Space Station and in doing so continuing the long standing and proud legacy that was the Space Shuttle program."

The flight tests will help SNC to determine the glide and landing characteristics of the Dream Chaser, the only lifting body vehicle funded under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. A similar program was completed for the iconic Space Shuttle in 1977 at NASA Dryden when the Space Shuttle Enterprise conducted an ALT as a critical flight test milestone.

In describing the test series Jim Voss, SNC's vice president of Space Exploration Systems said, "This will be the first full scale flight test of the Dream Chaser lifting body and will demonstrate the unique capability of our spacecraft to land on a runway. Other flight tests will follow to validate the aerodynamic data used to control the vehicle in the atmosphere when it returns from space. This is a huge step forward for the SNC and NASA teams towards providing our nation with safe and reliable transportation to the International Space Station."

About Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems business area headquartered in Louisville, Colo., designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the US Government, commercial customers as well as for the international market. SNC's Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage in space and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC's Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients. For more information about SS visit www.sncspace.com.

Media Contact: media.ssg@sncorp.com or Krystal Scordo at 720-407-3192

First Images from Vietnam's VNREDSat-1 Satellite

2013-05-13T17:55:03Z

Astrium, the prime contractor for the Vietnam Natural Resources, Environment, Disaster Satellite (VNREDSat-1) Earth observation satellite, has released the satellites first images. The satellite is Vietnam's first Earth observation satellite.

VNREDSat-1 was launched on 7 May from Kourou.

[Download a large version of the image above.]

The city of Melbourne (Australia) at a resolution of 2.5 metres. Download a large version of this image.

VNREDSat-1 is now in its operational orbit and the satellite has entered its in-orbit testing phase. The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technologies (VAST) will officially take control of the satellite after the testing phase.

Boeing to Build 4 More Intelsat Epic 702MP Satellites

2013-05-09T19:52:26Z

Boeing will build four more 702MP satellites for Intelsat S.A., furthering its role as the initial manufacturer of Intelsat's new high-performance satellite fleet, Intelsat EpicNG. The 702MPs will deliver reliable, affordable and high-capacity data transmission that Intelsat customers can tailor to their needs.

"Intelsat became our first customer for the 702MP in 2009, and we are thrilled that our satellite will carry the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput platform," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "We are committed to providing the same level of quality, on-time performance with this new order that we achieved with our prior Intelsat deliveries."

The first EpicNG satellite, Intelsat 29e, was the fourth spacecraft and the last one still in production from Intelsat's previous order. It is on track for launch in 2015 and will serve the Americas and the North Atlantic. The new contract adds four more EpicNG satellites to the Intelsat fleet, starting with Intelsat 33e to be launched in 2016.

"Through the use of exclusive Boeing technology, our forward-thinking EpicNG design allows us to offer a highly differentiated service for our customers, enabling them to establish their network architecture for the next decade," said Dave McGlade, Intelsat chairman and chief executive officer. "Today's agreement will allow us to implement further our global vision for the EpicNG fleet, delivering the most efficient satellite solutions over an open architecture, backward compatible platform for a range of fixed and mobile mission-critical customer applications. We are pleased to rely on Boeing for this next phase of our collaboration."

Intelsat (NYSE: I) is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For over 45 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world's leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat's satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide.

A related image is available at boeing.mediaroom.com.

Contact:

Paula Shawa
Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems
Office: +1 310-364-7362
Mobile: +1 714-290-3975
paula.r.shawa@boeing.com

Dianne VanBeber
Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications
Intelsat
Office: +1 202-944-7406
Mobile: +1 703-627-5100
dianne.vanbeber@intelsat.com

New Spaceport America Tenant SpaceX to Flight Test Grasshopper

2013-05-07T18:08:14Z

Governor Susana Martinez today announced that Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, has signed a three-year agreement to lease land and facilities at Spaceport America to conduct the next phase of flight testing for its reusable rocket program. The company will be a new tenant at Spaceport America, the state-owned commercial launch site located in southern New Mexico.

"I am thrilled that SpaceX has chosen to make New Mexico its home, bringing their revolutionary "Grasshopper" rocket and new jobs with them," Governor Martinez said today. "We've done a lot of work to level the playing field so we can compete in the space industry. This is just the first step in broadening the base out at the Spaceport and securing even more tenants. I'm proud to welcome SpaceX to New Mexico."

SpaceX has completed its first series of successful, low-altitude tests of the "Grasshopper" vehicle in McGregor, Texas and is proceeding to the next phase of development that includes testing in New Mexico. With Grasshopper, SpaceX engineers are creating technology that will enable a rocket to return to the launch pad intact for a vertical landing, rather than burning up upon reentry in the Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell said, "Spaceport America offers us the physical and regulatory landscape needed to complete the next phase of Grasshopper testing. We are pleased to expand our reusable rocket development infrastructure to New Mexico."

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority has been readying the world's first purpose-built, commercial spaceport specifically for leading-edge programs like Grasshopper.

Christine Anderson, the NMSA Executive Director, said, "We are excited that SpaceX is coming to Spaceport America, where our first-class service will empower them to focus their full attention on their mission."

SpaceX manufactures, and launches the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. Today, SpaceX is advancing the boundaries of space technology through its Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has more than 3,000 employees in California, Texas, Washington D.C., and Florida. For more information, visit SpaceX.com, and follow SpaceX on Facebook and Twitter: @SpaceX.

Spaceport America is the first purpose-built, commercial spaceport in the world. The launch complex has been providing commercial vertical launch services since 2006, and is situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Virgin Galactic is the spaceport's anchor tenant.

SpaceX Media contact: David Wilson @ 575-640-8228 or dwilson@zianet.com

Susana Martinez
Contact: Enrique Knell
(505) 819-1398
enrique.knell@state.nm.us
For Immediate Release
May 7, 2013

Vega Launches Proba V

2013-05-07T13:30:48Z

On Monday, May 6, 2013 at 11:06 pm local time in French Guiana, Arianespace successfully launched the second Vega rocket from the Guiana space Center (CSG), orbiting the Proba-V, VNREDSat-1 and ESTCube-1 satellites.

Antares and COTS Demonstration Mission Update

2013-05-07T00:22:45Z

In the two weeks following the successful debut fight of the Antares rocket on April 21, the program's technical team gathered and analyzed large volumes of data collected during the A-ONE mission's countdown, ignition and lift-off, and flight sequence.

This data is used to validate that the launch vehicle's propulsion, navigation and other major subsystems, as well as the supporting ground systems, all performed as designed. The Antares team's conclusion was definitive: the rocket's first- and second-stage performance was right on the mark; the stage and fairing separation events were performed exactly as planned; and the data gathered from the heavily instrumented mass simulator payload confirmed Orbital's engineering models that predicted a benign launch environment for Cygnus and other future satellite payloads in terms of the thermal, acoustic, vibration, acceleration and other measurements captured during the flight.

"While the launch looked great to the casual observer, our team was hungry for data in order to validate our expectations for the rocket's performance," said Mr. Mike Pinkston, Orbital's Antares Program Manager. "Comprehensive post-flight analysis is an absolutely critical step to understanding exactly how a launch vehicle has performed and whether there are any necessary adjustments to its main systems prior to the next launch. Having intensively reviewed the data for a couple weeks, our conclusion was the inaugural Antares flight really was as good as it looked."

With the Antares Test Flight successfully completed, Orbital's Antares and Cygnus teams are now focused on the Demonstration Mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the final milestone in the COTS joint program with NASA. Orbital currently expects to be ready to carry out the Demonstration Mission in August. Orbital is swapping out one first stage AJ26 main engine for another unit that is already fully tested in order to further inspect and confirm a seal is functioning properly. The company expects the engine change-out process to add about three to four weeks to the schedule. In addition, missions to the ISS must be carefully scheduled with NASA to fit into the pre-planned traffic pattern at the orbiting laboratory. A Japanese cargo ship, the HTV, is also scheduled for a mission to the ISS in August. If the HTV schedule slips, Orbital expects to be ready to go in August. If the HTV holds its schedule, Orbital's Demonstration Mission could be planned for September.

Meantime, the Antares production team will keep pressing forward on the third Antares rocket that will launch the first of eight Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions. The CRS-1 mission is slated to take place in the fourth quarter of this year. For the CRS-1 mission, both AJ26 engines for that rocket have been fully tested and are already at Wallops. In addition, the two major components of the Cygnus spacecraft to be used for CRS-1 are complete and will be mated and integrated at Wallops this fall. The Service Module is fully tested and ready to be shipped to Wallops from Orbital's Dulles manufacturing facility, and the Pressurized Cargo Module is also complete and awaiting shipment to Wallops from Thales Alenia's plant in Turin, Italy.

Boeing X-51A WaveRider Has Successful 4th Flight

2013-05-04T21:05:17Z

A Boeing X-51A WaveRider unmanned hypersonic vehicle achieved the longest air-breathing, scramjet-powered hypersonic flight in history May 1, flying for three and a half minutes on scramjet power at a top speed of Mach 5.1. The vehicle flew for a total time of more than six minutes.

"This demonstration of a practical hypersonic scramjet engine is a historic achievement that has been years in the making," said Darryl Davis, president, Boeing Phantom Works. "This test proves the technology has matured to the point that it opens the door to practical applications, such as advanced defense systems and more cost-effective access to space."

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress from Edwards Air Force Base released the X-51A from 50,000 feet above the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range at 10:55 a.m. Pacific time. After the B-52 released the X-51A, a solid rocket booster accelerated the vehicle to about Mach 4.8 before the booster and a connecting interstage were jettisoned. The vehicle reached Mach 5.1 powered by its supersonic combustion scramjet engine, which burned all its JP-7 jet fuel. The X-51A made a controlled dive into the Pacific Ocean at the conclusion of its mission. The test fulfilled all mission objectives.

The flight was the fourth X-51A test flight completed for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. It exceeded the previous record set by the program in 2010.

The X-51A program is a collaborative effort of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, with industry partners Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. Boeing performed program management, design and integration in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Video stories are online at www.boeing.com/boeing/Features/2013/05/bds_x51_05_03_13.page and www.boeing.com/stories/videos/vid_18_waverider.html.

A related photo is available at boeing.mediaroom.com.

B-roll video of this event is available to media through the contacts below.

Contact:

Cheryl Sampson
Phantom Works
Office: +1 714-934-9373
Mobile: +1 714-330-8021
cheryl.a.sampson@boeing.com

Deborah VanNierop
Phantom Works
Office: +1 314-232-1624
Mobile: +1 210-454-2656
deborah.vannierop@boeing.com