“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 100 kilogram (220 pound) payload to 120 kilometers (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. 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. Masten anticipates that payload space on low altitude commercial flights will be available by the end of 2009.
Satnews Daily
May 12th, 2009
Masten Makes The Xombie Fly
Masten Space Systems completed their first vertical take-off, vertical-landing (VTVL) rocket flight demo last Friday.
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 100 kilogram (220 pound) payload to 120 kilometers (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. 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. Masten anticipates that payload space on low altitude commercial flights will be available by the end of 2009.
“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 100 kilogram (220 pound) payload to 120 kilometers (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. 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. Masten anticipates that payload space on low altitude commercial flights will be available by the end of 2009.