|
Kelly
Space & Technology 2nd Generation RLV Support Contract
Andrews
Space & Technology received a contract from Kelly Space in August
1999 to perform launch vehicle systems engineering and design
activities in support of their NASA STAS IIIA contract. AST
played an integral role in developing Kelly's Two Stage to Orbit (TSTO)
vehicle design that addressed NASA mission, performance and safety
requirements. In December 1999, Kelly Space awarded AS&T a
follow-on support contract to support their NASA STAS IIIB efforts,
which involved refining the concept to maximize convergence between
future government and commercial launch requirements.
The
specific design featured a fully reusable first stage with a reusable
second stage for manned and medium class missions as well as an
expendable second stage option for heavy lift and non-LEO missions.
The TSTO vehicle operates from existing runways and features Kelly's
patented tow launch technology.
In
June 2000, AS&T was awarded a contract to support Kelly's NRA8-27
effort. AS&T was contracted to do a fault and abort staging
analysis and look at different crew escape systems for the TSTO RLV
system.
View
Kelly's NASA STAS IIIA Press Release
View Kelly Space & Technology's Web Site
|
