Kistler Aerospace Corporation is developing a two stage fully reusable launch vehicle to place medium satellites into low earth orbit (LEO).  The K-1 launch vehicle uses Russian NK-33 and NK-43 engines, originally built for the Russian N-1 moon program, to power the first stage LAP and second stage OV.  Kistler was planning to commence test flights out of Woomera, Australia beginning in 2000, but first flight may now be delayed until 2001.  Kistler is developing a second launch site at NTS (Nevada Test Site) in Nevada, USA.

The K-1 aerospace vehicle offers two different Payload Modules, a Standard Payload Module (SPM) and an Extended Payload Module (EPM) to accommodate the larger LEO constellation satellites.  The Payload Modules are designed to be removed and processed "off-line" to provide near "ship and shoot" operations.

The K-1 LAP first stage lifts the second stage to an altitude of 135,000 feet (41 km).  Following separation, the first stage is reoriented and the center ignition is re-ignited to perform the flyback maneuver.  The second stage (OV) ignites it's single NK-43 engine and continues into orbit.  Following a coast to apogee, the LOX / ethanol Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) is used to circularize the payload.  Following deployment, the OMS is fired again to place the OV in the proper orbit to return to the launch site.  After their missions, both stages land using parachutes and airbags .