Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Kelly Space & Technology (KST) is in negotiation with an unidentified company which wants to purchase two "Express" low-cost reusable launchers.
The Express is a member of a family of delta-winged vehicles which KST is developing using the "Eclipse" technique to save huge launch costs. All the vehicles are designed to be towed to launch altitude by a Boeing 747, before using their own rockets to climb into orbit. After dispensing their payload, the piloted vehicles will then re-enter the atmosphere before decelerating to subsonic speed.
During the final phase of the descent the pilot will then start an on-board jet engine and fly the craft as if it were a conventional aircraft to the designated landing field. The Express is a smaller version of the vehicle, while the Astroliner is a larger production version for commercial payloads.
"We have been working with a prospective customer on the purchase of two vehicles," confirms KST chairman and chief technical officer, Michael Kelly. Although KST declines to identify the company concerned, it says the group is "devoted to commercialising microgravity research". Kelly adds that "-we hadn't envisioned selling those vehicles, but it's the best way to start their development".
The deal, if finalised, will provide a boost for KST which is "-forging ahead with arranging financing for the main product - the Astroliner," says Kelly. KST believes it is still on schedule to begin commercial operations in late 2001 should it successfully secure up to $500 million in financing. Kelly says that part of the package is already in place, but "-there is some more work still to line up all the subcontractors", he adds.
The present scheme calls for final assembly of the Astroliner to take place at the former Norton AFB, California with major work being performed by Santa Barbara Aerospace. KST warns, however, that some of its prospective financing may depend on shifting significant subassembly work out of California.
NASA and KST have meanwhile reviewed data collected during six experimental flights in which a QF-106 Delta Dart, mimicking an Astroliner, was towed behind a Lockheed C-141A Starlifter. The flights, which took place at Edwards AFB earlier this year, demonstrated that a "low tow" position will be used for the Express and Astroliner take-off. A low tow is one in which the trailing aircraft takes off after the towing aircraft, rather than lifting off before, as in the case of a glider for example, and remains at around a 20¼ elevation angle below and behind the towing aircraft.
"In that position handling was a lot easier than we thought," says Kelly. "The test pilot said it was the easiest flying he's done, banked turns at 45¼ were made hands off, for example," he says.
Source: Flight International
