Rocketplane-Kistler is developing, with the help of NASA and its astronauts, pressurised and unpressurised versions of the new cargo module that will be an integrated part of the second-stage orbital vehicle for its fully reusable K-1 launcher.
Although the K-1's first and second stages are already beyond their preliminary design reviews and approaching critical design reviews, RpK's selection by NASA for its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services demonstration programme has required a substantial redesign of what was the payload module.
Conceived as a satellite launcher, the K-1's second-stage orbital vehicle must now dock with the International Space Station. The company has also signed a letter of intent with commercial space station developer Bigelow Aerospace to provide transport from 2012 to a private orbital complex.
The new 3.5m (11.4ft)-long cargo module retains the original payload module's thermal protection system-covered blunt-body nosecone, which is its leading edge when it re-enters the atmosphere to land.
"We are working with NASA and the ISS crews to define the cargo module," says RpK vice president chief of staff Bob Seto. He adds that RpK is making substantial progress with the documentation process for Australia's equivalent of a spaceport licence as the company plans to launch the K-1 from the Woomera test site from 2009.
The first stage will return to the test facility with a goal of landing within a 1,800m (6,000ft)-diameter area using a rocket engine and air bags and parachutes. The second stage may land elsewhere. RpK is also considering US spaceports for launching and landing both stages.
Source: Flight International
