Pegasus set to fly
Orbital Sciences (OSC) says it will build four, one-stage versions of its Pegasus air-launched booster for the NASA Hyper-X project.
The second and third stages of the standard satellite launcher - featured in Hall 3 - will be removed and a new payload fairing added to hold the Hyper-X research plane, the company says.
The Pegasus/Hyper-X will be dropped from a NASA B-52 and, with the help of the Pegasus stage and its own small engine, will reach a speed of up to Mach 10, ten times the speed of sound.
One test will be made each year from 1998-2001.
The Hyper-X will provide important data for NASA's research into propulsion and technologies that will be required for future air-breathing hypersonic craft.
Future investment
Vickers Propulsion Technology Division arrives at Le Bourget fresh from a major investment in a new production facility in South Carolina, US.
Although that plant will service the needs of the automotive sector, the gas turbine and marine engineering specialist is also committed to boosting its aerospace business.
A regular visitor to the show, Vickers is looking to solidify its strong position in the aerospace market and has built a new precision machining factory in Crewe, England
Source: Flight Daily News
