RS1 (rocket)
The RS1 is a two-stage launcher under development by the US space company ABL Space Systems . The rocket is intended for the launch of small satellites and should be ready for use by the end of 2020.
The ABL concept is based on technology that is as simple and inexpensive as possible and completely mobile starting devices. It is hoped that this will enable rocket launches to be offered more cheaply, faster and more flexibly than direct competitors such as Firefly Aerospace and Relativity Space .
history
ABL Space Systems was founded in August 2017 by former employees of the rocket manufacturer SpaceX . The company is based in El Segundo near Los Angeles , California , not far from SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne . ABL CEO Harry O'Hanley was responsible for the development of the grid fins at SpaceX , with which the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket controls the landing approach.
Within two months of its establishment, ABL announced the development of the "RS-1" missile; At that time, it should be able to bring payloads weighing up to 650 kg into low earth orbits (LEO) and 425 kg into sun-synchronous orbits (SSO). A first start was planned for May 2021. The projected rocket was later renamed RS1 and enlarged twice, initially to a maximum of 900 kg LEO payload and finally (early 2019) to 1200 kg. With the second step, the offered starting price fell from 17 to 12 million dollars and the first flight date was brought forward to 2020. This was made possible on the one hand by optimizing the design and on the other by switching from bought-in to self-produced engines.
In mid-2019, the aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin entered into a "strategic investment" in ABL Space. At that time, Lockheed Martin was already involved in the successful small rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab . The RS1 is particularly interesting because of its quick readiness for use ( responsive launch ); there is increasing interest in this on the part of the US government.
Structure and use
The RS1 is designed as a two-stage rocket and is largely based on conventional technology. The structure of both stages as well as the payload fairing are made from aluminum - alloy made the engines operate on the gas generator process and are with missiles kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen operated. 3D printing is only used for some individual parts such as the engine combustion chambers . The stage separation should be non-destructive, i.e. without explosives .
A special feature of the RS1 is a wreath of Cubesat transport containers within the adapter that connects the payload with the upper rocket stage. This should make it possible to deploy several cubesats of sizes 3U and 6U at each start without additional devices. Cubesats should be reloadable up to a few hours before take-off through flaps in the payload fairing.
Two engine types developed by ABL serve as the drive: The "E1" with 187 kN thrust, three of which are to be used in the first stage, and the multiple ignitable and vacuum-optimized "E2" with 58 kN thrust in the second stage. The latter receives additional cold gas engines for attitude control . The reignition of the upper stage enables complex orbital maneuvers , for example to deploy several payloads in different orbits.
This results in a forecast transport performance of 1200 kg in 200 km high orbits, approx. 875 kg in 500 km high sun-synchronous orbits (SSO) and approx. 400 kg in geostationary transfer orbits (GTO). Apart from the Minotaur - solid rocket would be the RS1 so that the world's smallest rocket, which also geostationary satellites can launch (→ Overview of today's launch vehicles and launch vehicles projects ).
The steps of the 27 meter long rocket and other accessories are transported in standard containers ; The fuel supply can also be completely mobile with tank trucks. This should allow the RS1 to take off from any space station ; All that is required is a paved, level surface and a starter license. In the customer handbook, for example, the American launch sites Spaceport Camden , Cape Canaveral , Kodiak , Vandenberg AFB and Wallops Island are named. The Spaceport Camden is a project of the US state Georgia ; So far, no rocket has flown from there into space, but ABL Space has rented a site for final production and testing.
Data table
| First stage | Second stage | Payload section | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length without nozzles | 15.2 m | 1.6 m | 5.9 m |
| overall length | 26.8 m | ||
| diameter | 1.83 m | ||
| Engines total thrust |
3 × E1 560 kN |
1 × E2 58 kN |
|
| fuel | RP-1 / LOX | ||
| Max. payload |
1200 kg ( LEO 200 km) |
||
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ ABL Space Systems . Crunchbase, accessed October 16, 2019.
- ^ A b Jeff Foust: Georgia spaceport attracts small launch vehicle developer . Spacenews, September 19, 2018.
- ^ ABL Space Systems Signs Lease with JDA to Begin Operations in Camden County . Business Wire, September 17, 2018.
- ^ ABL Space Systems. In: ablspacesystems.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017 ; accessed on October 16, 2019 .
- ^ Jeff Foust: ABL Space Systems increases performance and cuts price of its small launch vehicle . Spacenews, February 1, 2019.
- ^ Jeff Foust: Lockheed Martin invests in small launch vehicle startup ABL Space Systems . Spacenews, July 23, 2019.
- ↑ a b c d e RS1 Payload User's Guide, Version 1 (PDF, 9 MB)
- ↑ a b c ABL Space Systems , accessed October 17, 2019.