Download pdf - NASA SBIR/STTR Technologies · vehicles, upper stage kick motors, and air-launched accelerator stages for air breathing applications. Non-NASA applications include commercial satellite

NON-PROPRIETARY DATA

NASA SBIR/STTR TechnologiesProposal No. S4.01-8692 - A modular

minimum Cost Launch System (mCLS) for nano-satellitesPI: George Whittinghill, Whittinghill Aerospace LLC – Camarillo, CA

Identification and Significance of InnovationThe innovation is in the minimum cost design of a nano-sat launchvehicle. This leads to the clustering of identical N2O-fed hybridrocket propulsion modules, a simplified structural configuration,and an avionics installation on the 3rd stage that allows a spinning,solid 4th stage to maximize payload to orbit. The rubber and N2Opropellants are storable, green, inexpensive, and offer operationalsimplicity with which cryogenic launchers cannot compete.Significance: The mCLS is a high performance, very low costnanosat launch system made possible though innovativesimplicity.Expected TRL Range at the end of the Contract (1-9): 6

Technical Objectives and Work Plan4

Whittinghill Aerospace (WASP) will demonstrate the technicaland operational viability of the mCLS by flight-test of a coremodule as a sounding rocket. Additionally WASP will conduct afull-scale test firing of the mCLS upper stage SRM. During flightthe payload environment will be characterized via a customer-supplied instrumentation package.The work plan will direct continuation of MDO analysis anddesign tasks, hardware and tooling production, propulsion systemstatic firings, structural load testing, flight hardware development,and conduct a flight test.

NASA and Non-NASA ApplicationsNASA applications include dedicated small satellite and soundingrocket launch operations, low-cost strap-on boosters for existingvehicles, upper stage kick motors, and air-launched acceleratorstages for air breathing applications.Non-NASA applications include commercial satellite and soundingrocket launch operations, university and student launch operations,high-performance storable tactical vehicles for defense departmentuse, and target vehicles for intercept exercises.Firm ContactsGeorge Whittinghill, President & [email protected]: 805-901-2297, Fax: 805-388-2193