Experimental Spaceplane (XSP)
Abstract
The goal of the Experimental Spaceplane (XSP) program is to design a scalable, responsive, prototype reusable launch system capable of inserting commercially and militarily relevant payloads (greater than 3000 lbs.) into low earth orbit and suborbital trajectories. There is a $5M cost goal to drive down the expense of space access by an order of magnitude versus traditional expendable launch vehicles. This is accomplished by designing for high velocity staging which dramatically reduces the amount of costly expendable hardware. The ability to fly 10 times in 10 days and designing the system to launch a payload into orbit within 24 hours traces to the responsiveness necessary in a military system. The system will be designed to fly greater than Mach 6.5 multiple times, which directly translates to a reusable hypersonic capability. The anticipated transition partner is the Air Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 2c46494b2adefd8d859def276c35910e