Rascal Program Selects Phase Two Contractor

ROCKET SCIENCE

illustration only

Arlington - Mar 25, 2003
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) today selected Space Launch Corp., Irvine, Calif., to move into the 18-month second phase of the Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch (RASCAL) program.

The RASCAL program is developing and demonstrating low-cost space access for small payloads to low Earth orbit. The RASCAL system will consist of a first-stage reusable launch vehicle employing mass injection pre-compressor cooled turbojet engine technology and an upper expendable rocket vehicle designed with high mass fraction rocket stages.

In the second phase, Space Launch Corp. will design, develop and reduce the risk of critical technology.

Based on the results of phase two, DARPA will determine whether to continue on into phase three, fabrication, integration and flight-demonstration of two payloads in FY 2006.

The specific technical objectives of RASCAL include:

Mission turn-around time within 24 hours of payload arrival;
Delivery of a 75-kilogram payload into a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit;
Recurring launch costs for the RASCAL operating system of $750,000 per launch for a 75-kilogram payload; and
The ability to operate from a 2,500-meter runway with minimal peculiar support equipment and independent of test ranges for telemetry and tracking support.

ROCKET SCIENCE

Delta IV Launch Success Ushers in Record Year for Ecliptic's RocketCam

Pasadena - Mar 17, 2003
The successful launch of Boeing's Delta IV rocket last Monday involved a record four RocketCam onboard imaging systems for capturing dramatic views of liftoff, first stage separation, second stage nozzle extension and operation, payload fairing separation, spacecraft spin-up and finally, spacecraft separation.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.