Engineering:Generation Orbit X-60
| X-60 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Experimental aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Generation Orbit |
| Primary user | Air Force Research Laboratory |
The Generation Orbit X-60 (GOLauncher 1 or GO1) was an air-launched single stage suborbital rocket vehicle produced by Generation Orbit.
Design and development
The first two segments of the GOLauncher 1 Inert Test Article (GO1-ITA) underwent a series of structural ground tests at Mercer University's Engineering Research Center (MERC) in December 2013.[1]
In July 2014, GO was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) for development of GOLauncher 1. The nine-month effort, worth $150,000, focused on requirements definition, configuration trade studies, and trajectory design.[2][3][4][5] In October 2018, the designation X-60A was assigned to the GO1 vehicle.[6]
Applications of the X-60A include access to high altitudes for microgravity, astrophysics, hypersonics testing and research of avionics. On July 20, 2014, GO flew its first captive carry test platform using a Learjet 35.[7][8]
References
- ↑ "Structural Test Success With Generation Orbit". Mercer Engineering Research Center. 2014-02-14. http://www.merc-mercer.org/news/structural-test-success-merc/.
- ↑ "Air Launch Testbed for Endoatmospheric Hypersonic Trajectories". SBIR/STRR. http://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/663142.
- ↑ "Generation Orbit Awarded Phase I SBIR with AFRL for GOLauncher 1 Hypersonic Testbed". Generation Orbit Press Release. 2014-07-09. Archived from the original on 2014-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20141005140619/http://www.generationorbit.com/blog/generation-orbit-awarded-phase-i-sbir-grant-with-afrl-for-golauncher-1-hypersonic-testbed/.
- ↑ "Generation Orbit Awarded SBIR Grant for GOLauncher 1 Hypersonic Testbed". Parabolic Arc. 2014-07-09. http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/07/09/generation-orbit-awarded-sbir-grant-golauncher-1-hypersonic-testbed/.
- ↑ "Generation Orbit Awarded Phase I SBIR Grant". SpaceRef Business. 2014-07-09. http://spaceref.biz/business-briefs/generation-orbit-awarded-phase-i-sbir-grant.html.
- ↑ "U.S. Air Force Designates GO1 Hypersonic Flight Research Vehicle as X-60A". 4 October 2018. https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1653238/us-air-force-designates-go1-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-as-x-60a/.
- ↑ Nate Monroe (2014-07-30). "Spaceport test flight is a giant leap for launch facility in Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union. http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-07-30/story/spaceport-test-flight-giant-leap-launch-facility-jacksonville.
- ↑ "Guest column: Cecil Airport is poised to become a player in space industry". The Florida Times-Union. 2014-09-11. http://members.jacksonville.com/business/columnists/2014-09-11/story/guest-column-cecil-airport-poised-become-player-space-industry#.VBL3WaKeDa0.twitter.
External links
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