Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited The Falcon Launch Vehicle: Towards Operationally Responsive Space Space Exploration Technologies 1310

Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited

The Falcon Launch Vehicle:Towards Operationally Responsive

Space

Space Exploration Technologies1310 Grand Avenue

El Segundo, CA 90245Phone (310) 414-6555 X 228

Fax (310) 414-6552

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The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this article are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Department of Defense


Background and Programmatic Progress

SpaceX, under private investment, is developing a reliable, low cost launch vehicle in the light payload class

As a result of the relatively simple design, robust margins, and the necessity to keep prices low, Falcon is a responsive launcher

Programmatic Progress SpaceX has developed the facilities, holds all permits and

licenses, and has developed the documentation necessary to build, test, and transport Falcon to VAFB

State Department, 8 separate Environmental regulatory agencies, the ATF, the Western Test range and our local Fire Departments

Agreement in place with the Army to operate from Kwaj Business Progress

First launch contracted with support from the Secretary of Defense Government Mission assurance review initiated

First customer signed for the Falcon V


Falcon SLV Technical Status

Kestrel development nearly complete robust c* efficiency indicating a 327 Isp (which exceeds goal)

Merlin component development complete; full engine development near complete

Structural qualification begun Flight tankage in manufacture Complete prototype vehicle

integrated as a manufacturing pathfinder

Range telemetry successfully completed

Command and Control Van and transporter erector nearly complete


Proto-Falcon final assembly on the precision manufacturing track

November 2003


Falcon in Washington DC for its Unveiling


Technical Summary-- Falcon SLV

Payload capability: Over 1500 lbs to LEO (28.5 deg, 100 nm, circular) Launch from Vandenberg, Kwajelein, and the Cape Multiple manifest, multiple orbit Very benign payload environment $5.9M per launch plus range fees for single flight contracts Vehicle flight ready by mid 2004

Diameter 5.5’ tapering to 5’ Length 68’ 1st Stage Parachute/Water

Recovery 1st Stage Lox/RP1 2nd Stage Lox/RP1


Falcon First Stage

Re-usable 1st Stage Lox – RP1 Propellant Aluminum 2219-T6 Tanks “Flight Pressure Stabilized”

Design Common bulkhead 94% Mass Ratio Parachute to Water Landing

SpaceX Merlin Engine Thrust: 72k SL, 85k Vacuum Isp: 261 SL, 310 Vacuum Ablatively Cooled Pintle Injector Geometry Pump-fed Gas Generator Cycle Turbine Exhaust Roll Control Hydraulic TVC


Merlin Engine Test


Falcon Second Stage

Expendable 2nd Stage Lox – RP1 Propellant Aluminum Lithium Tanks Common Bulkhead 91 % Mass Ratio Engine:

7.5Klbf Vacuum Thrust Pressure Fed with GHe Isp: 325 Vacuum Hot Helium Attitude

Control Ablative/Radiative

Cooling Pintle Injector Geometry EMA for TVC


Kestrel Engine Test


Falcon Performance from VAFB

200 300 400 500 600 700 800100

200

300

400

500

600P

aylo

ad (

kg)

200 300 400 500 600 700 800

400

600

800

1000

1200

Launch from Vandenberg into Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Circular Orbit Altitude (km)

Pay

load

(lb

)

Direct InsertionTwo Impulse Insertion

Rev. K SB150 8/5/03


Performance from VAFB Varying Inclination

60 70 80 90 100 110 120350

400

450

500

550

600

Inclination (deg)

Pay

load

(kg

)Launch from Vandenberg into Circular Orbit

60 70 80 90 100 110 120

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

Pay

load

(lb

)

200 km500 km700 kmLaunch Azimuth Constraint

Rev K SB 150 12/17/03


Performance From Kwajalein

Launch from Kwajalein into Circular Orbit

450

500

550

600

650

700

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Inclination (deg)

Pay

load

(kg

)

990

1090

1190

1290

1390

1490

Pay

load

(lb

)

200 km

500 km

700 km


Predicted Injection Accuracies

Published accuracies:

inclination +/- 0.1 deg

perigee +/- 10 km apogee +/- 20 km

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

Deviation in perigee from nominal (km)

De

via

tio

n i

n a

po

ge

e f

rom

no

min

al

(km

)

Predicted accuracies:


Launch Sites: Falcon I and Falcon V

SLC 3W at the Western range (VAFB) for high inclination launches Reagan Test Site (Kwaj) for low to mid inclination launches Agreements also in place for LC-46 at the Eastern Range


Transporter/Erector


Launch Timeline, Standard SLV Mission


Falcon Launch Operations


Hurdles: The Non-Responsive Part

Operationally responsive space requires extensive non-recurring/preparatory effort (i.e. not responsive)

Hurdles are developmental and regulatory in nature Development hurdles include the capital investment and technical

development leading to production of a low cost capability Regulatory elements include:

MOA for launching; Annexes for individual Federal Sites Environmental FONSI Environmental permits Site license Range Safety Approval (FAA License) ATF DOT

SpaceX has been successful in clearing the hurdles and is looking forward to first flight this summer

Documents

Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited The Falcon Launch Vehicle: Towards Operationally Responsive Space Space Exploration Technologies 1310