ASTRA SPACE OPERATIONS, INC. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: Ventions proposes the development of a pump-fed, 2-stage nano launch vehicle for low-cost
ASTRA SPACE OPERATIONS, INC. — SBIR Phase I award from National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- Amount
- $199,477
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CA
- Period
- 2013-05-23 → 2013-11-23
Description
Ventions proposes the development of a pump-fed, 2-stage nano launch vehicle for low-cost on demand placement of cube and nano-satellites into LEO. The proposed vehicle uses high T/W and Isp pump-fed engines that operate at chamber pressures>750psi without the weight penalty of high pressure tanks, thereby realizing payload fractions in the 1-2% range. Ventions has already completed several component-level demonstrations in the area, and is proposing additional optimization / testing of a 5,000lbf LOX / RP-1 turbopump-fed engine as part of this Phase I in-order to demonstrate a flight-ready 1st stage propulsion system.