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
- $124,550
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CA
- Period
- 2012-02-13 → 2012-08-13
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 high Isp pump-fed engines that operate at high chamber pressures 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 development of the stage separation mechanisms, payload fairing and main engine gimbal as part of the Phase I effort.