SBIR-STTR Award

The technical innovation proposed here is the design during Phase I of a high performance upper stage for a two-stage "20 / 450" Nanosat Launch Vehicle (NLV) that is configured to deliver up to 20 kg to a 450 km low Earth orbit (Figure 1). Parallel tasks prepare for the Phase II development and sub-orbital flight testing of a prototype vehicle that is directly traceable to the orbital-capable NLV. Furthermore, by teaming with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Space Corporation to pathfind the concept of operations at the latter's Kodiak Space Launch complex, we are taking a key step towards establishing dedicated launch access to polar orbits for the cubesat and nanosat communities.

Our Phase I results include a preliminary design for an advanced nanosat launch vehicle (NLV) upper stage that features several advanced propulsion technologies, as well as extensive empirical data from a series of pathfinding operations conducted at both the Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska on Kodiak Island and the Poker Flat Research Range. For Phase II, we are taking major steps, such as building a prototype upper stage, static fire testing it, and conducting another round of pathfinding operations at Kodiak in pursuit of an opportunity to manifest such a prototype stage on a suborbital flight test.Key technologies include LOX/densified propylene propulsion system, liquid rocket engine featuring a 3D additively manufactured injector, pyro-free mechanisms, and use of elements of NASA's Autonomous Flight Termination Unit. Our RI - University of Alaska Fairbanks - will continue to support the evaluation of UAS utilization for range services like telemetry acquisition.