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Launcherone: Revolutionary Orbital Transport for Small Satellites

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Launcherone: Revolutionary Orbital Transport for Small Satellites William Pomerantz, A.C. Charania, Steve Isakowitz, Brian Morse, Kevin Sagis 13 August 2013 LAUNCHERONE: REVOLUTIONARY ORBITAL TRANSPORT FOR SMALL SATELLITES Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 2 VG Overview • World’s first spaceline • Privately funded US company, using US technology, and employing US persons at US R&D and Manufacturing facilities • Building and operating three vehicles: – SpaceShipTwo (SS2): air-launched sub-orbital spacecraft for 8 passengers (2 crew, 6 customers). Designed by Scaled Composites / NG; Built by Virgin Galactic. – LauncherOne (L1): air-launched orbital launch vehicle for small satellites (~500 lbs). Designed and Built by Virgin Galactic. – WhiteKnightTwo (WK2): Air-launch platform for carrying SS2 and L1 to 50,000 feet for safe release. Designed by Scaled Composites / NG; Built by Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 3 SPACESHIPTWO (SS2) Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 4 SpaceShipTwo (SS2) Mission Profile Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 5 SpaceShipTwo First Powered Flight April 29, 2013 Release Altitude: 47,000 feet (45 minutes into flight) Max. Altitude: 55,000 feet Max. Speed: Mach 1.2 (Supersonic) Engine Burn Time: 16 seconds Virgin Galactic,Proprietary LLC Proprietary Data 6 LAUNCHERONE Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 7 LauncherOne (L1) System • Small satellite launch vehicle designed by Virgin Galactic – Utilizes the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft air launch platform (drop at 50kft) – Carry ~200kg satellites into LEO for <$10M/launch – Initial capability in CY2015, full commercial operations in CY2016 • Leverages Virgin Galactic commercial capability to distribute costs • Delivers significant responsive launch capability Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 8 LauncherOne Overview FIRST STAGE SECOND STAGE PAYLOAD Approaches • Designed to prioritize simplicity and functionality • Two stage design minimizes complexity • Mature liquid propulsion engines designed for low cost construction with extensive development and test • Simple, low-cost composites structure • Simple and integral fail-safe Automated Flight Safety System Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 9 VG Proprietary LauncherOne (L1) Initial Commercial Customers and Partners Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 10 Preliminary Payload Accommodation • Designed for easy integration of ESPA-class payloads • Configurable for dedicated primary or multiple primary payloads • Composite payload fairing with access doors and RF window installation • Scalable for various levels of service (e.g . power, telemetry, etc.) • Scalable for various CubeSat dispenser systems (e.g. 3U, 6U, etc.) • Draft Payload User’s Guide to be released in 2013 Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 11 LauncherOne Value Proposition • LOW COST – Simple design with ample margin – Technical demos early to lower risks before full-scale development – Maximize use of existing assets to spread fixed costs – Higher flight rate with combined USG/Comm’l market • DEDICATED – Fast, responsive integration with launch vehicle (rapid alternate to second payload launch) – Reduce contract time to orbit • EVOLVABLE – Scalable capability for various payload classes – Designed for nanosatellite launch for Cubesats • COMMERCIAL SYNERGY – Shares costs with existing and funded commercial development – Syncs with National Space Policy on fostering commercial launch – Supports future commercial applications Virgin Galactic, LLC Proprietary Data 12 LauncherOne Revolutionary Orbital Transport for Small Satellites .
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