Aerospace Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AEROSPACE REPORT xcor.com At XCOR it is our aim to make space accessibile for everyone. We do this by developing instant reusable propulsion systems and spacecrafts that power them. As we aim to keep everyone updated on our projects we would like to introduct the Aerospace report. The aerospace report elaborates on XCOR’s two major projects, the Lynx spacecraft and the Hydrogen Propulsion System. Please enjoy our November report. The XCOR Team LYNX SPACECRAFT BACK TO THE DESIGN BOARD The XCOR Lynx Program has implemented a pause in fabrication activities while the design activity and related documentation is completed. Even though the program made great forward progress integrating the vehicle structural elements during 2015 and early 2016 the progress on the control surface elements lagged in design. In an effort to prevent potential rework resulting from implementing designs not yet mature the Lynx fabrication was paused, so our engineering team has gone back to the design board. CONTROL SURFACES The control surfaces are the flaps hinged to the airframe of Lynx. These surfaces or linkages are able to deflect air stream passing over them. This way, a redirection of force is generated to move or rotate the spacecraft TRIM FLAPS on certain axis or in certain direction. The inboard trim flaps also house the speed brakes and the outboard ones look shorter because they have the elevons attached to their trailing edges. LYNX NOSE ANALYSIS Besides designing the control surfaces for Lynx’s airframe, other crucial parts of Lynx are analyzed to assess if the particular part can withstand the forces that occur during a spaceflight. Daniel Hastings and Stephen Galik from our design engineering team are reviewing an analysis of Lynx’s nose. It shows what the failure points are in the structural design of the nose, which are fundamental pillars in optimizing its structure. AIRCREW DOCUMENTATION The Lynx aircew documentation continues being developed. Jeremy Voigt, propulsion engineer, explains the propulsion systems and its cockpit displays to the test pilots. See our test pilots Brian Binnie below (in white shirt) and Harry van Hulten (standing behind Jeremy). AIRCREW DOCUMENTATION The test pilots use these inputs for developing their checklist procedures. XR 8H21 LIQUID HYDROGEN ENGINE VERTICAL LAUNCH VEHICLE XCOR rocket engines can be used in vertical launch vehicles that bring payloads into space; examples range from access to low Earth orbit (LEO) to Pluto. This payload can have a variety of missions which could be a small satellite or science research instrument. The visual on the left shows how a launch vehicle deploys its different stages. Our liquid-fueled engine would be fired at the second stage (step 4) once the booster is fully burned and detached from the so-called second stage. When desired height and position of the payload is achieved, the upper stage is detached from the payload. IMAGE CREDIT: NASA/MSFC MISSIONS TO MARS... Our upper-stage engine technology is also suitable for a variety of existing and planned launch vehicles which might include the planned NASA Space Launch System (SLS) for their deep space missions. NASA SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM This launch vehicle from NASA is being built to send astronauts on mission to an asteroid and even Mars. XR 5H25 ENGINE This is the subscale’s test stand of the 8H21 engine, which we finished developing in 2015 to prove the engine technology. HYDROGEN ENGINE HOT FIRE EXTRA SAFETY One of the key features that makes our rocket engine technology unique is its instant reusability. All of XCOR’s rocket engines can be turned on and off at will, which greatly reduces the time and cost required for ground-testing the engines. This means that, during development, XCOR engines will be fired many times on the ground before the engines are certified for spaceflight. Hence, the risk of an engine anomaly or non-performance is much smaller during an actual mission. ENGINES IN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE To give you an idea of the order of magnitude of our different engines please have a look at the visual on the left. First off, the 3N22 is one of 12 little thrusters built in Lynx to maneuver in space. The 5H25 is the subscale of the 8H21 hydrogen engine and the 5K18 engine is one of the 4 rocket engines that is thrusting Lynx in space. The 5M15 is an engine designed with ATK for NASA. Fueled by Methane, it is designed to power manned space vehicles from Lunar orbit and Mars to Earth. THE BEAST AT THE BOTTOM IS THE 8H21. NOZZLES Engineers Matt Bennett (left) and Geoff Licciardello (right) inspect a spin-formed section of an engine nozzle and (in Geoff’s hands) an additive manufacturing version of the 5K18 Lynx engine nozzle. xcor.com.