Andrews joins USAF hybrid launch vehicle effort

Posted on: May. 11th, 2006 || Source: andrews-space.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

SEATTLE, Wash., -- May 9, 2006 -- Andrews Space, Inc. (Andrews) has been awarded a contract by the United States Air Force (USAF) to define architectures for a Hybrid Launch Vehicle (HLV).
Andrews is one of four contractors selected to develop operational Hybrid Launch Vehicle approaches as part of the United States Air Force’s Operationally Responsive Spacelift program. The HLV is a responsive low-cost launch system that consists of both reusable and expendable vehicle elements which can be combined to deploy payloads between 2,000 and 60,000 lbs to various orbits.

The Andrews HLV Team is leveraging its extensive responsive space launch experience base, gained from past NASA and DARPA launch system contracts, to define a flexible, modular hybrid launch architecture. The HLV will be capable of launching payloads within 48 hours to a wide range of orbits at a fraction of the cost of current launch systems.

During the effort the Andrews HLV Team will analyze and trade various HLV architectures, evaluate supporting infrastructure, and identify critical technologies, processes, and system attributes. Based on the selected operational approach, the Andrews HLV Team will identify a subscale demonstration vehicle approach that validates critical operational attributes.

Col. Michael L. Wolfert (USAF, Retired), Andrews Space Director of Military and Homeland Security Programs, said, “Andrews is extremely pleased to participate in this phase of the program. The current effort will be critical to fielding an operationally responsive launch system. Reusable elements with rapid-turnaround times are enabling parameters in meeting our customer’s goals for cost and responsiveness.”
The contract, valued at $2.6 million, includes a 14 month base period and a 6 month option period.
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