SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M. and CADDO
MILLS, Texas, Jan. 23, 2018
/PRNewswire/ -- Spaceport America, America's first
purpose-built commercial spaceport, and EXOS Aerospace Systems
& Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of suborbital
reusable space launch vehicles based in Caddo Mills, Texas, announce significant
progress towards launch of their newest vehicle, the Suborbital
Active Rocket with GuidancE, or SARGE.
EXOS has completed the design and build of their latest platform
and completed a fully integrated hot fire testing in December.
Additionally EXOS Aerospace is expecting the FAA/AST launch license
determination by Feb 14th
2018. The testing and license progress marks major milestones
achieved. The recent acceptance testing connected all systems
required for flight, and in full launch operations, fired the
rocket engine using steel cables to hold the rocket to the test
pad. The engine produced about 5500 lbs. of thrust. The EXOS
test and evaluation process validates the full integration of
hardware, software and human procedural interface from one test
facility.
"It is great to see such an innovative privately funded company
entering these final phases of testing before launch of the EXOS
SARGE vehicle at Spaceport America," said Daniel Hicks, Spaceport America CEO. "This test
will bring them one step closer to regular commercial launches and
ultimately tenancy and planned O&M activities that can create
new high tech jobs in New
Mexico."
"We are excited to move two critical steps closer to launches at
Spaceport America," said John Quinn,
the EXOS Aerospace Systems & Technology Inc COO. "We look
forward to enabling space research, manufacturing, and educational
opportunities for the world by providing frequent flights that
provide fast and affordable access to Space. Since the 36-foot tall
20 inch diameter SARGE rocket is designed for reusability, its
robust design is built to test by simulated test flying just 10-15
feet off the ground." This testing has proven key to validating the
systems functionality and reliability over the last 12 months as
EXOS has completed three evolutionary design cycles of their engine
technology. SARGE will be using NASA's Morpheus flight code
(acquired through a Space Act Agreement) that was modified by a
team of scientists from EXOS, Intuitive Machine, C-Squared, Helios
and XISP Inc.
Want to know more and have an opportunity to speak with EXO's
COO in person? Join them at the 2018 Air Force Contracting Summit
in Destin-Miramar Beach, FL on January 29-30. This
national defense conference will feature a major presentation by
EXOS. The Summit is produced by the Defense Leadership
Forum: www.defenseleadershipforum.org/airforcecontractingsummit#!
What's next for Exos?
Hover testing- Much like our teams history with a lunar
lander development and test project for NASA, the final testing of
the SARGE platform will do a vertical takeoff and landing. The
hover test will include a vertical takeoff at low engine power
(eliminating the need for tie down straps), a hover test that
includes using gimbal action to move around the pad, an Attitude
Control System (ACS) to point and rotate the rocket, followed by a
smooth descent back to the pad (once fully tuned). Successful
completion of this testing and tuning is the final step in
validation prior to launch.
About EXOS Aerospace Systems & Technologies, Inc.
EXOS is a leading developer of suborbital reusable space launch
vehicles based in Caddo Mills,
Texas. EXOS provides affordable, repeatable, and
reliable commercial spaceflight with accelerated turnaround for
re-flight. Our payload customers are those who want to "fly now,"
rather than a year from now, who need minutes of micro-Gravity
time, and prompt access to their flown payload. EXOSis
booking payloads now and has SPACE available. EXOS also does a 'Wet
Leasing' of a SARGE vehicle for an extended research campaign.
Contact us for more details via the contact us link at
www.Exosaero.com.
About Spaceport America
Spaceport America is the first
purpose-built commercial spaceport. The FAA-licensed launch
complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White
Sands Missile Range in southern New
Mexico, boasts 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace,
low population density, a 12,000-foot spaceway, 340 beautiful days
of sunshine, low humidity-- all at a 4,600 foot altitude to add to
our customers' launch capacities. Some of the most respected
companies in the commercial space industry are customers at
Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, Boeing, ULA, UP Aerospace and
EXOS. Visit http://spaceportamerica.com and
http://gatewaytospace.com for more information.
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SOURCE Spaceport America