Demonstration Launches From Cape Canaveral To Be Discussed
Masten Space Systems and Space Florida have signed a Letter of
Intent to explore performing demonstration launches of a Masten
suborbital reusable launch vehicle from Launch Complex 36 at Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station. “We have been looking at Florida
as a launch option for some time now,” stated Masten Founder
and CEO Dave Masten in a news release Monday. “We are excited
to begin the process of determining if Launch Complex 36 is a good
location for our flight operations, and hope to attempt a
demonstration launch sometime in 2011.”
Masten Space Systems is a rapid-prototyping rocket technology
research and development company based in Mojave, CA. Their
fully-reusable, vertical-takeoff-and-landing suborbital rockets are
designed to be operated frequently and affordably, flying several
missions per day with a small crew.
Masten’s and similar suborbital RLVs will enable frequent,
reliable, and low-cost access to the suborbital space environment.
This provides scientists and technology developers with
high-quality microgravity, clear observation of space phenomena, or
routine contact with the upper atmosphere. “We’ve had
interest from many researchers, scientists, and engineers,”
said Colin Ake, Masten’s Director of Business Development.
“We look forward to conducting regular flight operations in
the near future, including using suborbital flights as a quality
assurance ‘checkout’ for experiments bound for the
International Space Station.”
Masten currently develops its vehicles and carries out flight
tests in Mojave, CA. “As our vehicles near completion,
we’re searching for the ideal launch location from which to
base our flight operations team,” said Michael Mealling,
Masten’s CFO. “While we are preparing for a flight
demonstration in Florida, there are enough new space ports around
the country that evaluating them will take time. Our ultimate goal
is to develop enough market demand to justify flying from multiple
space ports. ”
Previous accomplishments by Masten Space Systems include winning
Level 2 and placing in level 1 flights of NASA’s Lunar Lander
Challenge in 2009 and the first demonstration of an in-air relight
of a Vertical Take-off/Vertical Landing rocket last May. Masten has
completed more than 70 successful flights to date on two prototype
RLVs.
“We are thrilled to have Masten looking at Florida’s
Space Coast,” stated Space Florida President Frank DiBello.
“We view companies like Masten as the catalysts for
innovation in our state’s aerospace economy. There is
significant potential for their launch vehicles to provide a
valuable platform for commercial research and development, and we
look forward to working with them to explore that potential here in
Florida.”
Minimal construction would be necessary to prepare SLC-36 for
Masten demonstration launches, according to Space Florida Spaceport
Operations leadership. “Everything about our vehicle feeds
directly into low-cost operations with minimal
infrastructure,” said Dave Masten. “We require a small
concrete pad and have optimized vehicle operations for a five
person team.”
Masten Xombie
The last recorded launch at SLC-36 was in February 2005, when an
Atlas 3B launched a classified NRO payload off of pad 36B.
Space Florida and Masten are at the forefront of the emerging
commercial space market. Both organizations share a
commitment to reducing the cost of launch and enabling increased
access to space. “It’s great to find ourselves on the
same path and we’re looking forward to exploring
opportunities in Florida,” said Masten.