DARPA cancels ALASA small launch vehicle
Posted: Sun, Dec 6, 2015, 9:59 AM ET (1459 GMT)
DARPA has scrapped plans to launch small satellites from a fighter jet. The Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program, under a contract with Boeing, planned to develop a rocket deployed from an F-15 for launching small satellites. The rocket used a unique propellant, a mixture of nitrous oxide and acetylene, but that propellant exploded in ground tests earlier this year, raising questions about its safety. DARPA has now dropped plans to perform up to a dozen launches of the ALASA vehicle, and will instead continue tests of the propellant and other technologies.
DARPA has scrapped plans to launch small satellites from a fighter jet. The Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program, under a contract with Boeing, planned to develop a rocket deployed from an F-15 for launching small satellites. The rocket used a unique propellant, a mixture of nitrous oxide and acetylene, but that propellant exploded in ground tests earlier this year, raising questions about its safety. DARPA has now dropped plans to perform up to a dozen launches of the ALASA vehicle, and will instead continue tests of the propellant and other technologies.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
China launches first Long March 12A, but booster landing fails
Posted: Sun, Dec 28 9:50 AM ET (1450 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, January 2
Starlink is lowering thousands of satellites' orbits to reduce risk of collisions
Engadget — 8:33 am ET (1333 GMT) Europe Is Losing the Space Race. More Rules Won't Help
Bloomberg News — 8:33 am ET (1333 GMT) SpaceX will lower Starlink satellites to reduce collision risk
The Verge — 8:30 am ET (1330 GMT) SpaceX is moving thousands of Starlink satellites in orbit to reduce the chances of them colliding with rivals
Business Insider — 8:30 am ET (1330 GMT) China warns Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites pose ‘safety and security’ risk
The Independent — 8:28 am ET (1328 GMT) |
