Lockheed Delivers Kistler Fuel Tank

Kistler Aerospace has taken delivery of its first liquid oxygen tank for the K-1 reusable launcher from manufacturer Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems. The seven-meter diameter LOX tank is a welded aluminum pressure vessel capable of holding more than 33,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant and will fuel the K-1’s first stage.

“This roll-out is especially significant because this is one of the first completed components of the K-1 reusable launch vehicle that is ready for final assembly,” said Robert Wang, chairman of Kistler Aerospace.

“Roll-out demonstrates our success to date in developing and building a new launch vehicle completely on private capital and says a great deal about our business and technical achievements.”

Completion of the first stage liquid oxygen tank follows a successful proof test, conducted on April 21, which verified the pressurized vessel is flight worthy and capable of handling launch pressures. During proof testing, the aluminum tank was filled with approximately 33,600 gallons of water, producing a maximum pressure of 44 pounds per square inch at the rear of the tank.

“This is an exhilarating moment for all of us at Kistler,” said Dr. George Mueller, chief executive officer of Kistler Aerospace. “The delivery of the K-1 tank, tested and verified for flight worthiness, is another important step in the pursuit of the company’s mission.

“By using a small fleet of light space vehicles, Kistler hopes to lower the cost of transporting satellites to low Earth orbit, broaden markets for commercial space activities, and generate new space business opportunities.”

Designed and built at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, the first stage liquid oxygen tank is the largest of four tanks Michoud Space Systems will build for each of the Kistler two-stage reusable launch vehicles. Lockheed Martin is currently building a total of five shipsets of tanks. The second stage liquid oxygen tank is near completion.

Kistler Aerospace is the developer of the K-1 fully reusable aerospace vehicle, designed to deliver satellites to low-Earth orbit and provide a low-cost alternative to single-use launch vehicles. Kistler is a privately-funded U.S. company with corporate offices in Kirkland, Wash., and executive offices in Los Angeles.

Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems designs and assembles welded and composite pressurized tanks for aerospace applications, including the Space Shuttle External Tank and the X-33/VentureStar Reusable Launch Vehicle.