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Andrews Joins USAF Hybrid Launch Vehicle Effort
Seattle WA (SPX) May 11, 2006 Andrews Space has been awarded a contract to define the architectures of the U.S. Air Force's Hybrid Launch Vehicle. Andrews becomes one of four contractors the Air Force has selected to develop the HLV as part of its Operationally Responsive Spacelift program. The HLV is envisioned as a low-cost launch system comprising both reusable and expendable vehicle elements that can be combined to deploy payloads between 2,000 and 60,000 pounds to various orbits. The Andrews HLV team, with experience gained from past NASA and DARPA launch-system contracts, intends to define a flexible modular hybrid launch architecture, the company said in a statement. 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. Under the contract, Andrews will analyze various HLV architectures, evaluate supporting infrastructure and identify critical technologies, processes and systems, and identify a demonstration vehicle concept. "The current effort will be critical to fielding an operationally responsive launch system," said Michael L. Wolfert, Andrews Space's director of military and homeland security programs. "Reusable elements with rapid-turnaround times are enabling parameters in meeting our customer's goals for cost and responsiveness." Wolfert is a retired Air Force colonel. The contract, valued at $2.6 million, includes a 14 month base period, with an optional six-month extension. Related Links USAF Hybrid Launch Vehicles Andrews
Europea Consolidates Aerospace Research Facilities
Amsterdam, Holland (SPX) May 11, 2006Three European aerospace research organizations - the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory, the German Aerospace Center and the French Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales � announced Wednesday they are integrating their aerodynamic wind tunnel facilities. |
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