Designed and tested by Lockheed Martin's Michoud Space Systems division, the hydrostatic proof testing of the K-1 liquid oxygen tank was conducted to simulate the pressures the tank will experience during flight.

``This is an exciting time for us,'' said Robert Wang, chairman of Kistler Aerospace. ``With the help of outstanding contractors like Lockheed Martin, we continue to move through major milestones, like the one today, with great results. Lockheed Martin's experience with Space Shuttle external tanks and X-33 liquid oxygen tanks gave us every reason to believe the K-1 tank design would be successful.''

The aluminum fuel tank, which will contain liquid oxygen to be used during first stage boost, was filled with approximately 33,600 gallons of water to resemble flight pressures and prove flight worthiness. During the proof test procedure, a maximum pressure of 44 pounds per square inch was generated hydrostatically at the rear of the liquid oxygen tank.

Following non-destructive evaluation of the tank, Lockheed Martin technicians will complete final installations and cleaning to prepare the component for installation in the K-1 launch vehicle. Final assembly will take place at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.

Kistler Aerospace is the leading 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.

Kistler Aerospace

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Microsat sets new standards in space exploration
Vancouver - April 23, 1998 -
Using a satellite the size of a suitcase, a UBC researcher hopes to provide clues to one of astronomy's most fundamental questions: How old is the universe? "With a relatively small amount of money and a very small satellite, we're going to address a large and fundamental question about the history of our universe. And we will do this using a telescope no bigger than those used by backyard stargazers," says Jaymie Matthews, an assistant professor in the Dept. of Physics and Astronomy and principal investigator of the Microvariability and Oscillations of STars (MOST) project. MOST will be Canada's first space telescope.