(Left) Armadillo Stig launch (Right) Stig rocket concepts for different payloads (via Armadillo Aerospace)
NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program is opening the door for private companies to win contracts with the agency to make reusable rockets that will fly up to 62 miles (100 km) up in the air and complete frequent missions. One of the front-runners for said contracts is Texas company Armadillo Aeronautics. In August 2010, the company won an experimental space vehicle contract with NASA, but in order to extend its partnership with the agency Armadillo must prove that is rockets are up to the demanding tasks of NASA. Armadillo has its own private agenda to become a competitor in the booming commercial spaceflight industry.
Armadillo Aeronautics received and FAA license in July of 2012 to do their own launches of reusable rocket vehicles. The industry motto “fly early, fly often and fly safely” is being taken to heart by the company that plans to send its STIG rocket into space later this year and launch one monthly for the next two years. The STIG rocket, standing at 35 feet, is a streamlined version of Armadillo’s Super Mod rocket, sporting cylindrical, instead of spherical tanks designed for optimum aerodynamics in high altitude flights. It is a single engine rocket fueled by liquid oxygen and ethanol alcohol that can carry a 110lb experimental payload, 62 miles up.
Stig rocket overview (via Armadillo Aerospace)
Using the STIG, Armadillo hopes to verify that all systems can operate in space, and the rocket can maintain communication with the ground to retrieve it safely. More importantly, the company hopes to impress NASA and land a longer contract with them. Adding to the importance of the STIG is the information that it will provide towards the Armadillo Black project that will be used for commercial space flights.
The Armadillo Black will be a rocket that will make round trips to space with enough room for a pilot and space tourists. Armadillo Black will use many similar systems, eight engines to carry the bigger load and will be a vertical takeoff and vertical landing space vehicle.
Armadillo had to scrub the launch of the STIG earlier this month. The entire reusable rocket industry is still learning a lot about the processes involved with such demanding endeavors. The industry also embraces the motto of “crash, burn and learn” especially after incidents like what happened to the Super Mod Armadillo rocket in 2011, when it disintegrated seconds after take off. Christine Anderson, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, said, "Many people often view an aborted flight test or one that did not achieve all mission goals as a failure. Assuming there was due diligence behind the flight test and sound engineering practice, I do not view these flights as failures." It is reported that Armadillo will launch the STIG in just a few week, missing the late September launch. However, no announcements as of yet.
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