The Low Cost Nanolauncher will have a variety of applications within NASA. The direct result of Phase I will be a design for an upper stage propulsion system that has been validated by subscale testing. It will be inexpensive to fabricate and operate, costing an estimated $70,000 per launch. This upper stage will compliment the Nano Launch 1200 project at NASA, Marshall. This vehicle is destined to allow NASA to deploy small payloads to orbit without the restrictions and delays associated with piggybacking on larger vehicles. The Low Cost Nanolauncher propulsion system is applicable to many vehicle sizes both smaller and larger than the proposed stage. The simplicity and low cost of the vortex engine, ablative nozzle, and self pressurizing propellants make it ideal for small rockets with small budgets. The propellants are also storable and relatively benign, which gives the system a huge advantage over some of the higher performance alternatives. These qualities may be useful in other NASA programs such as the NASA Launch Services Enabling eXploration & Technology (NEXT) program. The propulsion system developed in Phase I is sized appropriately for a sounding rocket. With the addition of an airframe and parachutes the Low Cost Nanolauncher will become an inexpensive sounding rocket for use in atmospheric and near space research. It will also provide a means of flight testing thrusters, nano-satellites, and small components to increase their TRL level.
The propulsion system developed in Phase I will easily be transitioned to a sounding rocket. This sounding rocket would be low cost, reusable, and available on a flexible schedule. It will allow commercial customers fly payloads (5-10kg) on sub-orbital launches to 120km. This vehicle is expected to provide sub-orbital trips to space for $5,000/kg. Small businesses and research institutions would use this service to fly high altitude research equipment and test experimental hardware on sub-orbital launches to increase the TRL of their products. The educational system would be a new market made possible by low costs. From elementary school to college, educators and student groups could afford to make small payloads and have them launched. Such an experience would be an unparalleled tool for inspiring interest in applied math and science. All of these markets will benefit from flexible schedules and lower launch costs. During Phase II and Phase III a family of stages for an orbital vehicle will be developed. Such a vehicle will have a broad application. As a dedicated nanosatellite launch vehicle the Orbital Nanolauncher will be ideally suited to meeting expanding market demands. Without being tied to the launch of larger rockets, as most launches currently are, the Orbital Nanolauncher will provide flexible schedules and on-demand launch. The low vehicle cost and simple fabrication means production will easily scale to meet demand.
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