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'''Interorbital Systems Corporation (IOS)''' is an American [[aerospace manufacturer]] based in [[Mojave, California]]. It was founded in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron, who also co-founded Trans Lunar Research.
'''Interorbital Systems Corporation (IOS)''' is an American [[aerospace manufacturer]] based in [[Mojave, California]]. It was founded in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron, who also co-founded Trans Lunar Research. Interorbital aims to be the lowest-cost launch provider in the commercial space industry.


Interorbital Systems is currently working on a line of launch vehicles aimed at winning the [[Google Lunar X Prize]]. The company was also a competitor for both the [[Ansari X Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.xprize.org/files/downloads/ansari/interorbital.pdf |title=X PRIZE Team Summary Sheet: Interorbital Systems |publisher=X PRIZE Foundation }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[America's Space Prize]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Space racers set sights on orbital frontier: After X Prize, some rivals seek more lucrative payoff |first=Alan |last=Boyle |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |publisher=''[[MSNBC]]''|date=October 8, 2004}}</ref>
Interorbital Systems is currently working on a line of launch vehicles aimed at winning the [[Google Lunar X Prize|Google Lunar X Prize.]] The company was also a competitor in both the [[Ansari X Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.xprize.org/files/downloads/ansari/interorbital.pdf |title=X PRIZE Team Summary Sheet: Interorbital Systems |publisher=X PRIZE Foundation }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[America's Space Prize]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Space racers set sights on orbital frontier: After X Prize, some rivals seek more lucrative payoff |first=Alan |last=Boyle |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |publisher=''[[MSNBC]]''|date=October 8, 2004}}</ref>


== Current Products ==
== Current Products ==


=== Google Lunar XPrize ===
=== Google Lunar XPrize ===
Interorbital Systems is currently engaged as a member of and launch provider for Team SYNERGY MOON in the Google Lunar XPrize competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_013.htm|title=Lunar Missions_1|website=www.interorbital.com|access-date=2016-06-05}}</ref> The team's lunar rover will be lifted to the Moon's surface by a 36-module version of the Neptune rocket.
Interorbital Systems is currently engaged as a member of and launch provider for Team SYNERGY MOON in the Google Lunar XPrize competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_013.htm|title=Lunar Missions_1|website=www.interorbital.com|access-date=2016-06-05}}</ref> The team's lunar rover will be lifted to the Moon's surface by a 36-module version of the NEPTUNE rocket.


==Research and development==
==Research and development==
Line 35: Line 35:
The [[Neptune (Rocket Family)|NEPTUNE]] system is Interorbital System's flagship line of launch vehicles built from varying configurations of the Common Propulsion Module.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_012.htm|title=Launch Vehicles_1|website=www.interorbital.com|access-date=2016-06-05}}</ref>
The [[Neptune (Rocket Family)|NEPTUNE]] system is Interorbital System's flagship line of launch vehicles built from varying configurations of the Common Propulsion Module.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_012.htm|title=Launch Vehicles_1|website=www.interorbital.com|access-date=2016-06-05}}</ref>


There are currently four stable configurations
There are currently four stable configurations:

⚫
*The NEPTUNE (N3): A three to four stage vehicle assembled from 3 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 18&nbsp;kg.
⚫
*The NEPTUNE (N5): A three to four stage vehicle assembled from 5 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 30–40&nbsp;kg.
⚫
*The Neptune (N7): A four stage vehicle assembled from 7 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 75&nbsp;kg.
⚫
*The NEPTUNE (N36) A four stage vehicle designed assembled from 36 CPMs with a maximum capacity of 1,000&nbsp;kg or a 191&nbsp;kg to Trans Lunar injection and 32&nbsp;kg to the Lunar surface. A variant of this configuration will be used to deliver Team [[SYNERGY MOON]] rover to the surface of the Moon for the [[Google Lunar X Prize]].
The N3 and N5 configurations are intended for launching [[CubeSat]]s, TubeSats, and other small satellites.


⚫
*'''The NEPTUNE (N3)''' A three to four stage vehicle assembled from 3 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 18&nbsp;kg.
⚫
*'''The NEPTUNE (N5)''' A three to four stage vehicle assembled from 5 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 30–40&nbsp;kg.
⚫
*'''The NEPTUNE (N7)''' A four stage vehicle assembled from 7 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 75&nbsp;kg.
⚫
*'''The NEPTUNE (N36)''' A four stage vehicle designed assembled from 36 CPMs with a maximum capacity of 1,000&nbsp;kg or a 191&nbsp;kg to Trans Lunar injection and 32&nbsp;kg to the Lunar surface. A variant of this configuration will be used to deliver Team [[SYNERGY MOON]] rover to the surface of the Moon for the [[Google Lunar X Prize]].
=== Lunar Sample Return Mission ===
=== Lunar Sample Return Mission ===
The lunar sample return mission will excavate and return material from the Moon's surface using the RIPPER Vehicle.
The lunar sample return mission will excavate and return material from the Moon's surface using the the company's own [[RIPPER]] Vehicle.


===Sounding rockets===
===Sounding rockets===

Revision as of 19:50, 6 June 2016

Interorbital Systems Corporation
IndustryAerospace
Founded1996
HeadquartersMojave, California
Key people
Rod Milliron and Randa Milliron (founders)
ProductsOrbital rocket launch Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
Websitehttp://www.interorbital.com/

Interorbital Systems Corporation (IOS) is an American aerospace manufacturer based in Mojave, California. It was founded in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron, who also co-founded Trans Lunar Research. Interorbital aims to be the lowest-cost launch provider in the commercial space industry.

Interorbital Systems is currently working on a line of launch vehicles aimed at winning the Google Lunar X Prize. The company was also a competitor in both the Ansari X Prize[1] and America's Space Prize.[2]

Current Products

Google Lunar XPrize

Interorbital Systems is currently engaged as a member of and launch provider for Team SYNERGY MOON in the Google Lunar XPrize competition.[3] The team's lunar rover will be lifted to the Moon's surface by a 36-module version of the NEPTUNE rocket.

Research and development

In 2007, Interorbital Systems claimed to be pursuing two separate lines of research.[4] The first being Sea Star TSAAHTO, a small rocket capable of delivering small satellite payloads into orbit,[5] which would generate capital for pursuing the companies flagship program: the Neptune; a line of launch vehicles designed to put humans into orbit.[6]

Common Propulsion Module

All of Interorbital's rocket designs are based on the Common Propulsion Module (CPM). The CPM is a small, self-contained rocket system capable of delivering a 145 kg payload to an altitude of 310 km. Multiple CPMs are combined through parallel staging to meet varying mission requirements. Though they have experimented with cryogenic fuel, Interorbital currently uses hypergolic White fuming nitric acid and Turpentine for oxidizer and fuel. The CPM is designed to maximize simplicity - it uses no turbopumps and no ignition system (because of the hypergolic propellants).[7]

The Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) performed its first successful test flight on March 29, 2014.[8] The payloads included two CubeSats, a SYNERGY MOON payload and a Red Hot Chili Peppers album. The rocket reached an altitude of 10,000 feet and will be reused for the next test flight. All payloads were recovered intact; these payloads were not released to orbit.[8]

Orbital spaceflight program

The NEPTUNE system is Interorbital System's flagship line of launch vehicles built from varying configurations of the Common Propulsion Module.[9]

There are currently four stable configurations:

  • The NEPTUNE (N3) A three to four stage vehicle assembled from 3 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 18 kg.
  • The NEPTUNE (N5) A three to four stage vehicle assembled from 5 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 30–40 kg.
  • The NEPTUNE (N7) A four stage vehicle assembled from 7 CPMs with a maximum payload capacity of 75 kg.
  • The NEPTUNE (N36) A four stage vehicle designed assembled from 36 CPMs with a maximum capacity of 1,000 kg or a 191 kg to Trans Lunar injection and 32 kg to the Lunar surface. A variant of this configuration will be used to deliver Team SYNERGY MOON rover to the surface of the Moon for the Google Lunar X Prize.

Lunar Sample Return Mission

The lunar sample return mission will excavate and return material from the Moon's surface using the the company's own RIPPER Vehicle.

Sounding rockets

Interorbital Systems has successfully tested a number of rocket engines in the 500-5,000 lbf (2 to 22 kN) thrust range and conducted flight tests of its small testbed, Neutrino. Neutrino is a sounding rocket designed for low-altitude suborbital flight, for the purpose of testing systems of its larger follow-on rockets.

IOS holds an active Office of Commercial Space Transportation Launch License for Tachyon,[10] a sounding rocket designed for a 120-mile apogee suborbital flight.

Preliminary Design Concepts

  • Solaris: a suborbital rocket design that was initially IOS' attempt to win the Ansari X Prize. It did not get off the ground in time and was beaten by Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne.[11]
  • Sea Star TSAAHTO (Stage And A Half To Orbit): The largest design. It can be fitted to carry either cargo or human passengers. To do so, a crew module has been designed. This space capsule is to be capable of housing five crew members and a pilot, and sits atop the Neptune TSAAHTO during launch. The rocket itself is composed of eight large common propulsion modules and eight small common propulsion modules and can place a 7,000-pound payload into a 250-mile 51° orbit.

See also

References

  1. ^ "X PRIZE Team Summary Sheet: Interorbital Systems" (PDF). X PRIZE Foundation.[dead link]
  2. ^ Boyle, Alan (October 8, 2004). "Space racers set sights on orbital frontier: After X Prize, some rivals seek more lucrative payoff". MSNBC. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Lunar Missions_1". www.interorbital.com. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  4. ^ "Interorbital Talk to The Space Fellowship about the Google Lunar X-Prize, progress and landing rovers on the Moon". Space Fellowship. September 23, 2007.
  5. ^ "SEA STAR TSAAHTO". Interorbital Systems. Archived from the original on 2012-05-13.
  6. ^ "Space Tourism". Fast Track. BBC News. 2008.
  7. ^ "Synergy Moon Presentation at 2011 GLXP Summit". YouTube. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  8. ^ a b http://web.archive.org/web/20140407090735/http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)[failed verification]
  9. ^ "Launch Vehicles_1". www.interorbital.com. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  10. ^ Milliron, Randa (2006-05-28). "Advantages of Using White Fuming Nitric Acid (WFNA) as an oXidizer in Rockets". Lunar Lander Challenged. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
  11. ^ "Space racers set sights on orbital frontier". MSNBC. 2004-10-08. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
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