INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A VERY LOW COST LAUNCH SER

Microcosm proposes to undertake technical evaluation of a launch vehicle concept capable of reducing near-term launch costs by a factor of 10. Phase I will determine the government requirements which can be met by the proposed vehicle and conduct a formal review of a specific point design and the methods employed to hold down cost. Phase I will result in an overall requirements definition, a point design to meet those requirements at dramatically lower than traditional costs, a technology demonstration plan, and the results of a formal review of these elements. Phase II will begin with a technology demonstration (building and firing tanks and engine) to show that the proposed methods can result in dramatic cost savings, even during the development cycle. It will also address specific technical issues such as control system response times, fabrication and assembley techniques, and issues raised during the Phase I review. By the end of the Phase II the government will have a demonstration of the key cost saving technologies, identification and assessment of the principal technical, cost, and management issues involved, and a specific plan for developing a new launcher for approximately the cost of procuring a single vehicle using more traditional approaches.