Eclipse Launch Vehicle Concept Development

The high cost and schedule delays associated with existing domestic launch systems which service DoD and commercial payloads have severely limited timely access to space and are seriously eroding the U.S.'s ability to compete internationally in this market. Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. (KST) is proposing the conceptual and system test development of Eclipse; an innovative and comprehensive air launch system that can significantly improve the cost, responsiveness, reliability and safety of access to space. The objectives for Phase I of this proposed program are to: 1. Developed the conceptual design for a critical component of the Eclipse launch system. 2. Construct a computer simulation of the critical component functions. 3. Conduct parametric runs of the simulation over projected operational and emergency conditions. 4. Refine the cost, performance, and technical risk projections of the critical component. 5. Analyze existing, scalable test data to evaluate the feasibility of the critical component. 6. Document the results of this effort.