MuLV
MuLV is designed to be the world's smallest orbital launch
vehicle, capable of placing 350-1200 lb payloads into
low earth orbit. The system is operated with a minimal
ground crew and is easily transportable on its own mobile
ground launcher. The MuLV uses a turbo-pump fed 30,000
lb thrust common-core booster design to lower development
costs. A single motor system is designed and used for
the central booster motor, with a variety of combinations
of strap-on boosters of the same design. The lifting capacity
is determined by this first stage configuration. The second
stage is of nearly the same design as the first, but utilizes
a much greater expansion ratio. As a baseline the third
and final stage is a nitrous oxide hybrid that also uses
the nitrous cold gas for reaction control. Alternatively,
for special payload applications, a hydrogen peroxide
top stage is in design.
eAc is currently doing developmental firings of a 16"
diameter nitrous hybrid that will be the upper stage.
These early firings have produced approximately 11,000
lbs thrust levels. The first series of nine test firings
on this scale have allowed us to fine-tune the fuel grain
geometry and injector design. |
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