Progress Toward First Flight of the QuickReach™ Small Launch Vehicle

AirLaunch LLC has made steady and impressive progress over the past three years in design and development of the QuickReach™ Small Launch Vehicle. QuickReach™ is carried inside of and launched from a C-17A or other large cargo aircraft. It is designed to meet the needs of the DARPA/U.S. Air Force Falcon SLV program to deliver 1,000 pounds to Low Earth Orbit for $5M per flight with less than 24 hours response time. The vehicle is also intended to fulfill the National Space Transportation Policy priority of demonstrating Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) capability by 2010. A responsive and flexible launch capability, such as AirLaunch, can deploy specialized small satellites that provide the warfighter with real-time data and communication during time-urgent situations. Responsive space would allow the government to react quickly and launch small satellites equipped with sensors to augment or replace baseline space assets for urgent needs. AirLaunch has accomplished significant milestones to date in Phase 2B of the Falcon SLV program, including building and testing engine and payload fairing hardware, conducting engine test fires and analyzing the vapor pressurization (VaPak) propulsion system, establishing a comprehensive safety program using Air Force and Mil Std processes, proving its “Gravity Air Launch” methodology through successful drop tests from the C-17 aircraft, and completing the Incremental Critical Design Review (I-CDR). This paper gives a status on the technical and safety progress of the QuickReach™ to date and the next steps planned toward first flight