Interorbital Systems
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Interorbital Systems Corporation (IOS) is an American aerospace company based in Mojave, California. It was founded in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Millirond, who also co-founded Trans Lunar Research. The company is currently working on a line of launch vehicles aimed at winning the newly created America's Space Prize. Interorbital Systems was also a competitor in the Ansari X-Prize. The company has successfully tested a number of rocket engines in the 500-5,000 lbf (2 to 22 kN) thrust range.
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[edit] Aqueous launches
Interorbital Systems' prototypes are all designed to be amphibious (capable of launch from land or sea). Although IOS currently launches its spacecraft from Mojave SpacePort it plans to develop and implement a method for launching directly from the water without a launch platform. The vehicle is towed into position by a 33m (100 ft) crew boat, then a ballast is suspended from the submerged tail-section to provide proper orientation and stability during launch. According to IOS, sea launches are inherently less dangerous than land launches because they reduce the chance of damage to people or property in the event of a failed launch. As a result it is easier and less expensive to obtain a license for sea operations.
[edit] Launch vehicles
Interorbital Systems is currently developing 4 prototype vehicles for various purposes.
- Neutrino is IOS's smallest spacecraft and is designed for suborbital flight.
- Tachyon is designed for orbital flight.
- Sea Star NSLV is designed to reach orbit and is planned to be launched in 2007 [1] from the Pacific Ocean near Los Angeles. Interorbital incorrectly claims that if Sea Star NSLV is launched on schedule it will be the world's first private satellite-launching rocket, a title long held by Orbital Sciences Corporation's Pegasus launch vehicle.
- Neptune is Interorbital's flagship spacecraft, designed to carry large payloads into the orbit (6390 pounds at 400 miles) and lunar orbital (1,800 pounds) range. The low cost and high capacity Neptune rockets were designed with space tourism and space mining in mind. According to Interorbital's web site, Neptune is also planned to be used for lunar sample return-missions and in transporting supplies for lunar base construction.
[edit] See also
- America's Space Prize
- Private spaceflight
- Space shuttle
- Orbital spaceflight
- suborbital flight
- Ansari_X-Prize
- New Shepard
- List of private spaceflight companies - A compiled list of private spaceflight companies
