The American agency DARPA has published information about the beginning of development of a new space-based hypersonic reusable drone. In particular, the Stars and Stripes resource wrote about this. The new drone is currently designated the XS-1. It is reported that the hypersonic unmanned vehicle is planned to be used to deliver equipment to low-earth orbit. What kind of equipment we are talking about is not specified.
The new space drone received the designation XS-1 for a reason. Previously, the X-1 code belonged to an experimental rocket-powered aircraft, which was created by Bell designers in the first half of the 40s of the last century. It was the X-1 in October 1947 that became the first manned vehicle in history to overcome the speed of sound. During the flight, this experimental aircraft developed a speed of 1, 04 Mach or about 1150 km / h. Already in 1948, the Bell X-1 aircraft demonstrated a new record, reaching a speed of 1600 km / h, and in 1954, even 2600 km / h.
It should be noted that for the first time information about the eXperimental Spaceplane-1 program appeared back in September 2013. At that time, this program was considered only as an addition to the already existing ALASA (Airborne Launch Assist Space Access) program, within which it was planned to develop a new solution for launching microsatellites into orbit worth less than $ 1 million using traditional aircraft. Now the program has changed, and the XS-1 has been separated into an independent development, which provides for a full cycle of work on the creation of this device. In the description of the program, it is reported that the hypersonic space drone should become not only cheap, but also expandable, suitable for simple repairs, and also initially reusable.
According to the requirements of the American military, XS-1 will have to develop speeds of about 10 Mach numbers (about 11, 5 thousand km / h) and carry on board a variety of payloads with a total mass of 1, 36 to 2, 27 tons. At the same time, the cost of launching such a space UAV should not exceed $ 5 million. The device will have to withstand a series of 10 launches into orbit for 10 days in a row.
XS-1 image from DARPA website
Currently, the fate of the XS-1 is not finally decided. Numerous consultations are underway with potential creators of a hypersonic space drone regarding the implementation of this project. In the event that the project is implemented in practice, the device will be designed according to a scheme that is similar to that of another space drone, the X-37B. This device was created in the interests of the American Air Force by the Boeing concern. In total, two X-37B drones were built, one of which has been in orbit for more than 400 days.
The takeoff weight of this drone, which, after returning from earth orbit, can land like an airplane, is about 5 tons. The length of the X-37B is 8.8 m, the wingspan is 4.5 m. The estimated duration of stay in low-earth orbit is 270 days. According to unconfirmed information at the moment, the X-37B drones in the future can be used for reconnaissance purposes, as well as for delivering various spacecraft into orbit.
The Advanced Development Agency DARPA expects to conclude the first contracts for the creation of a new hypersonic space drone in the very near future. The new ship will have to make a test flight in 2017. It is assumed that the bulk of the contracts for the design of the XS-1 or eXperimental Spaceplane-1 will be issued during April-May of this year. DARPA experts expect that the XS-1 program will significantly reduce the cost of delivering cargo to orbit.
With the help of the new drone, the military expects to deliver into orbit from 1.36 to 2.3 tons of various cargoes with an average cost of launching a UAV below $ 5 million. At the same time, the drone will be able to go into space almost monthly, and it is planned to carry out 10-12 launches a year. In the description of the program, it is indicated that most of all developments will be aimed specifically at implementing reusable space flights, but part of the developments will be aimed at developing supersonic atmospheric vehicles for both military and civil purposes.
X-37B
The description of the new item says that it will have an open architecture and will be able to operate on any type of fuel. At the same time, the specialists of the DARPA agency say that they can give the contract for the production of XS-1 both to one contractor and to several independent firms. Independent experts already note the fact that the XS-1 space drone is likely to be focused on meeting the needs of government users in space, but not intelligence or military, but, first of all, civilian departments: meteorology, civil communications, rural economy, etc.
The drone, which will have to develop a speed of more than 10 Mach numbers, will be able to carry a payload weighing from 1.36 to 2.27 tons in a special detachable stage. The fact that within the framework of a series of launches the device should not need repair and maintenance is especially stipulated. Preparation for each subsequent launch of the XS-1 should be limited only to refueling and a general check of the vehicle's onboard systems.
Of particular note is the launch cost, which should not exceed $ 5 million. As a comparison, the four-stage Minotaur IV rocket, which the US Air Force uses today to launch small satellites into orbit, can be cited. This launch vehicle is able to put into orbit up to 1.73 tons of payload, while the cost of its launch is estimated at $ 55 million. These missiles have been in use since 2010. In total, only 5 launches were carried out during this time, which is slightly more than one space launch annually.
It is assumed that XS-1 will climb into the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere, where separation of the consumable stage containing the payload will take place. This stage will launch satellites and other vehicles into orbit. It is reported that the price of the detachable stage will be $ 1-2 million. The mass of the stage together with the mass of the payload will not exceed 6, 8 tons. The maximum take-off weight of the space drone will be no more than 101.6 tons (the launch weight of the Minotaur-IV launch vehicle is 86.2 tons).
Minotaur-IV launch vehicle
The first contracts for the development of the XS-1 drone are to be awarded in the first half of 2014. It is assumed that the cost of each of the contracts will be $ 3-4 million. Already in 2015, it is planned to conclude an agreement with one of the companies on the economic assessment of the project, the release of a prototype drone and a series of tests worth 140 million dollars. If there are no shifts in the financing of this program, then in the 3rd quarter of 2017 the device will be able to take off. And the first flight into low-earth orbit should take place in 2018.
During a series of XS-1 tests, you will have to overcome the speed of 10 Mach numbers at least once, launch a payload into orbit, and make 10 flights in 10 days. In this case, the requirements for the mass of the payload and the turnover of the vehicle, that is, strict adherence to the rule "1 flight every 24 hours", will not be imposed.
The military emphasizes the fact that the creation of a hypersonic space drone will allow them to free themselves from a tight schedule for launching spacecraft. Today, every rocket launch has to be planned in advance, while all space launches are usually already scheduled several years in advance. At the same time, programs for the creation of new spacecraft that need to be launched into space can and significantly get out of the previously planned terms. And this, in turn, could threaten to disrupt the planned missile launches. At the same time, with reusable drones, this problem can be forgotten, since in the event of certain delays, the launch of the device can be postponed as many times as necessary. At the same time, the US military is pursuing another goal. They seek to provide themselves with an additional source of attracting profits, which can be directed to the implementation of other important from the point of view of military projects.
