UAV To Launch Satellites Into Space

UAV To Launch Satellites Into Space

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Launching satellites into space is expensive business. The launch is done by very heavy missiles that demand propulsion using a long of fuel. Furthermore, the missile used to launch satellites into outer space is usually disposable – meaning all the money and investment that went into building it are non-reusable and so are lost when there are no parts left to be re-used in the next launch. In order to save costs and re-use the satellite launching platform, the Pentagon has decided to invest funds and award a contract of $6.6 million to Boeing so that it can continue the development of its XS-1. This unmanned aerial vehicle’s goal will be to carry the satellite into space, place it in orbit around Earth and return to its launching base to be re-used during the next launch.

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The XS-1 can carry a load of between 1.3 and 2.2 tons and its research development is partially funded by DARPA, which operates under the Pentagon. This launching platform is still in its initial B1 stage and is planned to be ready in about a year. The DARPA demands of Boeing are that the vehicle could make 10 flights into space in a time period of 10 days – a flight a day – at a speed of 10 Mach – all that at a cost of less than $5 million for each flight.

DARPA is now holding a new tender for each stage of the system development. Boeing has won the bid for the B1 stage, but that doesn’t mean it will go on developing the next stage in the development chain. DARPA intends to hold a new tended for the B2 stage in the near future.

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