DARPA Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1)

[bobbymike]

http://www.airforce-technology.com/features/featurexs-1-phase-b-darpas-new-space-plane-looks-skyward-4809183/

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.defensenews.com/video/unmanned-beyond-land-air-sea-and-space?utm_medium=player&utm_campaign=player_referral

 

[bobbymike]

DARPA XS-1 Spaceplane Award Coming Soon

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency expects to award a contract for the XS-1 spaceplane program “soon,” according to a contractor authorized to speak about the program. Michael Arnone of Spire Communications said DARPA is indeed in the final stages of a “downselect” to choose one company to proceed into the flying phase of the spaceplane, which is meant to be a two-stage to orbit vehicle potentially able to bring down the cost of space lift “by orders of magnitude,” according to DARPA’s website. Arnone acknowledged that program plans called for the downselect in late 2016 or early this year, but “this is the government and things sometimes take time,” he said. Phase I of the program explored concepts offered by Boeing partnered with Blue Origin, Masten Space Systems teamed with XCOR Aerospace, and Northrop Grumman working with Virgin Galactic. However, the Phase II contractor won’t necessarily be chosen from the three Phase I participants. After downselect, a critical design review would take place in 2018 and a series of flights could be made as early as 2020. One of the program requirements is to fly 10 suborbital or orbital missions in as many days, achieving space operations with “aircraft-like” frequency, DARPA said. If successful, a “public-private partnership” model of operating the vehicles could be adopted, DARPA documents show.

 

[FighterJock]

It will be interesting to see who wins the competition. Good to see Virgin Galactic and Northrop working together.

 

[sferrin]

It will be interesting to see who wins the competition. Good to see Virgin Galactic and Northrop working together.

Not surprising really, considering the VG / Scaled Composites relationship.

 

[bobbymike]

It will be interesting to see who wins the competition. Good to see Virgin Galactic and Northrop working together.

Not surprising really, considering the VG / Scaled Composites relationship.

I see the booster on it's back breaking away to reveal an HTV-2 ;D

 

[Flyaway]

New blog post on the XS-1.

http://www.leonarddavid.com/darpa-xs-1-spaceplane-contract-decision-near/

 

[bobbymike]

http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/05/darpa-xs-1-spaceplane-could-have-test-flights-by-2020.html

 

[fredymac]

From the video description:

"DARPA has selected The Boeing Company to complete advanced design work for the Agency’s Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program, which aims to build and fly the first of an entirely new class of hypersonic aircraft that would bolster national security by providing short-notice, low-cost access to space."

So this award is just for design work. I don't have expectations that they will get much past there. I wonder who Boeing is thinking about for the reusable rockets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEZDWoJdC7w

 

[GeorgeA]

DARPA press release:

http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2017-05-24

Boeing press release:

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-05-24-Boeing-DARPA-to-Design-Build-Test-New-Experimental-Spaceplane

Aerojet press release:

https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/05/24/995805/0/en/Aerojet-Rocketdyne-Selected-As-Main-Propulsion-Provider-for-Boeing-and-DARPA-Experimental-Spaceplane.html

The AR-22 seems to be an early version of the RS-25 built up from spare parts.

 

[Flyaway]

Jeff Foust @jeff_foust

Interesting that Boeing’s vehicle will be powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne engine; Boeing had partnered with Blue Origin on XS-1 Phase 1.

https://mobile.twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/867398825408909313

Jeff Foust @jeff_foust

Replying to @thehighfrontier
The DARPA release includes the 10 flights/10 days test requirement in phase 3.
4:55 pm · 24 May 2017

https://mobile.twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/867408696833343489

 

[sferrin]

From the video description:

"... an entirely new class of hypersonic aircraft ...

:

 

[Flyaway]

Boeing, DARPA to base XS-1 spaceplane at Cape Canaveral

A reusable suborbital spaceplane the size of a business jet being developed by Boeing and the Defense Department’s research and development arm could be launching and landing at Cape Canaveral in 2020, officials said after the defense contractor won a competition last month to design and test the vehicle.

The Phantom Express booster stage would be powered by a single Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-22 engine, a version of the space shuttle main engine, burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants.

Boeing originally partnered with Blue Origin, the space company founded by Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos, as an engine provider for the XS-1 program, but later switched to an Aerojet Rocketdyne engine, according to Cheryl Sampson, a Boeing spokesperson.

“We conducted trade studies with Blue Origin in the first phase of the program,” Sampson wrote in an email to Spaceflight Now. “Boeing selected the Aerojet Rocketdyne engine for this next phase as it offers a flight proven, reusable engine to meet the DARPA mission requirements.”

Aerojet Rocketdyne said it will provide two engines for the XS-1 program with “legacy shuttle flight experience to demonstrate reusability, a wide operating range and rapid turnarounds.”

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/13/boeing-darpa-to-base-xs-1-spaceplane-at-cape-canaveral/

 

[bobbymike]

https://www.space.com/38558-darpa-spaceplane-will-protect-national-security.html

 

[sferrin]

https://www.space.com/38558-darpa-spaceplane-will-protect-national-security.html

The only way this will have a hope in hell is if they stick to it instead of throwing in the towel at the first sign of difficulty like they usually do.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Indeed.

 

[DrRansom]

https://www.space.com/38558-darpa-spaceplane-will-protect-national-security.html

The only way this will have a hope in hell is if they stick to it instead of throwing in the towel at the first sign of difficulty like they usually do.

I really don't understand the XS-1 project. DARPA seems like the agency least suited to a multi-year vehicle development program. The XS-1 design specifications call for a state-of-the-art aircraft design, which means time and money to develop and flight test.

Meanwhile, Space-X has already solved the reusable launch vehicle problem, so low-cost access to space is halfway there.

It seems like DARPA doesn't really have a solid idea for XS-1. Is it to launch micro-sats to cheaply replace constellations? Then design a low-cost expendable rocket, a la the cancelled Firefly(?) program. Is it to launch medium complexity satellites, then use Space-X vehicles. A reusable aircraft is about the most expensive option around and doesn't give a major benefit compared to the other two.

So yes, I expect this to be cancelled as soon as the winner asks for the real money necessary to develop an operational XS-1.

 

[dark sidius]

Compeletly false , the reusable vehicle is the way to launch with low cost assets in space and in a case of war the fact to have a reusable launcher abble to launch each type of assets is a domination on the ennemy.

 

[DrRansom]

If the systems is meant as a backup for wartime, then a super cheap rocket sounds like a much better lifetime cost than a reusable space plane.

The whole XS-1 program begs for an AOA.

 

[dark sidius]

There is a possibility to use the futur Space-X BFR for the same military use.

 

[fredymac]

Aerojet completes first AR-22 and plans on demonstrating multiple runs without refurbishment during the summer. Thrust level is 375,000lbs. It's bascially a derated SSME engine so hopefully they can meet the 10 flight/refurb requirement. Now it's up to Boeing to build/integrate the XS-1 per budget and schedule. It would be interesting to know how much (if any) of their own money they are putting into this.

First Engine Assembled for DARPA and Boeing Reusable Experimental Spaceplane
http://www.rocket.com/article/first-engine-assembled-darpa-and-boeing-reusable-experimental-spaceplane

 

[Flyaway]

Engine tests underway for DARPA spaceplane program

http://spacenews.com/engine-tests-underway-for-darpa-spaceplane-program/

The Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-22 engine is in the midst of a series of 10 100-second engine firings over the course of 10 days at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. As of July 2 the company has completed six such tests and was on track to complete the rest on schedule.

Boeing is beginning to build hardware for the Phantom Express vehicle. The vehicle’s liquid oxygen tank, made of composite materials, is currently in an autoclave being cured, said Steve Johnston of Boeing. “We’re in the production of flight hardware, from a tank standpoint.”

 

[FighterJock]

Will this new spaceplane be future competition for Reaction Engine's Skylon spaceplane? :-\

 

[Archibald]

nope, they are not in the same league, even the USAF Sabre-powered thing is different from XS-1.

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

When I asked Reaction Engines CEO Mark Thomas a similar question regarding the XS1, he replied that the Boeing XS1 program lead, has already said in a public address that air breathing is the only practical way to realise this type of vehicle. Although DARPA’s XS1 project director may not agree (yes I’ve seen the vid), considering Boeing recent investment, I reckon money speaks louder than words.

 

[Archibald]

I don't think so. Both "USAF Skylon TSTO" and XS-1 will have an expendable kick stage to send a payload to Earth orbit. Both have a recoverable first stage, fine, but I fail to see how airbreathing has any advantage over full blown rocket. Both have pros and cons that matches pretty equally.

 

[GeorgeA]

Also, the AR-22 exists and can be easily integrated into a conservatively-designed vehicle. The RE engine is new and requires significant development to get to the flight test stage. As Archibald says, each approach has pros and cons, but the rocket VTOHL TSTO is very close to fruition, while airbreathing TSTO technology will take some time to mature.

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

“I fail to see to see how airbreathing has any advantages over full blown rocket”

Three words “Payload mass fraction”. The full blown rocket gives a payload mass fraction of 5-7% whereas airbreathing offers maybe 20% possibiy more= smaller fuel load for a given payload & smaller overall vehicle, more manageable infrastructure.

As for the comment “not really”

Steve Nordlund, Vice President of Boeing HorizonX said:

“We continue to connect capabilities around the globe with our investment in Reaction Engines, which is our first in a UK-based company. As Reaction Engines unlocks advanced propulsion that could change the future of air and space travel, we expect to leverage their revolutionary technology to support Boeing’s pursuit of hypersonic flight.”

Sure the XS1 can be made today XS(n) airbreathing will have to wait until a flight worthy engine is available but Boeing are keen, and investing in airbreathing.

 

[Archibald]

Except that the gain in payload mass fraction are negated by a) the mass of the airbreathing system and (most importantly) b) the cost of developing it against plain old rocketry like the SSME
So yes, they are matched.
And don't read too much in the press release. They are packed with hype.

 

[Orionblamblam]

“I fail to see to see how airbreathing has any advantages over full blown rocket”

Three words “Payload mass fraction”. The full blown rocket gives a payload mass fraction of 5-7% whereas airbreathing offers maybe 20% possibiy more= smaller fuel load for a given payload & smaller overall vehicle, more manageable infrastructure.

Errrrmmm... As for "more managable infrastructure," your airbreather is *still* going to have to be a rocket powered vehicle, from Mach-wherever-the-airbreathers-quit to orbit. So you've got all the complexity of a rocket vehicle, all the same parts except *maybe* smaller, married to a vehicle that not only has an airbreathing system but into it, but *integrated* into it, meaning non-mass-optimized structures and propellant tanks, plus the headache of an active structural coolant system to keep your vehicle from melting as it chugs along at Mach A Billion through the *air.*

As for "smaller overall vehicle," the Skylon D1 supposedly could put 17,000 kg into orbit, for a vehicle 88 meters long; the Falcon 9 Block 5 can send about 18,000 kg to LEO for a vehicle with an overall length of 71 meters. The Skylon would gross 325,000kg, while the F9 is 549,000 kg... but the Skylon has an empty weight of 53,400 kg of the most advanced actively cooled structures while the F9 is about 37,000 kg of relatively straightforward materials.

The difference in gross weights is propellants, largely LOX. Which, compared to operations and maintenance, is *cheap.*

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

Of course you trade the mass of oxygen carried against the mass of the collection equipment but until no ones even come up with a feasible technical solution.

Yes I agree, hype is hot air but money talks.


As for vehicle size, I know RE are looking at super chilled liquid methane. With the sabres LH2 cycle, more LH2 is required as heat transfer fluid than is needed for propulsion. So there’s margin for a not so cold working fluid. The key advantage with liquid methane is that it’s over two and a half times the volumetric energy density as LH2. Less volume, smaller tanks, less mass moments, lighter structures, better payload mass fractionr;- a SSTO of similar proportion to a large civil aircraft might just be within reach.

I understand the current problem with hot gas impingement on the aft fuselage but I’m unconvinced that the final configuration will need complex cooled structure as there are other ways to address this problem.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/DARPA/status/1015309159758213120

10 successful 100-second AR-22 engine firings in 240 hours! The @AerojetRdyne, @NASA, @BoeingSpace & DARPA team just proved the propulsion system is ready for our Experimental #Spaceplane program's goal to launch on demand with rapid turnaround.

 

[Flyaway]

SSME returns as AR-22 for rapid reuse demonstration, fired ten times in ten days

“This test campaign that we just finished, which is the firing of 10 [times] in 10 days, was a significant ‘go/no-go’ milestone for us in order for us to move forward with the program,” Scott Wierzbanowski, DARPA’s Program Manager for XSP, said during a teleconference on July 10. “We needed to show that the main propulsion system, the AR-22, could in fact support rapid turn operations.”

“What you’ll see is that we were extremely successful. We completely destroyed previously held records of how you deal with a liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen type engine and shattered this idea that these types of engines can’t be used in a very operable and very aircraft-like way.”

The demonstration test series began with a 100-second test firing in the A-1 test stand at Stennis on June 26 and was successfully completed on July 6. “We scored a perfect ‘ten’ last week,” Jeff Haynes, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Program Manager for AR-22, said.

The rapid turnaround engine demonstration was a major test in Phase 2 of the program, which continues with design and construction of the booster vehicle and integration of the expendable upper stage. Phase 3 will see flight testing of the system, beginning with test flights of the booster itself, then carrying payloads.

Phase 3 is planned to include a similar rapid turnaround demonstration of the vehicle, flying it and turning it around ten times in ten days.

Fabrication of vehicle subassemblies is already underway, with tank construction going on in the Seattle, Washington, area. “This is a collaborative effort within Boeing between our defense and commercial airplanes and our enterprise technology business,” Johnston said.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/ssme-returns-ar-22-rapid-reuse-ten-times-ten-days/

This program really seems to be moving along at a fair old pace. At one point I doubted it would ever fly but now it looks all well on track.

 

[Flyaway]

Composite tank fabrication signals next step to completing Phantom Express

The building of the Phantom Express vehicle is underway, and we are making significant steps in bringing this reusable spaceplane to life. We recently completed fabrication of one of the most crucial parts of the vehicle – liquid oxygen propellant cryotank.

This tank, as well as the forthcoming liquid hydrogen composite cryotank, are key components for the spaceplane. When operational, the propellant tanks will fuel the recently tested AR-22 main engine that launches the vehicle into space.

Engineers across Boeing leveraged the technologies developed from the previous NASA Composite Cryotank Technologies and Demonstration (CCTD) research program and joined with our commercial materials, processes, and equipment.

 

[antigravite]

Composite tank fabrication signals next step to completing Phantom Express

The building of the Phantom Express vehicle is underway, and we are making significant steps in bringing this reusable spaceplane to life. We recently completed fabrication of one of the most crucial parts of the vehicle – liquid oxygen propellant cryotank.

This tank, as well as the forthcoming liquid hydrogen composite cryotank, are key components for the spaceplane. When operational, the propellant tanks will fuel the recently tested AR-22 main engine that launches the vehicle into space.

Engineers across Boeing leveraged the technologies developed from the previous NASA Composite Cryotank Technologies and Demonstration (CCTD) research program and joined with our commercial materials, processes, and equipment.

Great. Let's make a 10c bet. When all these test articles are manufactured, near completion, start to integrate the full scale vehicle, this program will stop being funded at least in the white world and will keep going - business as usual - in the black realm. That's a pattern.

A.

 

[Antonio]

Please, try to avoid offensive posts

 

[fredymac]

To the surprise of no one. Program awards should consider the intent of a bidder to actually commercialize and use the technology being pursued rather than just use it as another charge number.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/01/22/boeing-withdraws-from-darpa-spaceplane-program/

After receiving more than $150 million in U.S. military funding to design and develop a reusable winged spaceplane named Phantom Express, Boeing said Wednesday it is ending its work on the vehicle, effectively killing....

 

[Archibald]

WTH ??? is that a remote side effect of the 737 MAX debacle ? Geez, another spaceplane hull for the collection, another corpse to join the X-33, X-34 and so many others...

 

[Flyaway]

Could be also because of the financial hit they are taking on the Max.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Could be also because of the financial hit they are taking on the Max.

Very short sighted, even so.