Company Projects
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This is the ONLY vehicle that can launch in a Category 1 hurricane! That is 74 - 95 mph winds!!
2,000 lbs Payload To LEO For Under $5 Million
Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company (WSPC)
is designing a responsive and low cost SLV
that uses a unique solid rocket motor that gives the SLV versatile performance and
low cost. The SLV's propellant is WSPC's high performance, environmentally friendly, low
cost, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) space booster propellant.
Its unique SLV solid rocket motors provide real time
controllable thrust with a unique expansion-deflection (E-D) exit cone.
The E-D exit cone concept has been verified by CFD analysis and solid
rocket motor static firings. The E-D exit cone also provides optimum
expansion of the exhaust gases at all altitudes.
These features give WSPC's SLV the highest level of mission versatility to deploy unmanned hypersonic vehicles or satellites.
WSPC has been supported in this work with U.S. Air Force funding. Click here for a related article from a AFRL Kirtland AFB newsletter, WSPC was awarded another contract in November 2006 by the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards AFB to continue development of the SLV.
During Phase II of the SLV's development,
WSPC has been testing critical SLV components with bench testing and
static motor firings. Static firings have demonstrated
complete real time throttling capability. WSPC's unique
thrust vector control system does not vector the nozzle or exit cone, both
are fixed during motor operation. Static firings
have demonstrated thrust vector angles beyond what flexseals and liquid injection TVC systems can achieve. (Subscale thrust
management test upper right)
In 2009, WSPC will test a half scale
version of the SLV's third stage to verify complete thrust management and
thrust vector control. In Phase III, WSPC will launch a full scale
version of
the SLV's third stage on a suborbital flight in 2011. This flight will verify the guidance and control systems. During that time period, WSPC will also static fire full scale versions of the first and second stages. In 2012, WSPC will launch the SLV with all three stages to put a satellite into orbit. Wickman Spacecraft
& Propulsion Company (WSPC) is a pioneer in the area of low
cost launch vehicles. The key to launch cost was identified as lowering
the cost in three critical areas, (1) propulsion, (2) guidance and control
and (3) launch site operations. In order to be successful in reducing
launch costs, all three of these areas must experience cost reduction from
present levels.
The initial focus of WSPC's work was to develop
low cost propulsion systems. This effort was started under Air Force
contract to develop a PSAN solid propellant oxidizer and a propellant
formula that could successfully make full use of it. A co-founder of the
company, Dr. Adolf Oberth, was successful in both of
these regards. When Dr. Oberth retired, Mr. Wickman continued his research by refining the propellant formula until it was possible to mix and cast the propellant without vacuum or curing ovens, yet obtain a propellant quality equal to vacuum casting. The propellant consists of WSPC's PSAN-I ammonium nitrate, magnesium powder, HTPB binder and a plasticizer. The plasticizer thins out the propellant for easy mixing in a non-propellant commercial mixer. The resultant propellant is ready to pour for casting the solid rocket motor.
WSPC Small Launch Vehicle Features
All Solid Propellant SLV
- Always ready to go on a moments notice
- No fuel or oxidizer support vehicles and/or tanks
- No dangerous venting of fuel or oxidizer vapors
- No pressurized helium, LOX or fuel tanks to endanger ground crews
- Low levels of manpower to launch SLV
- All weather capability - Solids demonstrated in
all weather conditions around the world
WSPC's PSAN Solid Rocket Propellant Reduces Production Cost
- No vacuum mixing or casting eliminates need for expensive mixers and casting fixtures
- No oven cure eliminates need for expensive curing ovens
- Non-toxic, non-detonable propellant ingredients
means less expensive production equipment
WSPC's PSAN Solid Rocket Propellant Reduces Launch Cost
- Minimal environment impact - No hydrochloric acid in the exhaust
- Exhaust totally benign on launch support equipment unlike conventional solid propellants - Non-corrosive exhaust and no particle impingement damage from the exhaust
- Safe, non-detonable solid propellant - Can be hit repeatedly with a hammer without ignition or explosion.
- Excess propellant can be reduced to a non-toxic oxide with water
- Eliminates environmental processing costs associated with AP propellant
- Propellant is non-toxic to the touch with no
hazardous vapors
New Type Of Expansion-Deflection Exit Cone
- Optimum thrust at all altitudes of operation
Real Time Control Of Throat Area
- Real time thrust level control
- Provide thrust vector angles potentially up to 22 degrees with fixed nozzle and exit cone
- Provide thrust termination without explosive ordinance
- Provides self destruct of vehicle without
explosive ordinance
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