RS1 (rocket)
{{Short description|Launch vehicle platform by American aerospace company Long Wall}}
{{Infobox rocket|name=RS1|diameter={{cvt|1.83|m}}|height={{cvt|26.8|m}}|stages=2|country-origin=United States|manufacturer=Long Wall|capacities={{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = LEO
|inclination = 28.5°
|kilos = {{cvt|1,350|kg}}
}}
{{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = SSO
|inclination = 98.7°
|kilos = {{cvt|970|kg}}
}}
{{Infobox rocket/payload
|location = GTO
|inclination = 28.5°
|kilos = {{cvt|320|kg}}
}}|function=Small-lift launch vehicle|status=Active|sites={{Unbulleted list
| Kodiak Island, LP-3C
}}|launches=1|fail=1|other_outcome=1 (pre-flight destruction)|first=10 January 2023
|stagedata={{Infobox rocket/stage
|stageno = First
|type = stage
|diff = Block 1
| diameter = {{cvt|1.83|m}}
| engines = 9 × E2 Sea Level
| thrust = {{cvt|485|kN}}
| SI =
| burntime =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
|stageno = First
|type = stage
|diff = Block 2
| diameter = {{cvt|1.83|m}}
| engines = 11 × E2 Sea Level
| thrust = {{cvt|591.615|kN}}
| SI =
| burntime =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| stageno = Second
| diameter = {{cvt|1.82|m}}
| engines = 1 × E2 Vacuum
| thrust = {{cvt|58|kN}}
| SI =
| burntime =
}}
|cpl=US$12 million}}
RS1, also called RSX, is Long Wall's (Formerly ABL) main launch vehicle platform. Both stages are powered by the company's E2 rocket engine, with nine (Block 1) to eleven (Block 2){{cite web | url=https://ablspacesystems.com/news/flight-2-static-fire-update/ | title=Flight 2 – Static Fire Update }} in the first stage, and one in the second stage. They are powered by Jet-A kerosene as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer, with the option to use RP-1 fuel for higher performance. {{cite web|url=https://ablspacesystems.com/rocket/|title=Even Rockets Can Be Simple|publisher=ABL Space Systems|date=2020|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207184127/https://ablspacesystems.com/rocket/|url-status=dead}}
The containerized launch system and rocket can be deployed to and launched from a suitably flat site, the main requirements being access for trucks capable of carrying up to {{cvt|16|m}}-long ISO containers (for the RS-1 first stage), and a flat concrete pad {{cvt|46|m}} x {{cvt|15|m}}.
History
In 2020, Long Wall was planning the first orbital launch of its RS1 rocket in 2022. The firm received contracts worth US$44.5 million from the United States Air Force, as well as private funding equaling US$49 million. According to founder Dan Piemont, the US$44.5 million Air Force contracts{{cite web|url=https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2147250/afrl-awards-agreements-under-aerospike-rocket-integration-and-sub-orbital-exper/|title=AFRL awards agreements under Aerospike Rocket Integration and Sub-orbital Experiment (ARISE) Program|publisher=Wright-Patterson AFB|date=13 April 2020|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101201805/https://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2147250/afrl-awards-agreements-under-aerospike-rocket-integration-and-sub-orbital-exper/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} include a one-year deal from the tech incubator AFWERX to demonstrate launch technology and an agreement with Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Enterprise Consortium to conduct three demonstrations of a RS1 vehicle variant and deployable ground infrastructure in 2022.
RS1 claimed to be capable of carrying a payload of {{cvt|1350|kg}} to low Earth orbit.{{cite web|date=3 August 2020|first=Sandra |last=Erwin |title=Small launch startup ABL secures over US$90 million in new funding and Air Force contracts|url=https://spacenews.com/small-launch-startup-abl-secures-over-90-million-in-new-funding-and-air-force-contracts/|access-date=15 February 2021|publisher=SpaceNews}} It was {{cvt|27|m}} tall. Claimed launch price was US$12 million per flight.{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Foust|url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-increases-performance-and-cuts-price-of-its-small-launch-vehicle/|title=ABL Space Systems increases performance and cuts price of its small launch vehicle|date=February 1, 2019|access-date=November 11, 2019|publisher=SpaceNews}} Long Wall had over 70 launch agreements.{{cite web|date=Oct 31, 2023|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsclFLDwgIM&t=1510s|title=The Road to Flight 2, with Dan Piemont (ABL Space)| website=YouTube |language=en|format=video}}
The maiden flight on January 10, 2023, failed after a fire in the aft cavity damaged key harnessing, causing the engines to shut down 11 seconds into flight. RS1 crashed down near the launch pad, damaging infrastructure at the Pacific Spaceport Complex.{{Cite web |title=FAA Closes RS1 Mishap Investigation |url=https://ablspacesystems.com/news/faa-closes-rs1-mishap-investigation/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=ABL Space Systems |language=en}} The second attempt at launch failed on July 19, 2024 due to a static fire testing failure. After the second flight failure, the company decided to terminate their commercial launch program, and instead focusing on turning RS1 into a missile defense launch vehicle.{{cite news |last1=Erwin |first1=Sandra |title=ABL Space exits commercial launch market, shifts focus to missile defense |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-exits-commercial-launch-market-shifts-focus-to-missile-defense/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=SpaceNews |date=15 November 2024}}
Long Wall was also developing a modified RS1 with first stage engine replaced with an aerospike engine, as part of AFRL's ARISE program.{{cite web |title=ARISE AND FLY – Air Force Research Laboratory |url=https://afresearchlab.com/technology/arise-and-fly/ |website=afresearchlab.com |publisher=AFRL |access-date=28 November 2024}} In September 2022, AFRL designated X plane number X-63 to this modified RS1 configuration.{{cite web |title=AFRL’S ROCKET LAB PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE |url=https://afresearchlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AFRL_Rocket-Lab-background_0922.pdf |website=afresearchlab.com |publisher=AFRL |access-date=28 November 2024}} A test launch was initially scheduled for 2023, but has now since been delayed to an unspecified time.{{cite web |last1=Norris |first1=Guy |title=AFRL Responsive Space X-Vehicle Flight Tests On Track For 2023 {{!}} Aviation Week Network |url=https://aviationweek.com/space/afrl-responsive-space-x-vehicle-flight-tests-track-2023 |website=aviationweek.com |publisher=Aviation Week |access-date=28 November 2024}}
=Previous design=
In 2019, RS1 was planned to have three E1 engines, each producing {{cvt|42000|lbf|order=flip}} of thrust to power the rocket's first stage. A single E2 engine, with {{cvt|13000|lbf|order=flip}} of thrust, was planned for the rocket's second stage. Both engines would use liquid oxygen and RP-1 propellants. The first development build of the vehicle has been completed.{{cite web|date=1 February 2019|first=Jeff|last=Foust|title=ABL Space Systems increases performance and cuts price of its small launch vehicle |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-increases-performance-and-cuts-price-of-its-small-launch-vehicle/ |access-date=15 February 2021|publisher=SpaceNews}}
Testing
In 2019, Long Wall conducted testing of the E2 rocket engine at the company's test facilities at Spaceport America, New Mexico, which "provided the perfect location and support staff for us to test the E2 rocket engine". The test was considered a success.{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Carol A. |title=Spaceport America announces test operations of ABL Space Systems |url=https://ladailypost.com/spaceport-america-announces-test-operations-of-abl-space-systems/ |access-date=16 November 2021 |agency=Los Alamos Daily Post |date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116124712/https://ladailypost.com/spaceport-america-announces-test-operations-of-abl-space-systems/ |url-status=live }}
In early 2020, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) joined with Long Wall to test and develop rocket-propulsion components.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/01/rocket-report-key-dragon-test-on-tap-big-year-for-rocket-debuts/ |title=Rocket Report |publisher=Ars Technica |date=7 January 2020 |access-date=22 May 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509115329/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/01/rocket-report-key-dragon-test-on-tap-big-year-for-rocket-debuts/ |url-status=live}} In October 2020, the second stage with E2 engine was tested at Edwards Air Force Base.{{cite news |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-tests-launch-vehicle-stage/ |title=ABL Space Systems tests launch vehicle stage |work=SpaceNews |date=22 October 2020 |access-date=22 May 2021}}
On 19 January 2022, an anomaly during testing at Mojave Air and Space Port resulted in the destruction of the second stage of the RS1 rocket.{{cite news |date=20 January 2022 |title=ABL Space Systems rocket stage destroyed in test accident |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-rocket-stage-destroyed-in-test-accident/ |access-date=26 January 2022 |work=SpaceNews }} On 27 January, the source of the anomaly was publicly identified by Long Wall CEO Harry O'Hanley as being one of the second stage's E2 Vacuum engine's turbopumps suffering a hard start, which led to a "substantial fire on the aft end of the vehicle, resulting in a complete failure about 20 seconds later".{{cite news |date=27 January 2022 |title=ABL Space Systems test accident to delay first launch by three months |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-test-accident-to-delay-first-launch-by-three-months/ |access-date=28 January 2022 |work=SpaceNews }}
After three earlier attempts to launch their RS1 rocket in December 2022, the company shifted the launch attempt to January 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/abl-space-systems-launch-delay-january-9 |title=Rocket startup ABL Space Systems pushes debut launch to Jan. 9 |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=December 16, 2022 |website=space.com |access-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110083739/https://www.space.com/abl-space-systems-launch-delay-january-9 |url-status=live }} The maiden flight on January 10, 2023 failed.
The second attempt at an orbital launch (DEMO-2 mission) was precluded as the rocket being prepared for that launch suffered irreparable damage in a fire at the launch pad following a static-fire test on 19 July 2024.{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Foust |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-loses-rocket-after-static-fire-test/ |title=ABL loses rocket after static-fire test |work=SpaceNews |date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 23, 2024}}
Launch sites
=Pacific Spaceport Complex=
The first RS1 flight was planned for 2022 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island,{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-to-launch-nasa-technology-demonstration-mission/ |title=ABL Space Systems to launch NASA technology demonstration mission |work=SpaceNews |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021}} but the launch attempt was aborted. After two additional aborts, the first launch occurred on January 10, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=2023-01-11 |title=Start-up fails first launch as rocket explodes off Alaska's coast |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/10/world/abl-space-systems-satellite-launch-alaska-scn/index.html |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111003415/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/10/world/abl-space-systems-satellite-launch-alaska-scn/index.html |url-status=live }} The maiden flight also failed and did not reach orbit.
= Vandenberg =
In the late 2010s, the company announced they received a right of entry to use Launch Complex 576E at Vandenberg Space Force Base for the RS1. As of 2020, their first launch from the complex was planned in 2021.{{Cite web |last=SpaceRef |date=2020-10-22 |title=ABL Space Systems performs integrated stage test of the RS1 launch vehicle |url=https://spacenews.com/abl-space-systems-performs-integrated-stage-test-of-the-rs1-launch-vehicle/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}
=SaxaVord Spaceport=
On 7 February 2021, Lockheed Martin and the United Kingdom announced a contract with Long Wall to launch the UK Pathfinder mission (6 CubeSats) in 2022, from the Shetland Space Centre on the island of Unst, Scotland.{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/lockheed-martin-selects-abl-space-systems-for-uk-launch/|title=Lockheed Martin selects ABL Space Systems for UK launch |publisher=SpaceNews|date=7 February 2021|access-date=22 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.c4isrnet.com/global/europe/2021/02/08/british-militarys-space-campaign-picks-up-steam-with-skynet-upgrade/|title=British military's space campaign picks up steam with "Skynet" upgrade|publisher=C4ISRNET|date=8 February 2021|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429015144/https://www.c4isrnet.com/global/europe/2021/02/08/british-militarys-space-campaign-picks-up-steam-with-skynet-upgrade/|url-status=live}} The UK Pathfinder launch was scheduled to take place in late 2024.{{cite web | url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6974 | title=RS1 | UK Pathfinder }}
Launches
File:412TW RS1 exercise 220420-F-F3963-1003.jpg conducting launch demonstration with RS1 and GS0]]
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://ablspacesystems.com/rs1/ RS-1 rocket details]
- [https://ablspacesystems.com/launch launch system details] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118204024/https://ablspacesystems.com/launch/ |date=18 January 2021 }}
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