see also: Boeing X-51 hypersonic test flight
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The '''Boeing Small Launch Vehicle''', or '''SLV''', is an [[air launch to orbit|air-launched]] three-stage-to-orbit [[launch vehicle]] concept aimed to launch small [[Payload (air and space craft)|payloads]] of {{convert|100|lb|kg}} into [[low |
The '''Boeing Small Launch Vehicle''', or '''SLV''', is an [[air launch to orbit|air-launched]] three-stage-to-orbit [[launch vehicle]] concept aimed to launch small [[Payload (air and space craft)|payloads]] of {{convert|100|lb|kg}} into [[low Earth orbit]]. The program is proposed to drive down launch costs for [[smallsat|small satellite]]s as low as {{currency|300000|USD}} per launch ($7,000/kg) and could be fielded by 2020.<ref name=aw20120521>{{cite news |last=Norris |first=Guy |title=Boeing Unveils Air-Launched Space-Access Concept |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_05_21_2012_p25-458597.xml&p=1 |accessdate=2012-05-23 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=2012-05-21 |archive-date=2013-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326232014/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2FAW_05_21_2012_p25-458597.xml&p=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{Update inline|date=December 2021}} |
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{{cite news |last=Norris|first=Guy |title=Boeing Unveils Air-Launched Space-Access Concept |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_05_21_2012_p25-458597.xml&p=1 |accessdate=2012-05-23 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=2012-05-21 }}</ref> |
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==History== |
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In July 2012, [[DARPA]] awarded Boeing a US$4.5 million contract to further refine the system concept as a part of the [[DARPA ALASA]] program.<ref name=pa20120702> |
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{{cite news |last=Messier|first=Doug |title=DARPA Awards 6 Small Airborne Launch Vehicle Contracts |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/07/02/darpa-awards-6-small-airborne-launch-vehicle-contracts/ |accessdate=2012-11-29 |newspaper=Parabolic Arc |date=2012-07-02 }}</ref> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The first stage of the three-stage launcher would be an air-launched [[supersonic |
The first stage of the three-stage launcher would be an air-launched [[supersonic aircraft]] accelerating to a speed of {{convert|4.5|Mach}} at {{convert|61000|ft}}, while the second stage would be a [[Hypersonic flight|hypersonic]] [[waverider]] aircraft which would accelerate the vehicle to {{convert|10|Mach}} at an altitude of {{convert|95000|ft}}. Both of the first two stages would be [[reusable launch vehicle|reusable]] to reduce launch cost, and both stages would carry only fuel, and obtain their oxygen for combustion from the [[Atmosphere of Earth|Earth's atmosphere]].<ref name=aw20120521/> |
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The third stage would be powered by a [[rocket]], roughly {{convert|16|ft}} long, to complete the acceleration of the {{convert|21|x|38|in|cm}} payload to [[Orbital speed|orbital velocity]]. |
The third stage would be powered by a [[rocket]], roughly {{convert|16|ft}} long, to complete the acceleration of the {{convert|21|x|38|in|cm}} payload to [[Orbital speed|orbital velocity]]. |
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The carrier aircraft is projected to be a [[Scaled Composites |
The carrier aircraft is projected to be a [[Scaled Composites White Knight Two]].<ref name=aw20120521/> |
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===Specifications=== |
===Specifications=== |
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*First-stage: {{convert|38|ft}} length, {{convert|19|ft}} [[wingspan]], [[supersonic aircraft]]<ref name=aw20120512> |
*First-stage: {{convert|38|ft}} length, {{convert|19|ft}} [[wingspan]], [[supersonic aircraft]]<ref name=aw20120512>{{cite news |title=More on Boeing's small launcher concept |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckPostId=Blog:a68cb417-3364-4fbf-a9dd-4feda680ec9cPost:f6f267a4-b412-44cc-a2a0-5258308c847e |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118044523/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckPostId=Blog:a68cb417-3364-4fbf-a9dd-4feda680ec9cPost:f6f267a4-b412-44cc-a2a0-5258308c847e |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 January 2013 |accessdate=4 Aug 2012 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=22 May 2012 }}</ref> |
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*Second-stage: {{convert|37|ft}} in length, {{convert|15.3|ft}} wingspan, [[Hypersonic flight|hypersonic aircraft]]; "Overall airframe construction would be of [[Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer|graphite-epoxy]], with an integral conformal [[Methane# |
*Second-stage: {{convert|37|ft}} in length, {{convert|15.3|ft}} wingspan, [[Hypersonic flight|hypersonic aircraft]]; "Overall airframe construction would be of [[Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer|graphite-epoxy]], with an integral conformal [[Methane#Developing technologies|liquid methane]] tank to supply the vehicle’s circular combustion [[scramjet]]. [[Thermal protection system|Thermal protection]] would be a [[Ceramic matrix composite|ceramic matrix]] [[composite material]]."<ref name=aw20120512/> |
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*Third-stage: {{convert|2|ft}} diameter, {{convert|16.4|ft}} long, [[solid propellant]] rocket.<ref name=aw20120512/> |
*Third-stage: {{convert|2|ft}} diameter, {{convert|16.4|ft}} long, [[solid propellant]] rocket.<ref name=aw20120512/> |
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*Payload: {{convert|21|in|m}} diameter, {{convert|38|in|m}} long payload bay, carrying up to {{convert|100|lb}} to [[low |
*Payload: {{convert|21|in|m}} diameter, {{convert|38|in|m}} long payload bay, carrying up to {{convert|100|lb}} to [[low Earth orbit]].<ref name=aw20120512/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Proposed space launch vehicles]] |
[[Category:Proposed space launch vehicles]] |
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[[Category:Aircraft]] |
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{{Spacecraft-stub}} |
The Boeing Small Launch Vehicle, or SLV, is an air-launched three-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle concept aimed to launch small payloads of 100 pounds (45 kg) into low Earth orbit. The program is proposed to drive down launch costs for small satellites as low as US$300,000 per launch ($7,000/kg) and could be fielded by 2020.[1] [needs update]
In July 2012, DARPA awarded Boeing a US$4.5 million contract to further refine the system concept as a part of the DARPA ALASA program.[2]
The first stage of the three-stage launcher would be an air-launched supersonic aircraft accelerating to a speed of Mach 4.5 (5,510 km/h; 3,430 mph) at 61,000 feet (19,000 m), while the second stage would be a hypersonic waverider aircraft which would accelerate the vehicle to Mach 10 (12,300 km/h; 7,610 mph) at an altitude of 95,000 feet (29,000 m). Both of the first two stages would be reusable to reduce launch cost, and both stages would carry only fuel, and obtain their oxygen for combustion from the Earth's atmosphere.[1] The third stage would be powered by a rocket, roughly 16 feet (4.9 m) long, to complete the acceleration of the 21 by 38 inches (53 cm × 97 cm) payload to orbital velocity. The carrier aircraft is projected to be a Scaled Composites White Knight Two.[1]