New Nano Sat Centennial Challenge

[ZiraldoAerospace]

Have any of you seen the new NASA Centennial Challenges? There is one, the Nano Satellite Challenge Launch Challenge, which is where you have to launch a nano satellite (1-10 kg or 2.2-22 lbs for those of you that don't want to bother looking it up) into orbit twice in one week. The purse is $2 million, which is a quite a bit in my book. Any chance that someone on here could scale up their efforts and put a 1 kg sat in orbit? Just thought that it might be a possibility since you all are already working on an orbital launch and most of you seem to be small/low budget, it seems to me that the allure of the 2 million could attract enough additional talent and money to make a good run at it.

[rick m]

Here is the website:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/ju ... enges.html

I would say this will get people moving.

Rick

[Monroe]

Woo whoo! here comes Prometheus!

Monroe

They better hurry up with them rules! lol

[cpooley]

This new development looks especially interesting to me, as one of the specifications for the
"ML-1" is to place a Cubesat to LEO. This was researched, designed in the year before the
entry for N Prize.

N Prize is to be attempted with a "de-tuned", smaller version to be capable of one Pocket Cube
weighing 125 grams to LEO. This slightly smaller launcher is to use the same fabrication means,
similar parts to make use of design work done previously and to facilitate upgrade to the escape
capable ML-1.

The plans are to seek partners for both, and have the larger launcher follow the N Prize
development without a break.

The ML-1 is to have a liftoff mass of about 100-200 kg, and the "ML-N" about 1/2 to 2/3 that.
The masses will be pinned down more closely after test of the third stage engine, the
performance of which has a strong effect on the size requirement of the two lower stages.

For the MN-N, at least, beverage cans will be used for the third and maybe also the second stage.
The third stage may be 5 24 ounce cans--3 for LOX, 2 for propane or butane.

The second stage may use 5 welded pairs of 24 ounce cans, or short segments of the tubing to be
used for the first stage.

Presently planning the largest, most expensive component of the launcher design--the shop to
build/test them in: "Location One" as described in the April 2009 Space Access Society presentation
http://www.microlaunchers.com/7816/L3/sa09/sa09.html .

Preparations to locate in Henderson NV now under way. Conditions there will allow the first 3 of 4
Locations for the development.

I know it's silly to ask here, but if you know of any who might want to join the Microlauncher entry,
do contact.

Charles Pooley

[Monroe]

Charles
I'll make any parts you want just pay for the materials. No strings. Go for it! I'll be back in Mojave soon. Your welcome to use the Matagorda site for testing. If something develops all the better. If not you have your parts. I've got my own plans but I would surely help you. We have a more solid method and plan with a launch every other week now we just did the first one Sat. NSE4 for a launch to space in Sept-October. Our attempt at the N-Prize should be 6 months after a successful space shot. So we are bringing it down to the wire. Takes atleast 6-9 months to get a experimental launch permit from FAA ect... our plan includes filing that just prior to the space shot with a lot riding on how well we do that. There may be some mutual benefit going for the NASA prize if we can work together. That's my view. Otherwise good luck Microlaunchers and godspeed.

Monroe
Team Prometheus

NSE5 is scheduled for Aug. 14th

512-944-5440 is my phone also anyone with drive to complete this mission is welcome to join Team Prometheus but be prepared to work your tail off no more bystanders wanted.