Interorbital Systems: Difference between revisions

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'''Interorbital Systems''' ('''IOS''') is an American space development company based in [[Mojave, California|Mojave]], [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pittman |first=Carrie |title=Interorbital Systems |url=https://www.cmtc.com/made-in-california-profile-archived/interorbital-systems |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=www.cmtc.com |language=en}}</ref> It was established in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron. As of October 2023, the company is in development stage for three [[Launch vehicle|orbital launch vehicles]]: NEPTUNE, TRITON, and TRITON HEAVY.<ref name='Trib 2017'/>
'''Interorbital Systems''' ('''IOS''') is an American space development company based in [[Mojave, California|Mojave]], [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pittman |first=Carrie |title=Interorbital Systems |url=https://www.cmtc.com/made-in-california-profile-archived/interorbital-systems |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=www.cmtc.com |language=en}}</ref> It was established in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron. As of October 2023, the company is in development stage for three [[Launch vehicle|orbital launch vehicles]]: NEPTUNE, TRITON, and TRITON HEAVY.{{Citation needed|reason=Unfortunately, Triton doesn't seem to be mentioned by any of this page's sources|date=June 2025}}


Interorbital Systems has participated in the development of a launch vehicle for the [[Google Lunar X Prize]] Team Synergy Moon<ref name="lunar xprize teams">{{cite web |url=https://lunar.xprize.org/teams |title=TEAMS Google Lunar XPRIZE |access-date=2018-01-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124055813/https://lunar.xprize.org/teams |archive-date=2018-01-24 }}</ref> and has provided suborbital commercial launch services. For Orbital launch they have used ISRO and Jaxa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Launch Manifest |url=https://www.interorbital.com/Launch%20Manifest.php}}</ref> Additionally, the company participated as a competitor in the [[Ansari X Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.xprize.org/files/downloads/ansari/interorbital.pdf |title=X PRIZE Team Summary Sheet: Interorbital Systems |publisher=X PRIZE Foundation }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[America's Space Prize]] competitions.<ref name="NBC News">{{cite news |title=Space racers set sights on orbital frontier: After X Prize, some rivals seek more lucrative payoff |first=Alan |last=Boyle |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=October 8, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112143/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=2013-08-11 }}</ref>
Interorbital Systems has participated in the development of a launch vehicle for the [[Google Lunar X Prize]] Team Synergy Moon<ref name="lunar xprize teams">{{cite web |url=https://lunar.xprize.org/teams |title=TEAMS Google Lunar XPRIZE |access-date=2018-01-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124055813/https://lunar.xprize.org/teams |archive-date=2018-01-24 }}</ref> and has provided suborbital commercial launch services. For Orbital launch they have used ISRO and Jaxa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Launch Manifest |url=https://www.interorbital.com/Launch%20Manifest.php}}</ref> Additionally, the company participated as a competitor in the [[Ansari X Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.xprize.org/files/downloads/ansari/interorbital.pdf |title=X PRIZE Team Summary Sheet: Interorbital Systems |publisher=X PRIZE Foundation }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[America's Space Prize]] competitions.<ref name="NBC News">{{cite news |title=Space racers set sights on orbital frontier: After X Prize, some rivals seek more lucrative payoff |first=Alan |last=Boyle |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=October 8, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112143/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=2013-08-11 }}</ref>


==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: General==
==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle==
The NEPTUNE rocket, a two-stage vehicle design from Interorbital Systems, would use high-performance liquid oxygen and densified propane propellants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interorbital Preps for NEPTUNE Test Launch—and eleven smallsats will go along for the ride |first=Randa |last= Milliron |url=http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1600200139 |publisher=SatMagazine |date=October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124070916/http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1600200139 |archive-date=2018-01-24 }}</ref><ref name='Trib 2017'/> The first stage would be equipped with four stationary throttleable ablatively cooled liquid rocket engines, each capable of generating 4,500 pounds of thrust.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neptune modular rockets for breakthrough low-cost space access |url=https://sbir.nasa.gov/SBIR/abstracts/11/sbir/phase1/SBIR-11-1-O2.01-9812.html |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=sbir.nasa.gov}}</ref> Throttling of these engines allows for precise control of pitch, yaw, and roll during flight.  
The NEPTUNE rocket, a two-stage vehicle design from Interorbital Systems, would use high-performance liquid oxygen and densified propane propellants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interorbital Preps for NEPTUNE Test Launch—and eleven smallsats will go along for the ride |first=Randa |last= Milliron |url=http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1600200139 |publisher=SatMagazine |date=October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124070916/http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1600200139 |archive-date=2018-01-24 }}</ref><ref name='Trib 2017'/> It primary element was the Common Propulsion Module, or CPM, equipped with four stationary throttleable ablatively cooled liquid rocket engines, each capable of generating 4,500 pounds of thrust.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neptune modular rockets for breakthrough low-cost space access |url=https://sbir.nasa.gov/SBIR/abstracts/11/sbir/phase1/SBIR-11-1-O2.01-9812.html |access-date=2023-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124180133/https://sbir.nasa.gov/SBIR/abstracts/11/sbir/phase1/SBIR-11-1-O2.01-9812.html |archive-date=2022-01-24|website=sbir.nasa.gov}}</ref> Throttling of these engines allows for precise control of pitch, yaw, and roll during flight. Later versions used a single, 7,500-lb thrust engine.  


The second stage of the NEPTUNE rocket is proposed to be powered by a single stationary ablatively cooled liquid rocket engine that generates 3,000 pounds of thrust. During the second stage engine burn and while in orbit, pitch, yaw, and roll control would be provided by cold-gas thrusters.
All versions would be fed propellants through a proprietary pressurant system, claimed to reduce the weight of the propellant tank/pressurant system to an equivalent of a traditional pump-fed system. By removing the propellant pump and the associated heavy electric or gas-generator pump-drive system, Interorbital Systems proposes to significantly reduce both the overall rocket development cost and the manufacturing time, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency in the manufacturing process.<ref name="SynergyMoon20110706">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIx-SzyS-k |title=Synergy Moon Presentation at 2011 GLXP Summit |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112144/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIx-SzyS-k |archive-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref>


==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: Pressure-fed Propulsion System==
The NEPTUNE N1 rocket is proposed to use a single CPM, combined with a liquid-fuel upper stage powered by a single stationary ablatively cooled liquid rocket engine that generates 3,000 pounds of thrust. During the second stage engine burn and while in orbit, pitch, yaw, and roll control would be provided by cold-gas thrusters. The N3, N5, and N7 were planned to be using 3, 5 and 7 CPMs respectively, while carrying 18, 30 and 75kg to 310km polar circular orbit. Another proposed version was the N36, using 36 CPMs for a payload of 1000kg to LEO, and also proposed to carry the [[Synergy Moon]] lander for the Google Lunar X Prize. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_012.htm |title=IOS NEPTUNE System Launch Vehicles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602130623/http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_012.htm |archive-date=2016-06-02 }}</ref>
The NEPTUNE liquid rocket engines of Interorbital Systems would be fed propellants through a proprietary pressurant system. As a result, the weight of the propellant tank/pressurant system would be equivalent to a traditional propellant tank/pressurant system/pump-fed system.


By removing the propellant pump and the associated heavy electric or gas-generator pump-drive system, Interorbital Systems proposes to significantly reduce both the overall rocket development cost and the manufacturing time. This streamlined approach to the propulsion system is touted as leading to cost savings and improved efficiency in the manufacturing process.<ref name="SynergyMoon20110706">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIx-SzyS-k |title=Synergy Moon Presentation at 2011 GLXP Summit |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112144/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIx-SzyS-k |archive-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref>
==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: Exclusive Ocean-based Launch==
All Interorbital Systems (IOS) rockets are described as being launchable  from an ocean barge equipped with motion compensation technology. Initially, IOS plans to conduct orbital flights from the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
All Interorbital Systems (IOS) rockets are described as being launchable  from an ocean barge equipped with motion compensation technology. Initially, IOS plans to conduct orbital flights from the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
In 2006, IOS held an active [[launch license]] from the [[Office of Commercial Space Transportation]] for [[Tachyon (Spacecraft)|Tachyon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lunarlander.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/advantages-of-using-white-fuming-nitric-acid-wfna-as-an-oxidizer-in-rockets/#more-19 |title=Advantages of Using White Fuming Nitric Acid (WFNA) as an oXidizer in Rockets |first=Randa |last=Milliron |work=Lunar Lander Challenged |date=2006-05-28 |access-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112145/https://lunarlander.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/advantages-of-using-white-fuming-nitric-acid-wfna-as-an-oxidizer-in-rockets/#more-19 |archive-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref> a sounding rocket designed for suborbital flights reaching an apogee of 120 miles.


===Preliminary design concepts===
===Preliminary design concepts===
Solaris was a suborbital rocket design developed by IOS in the early 2000s. The intention behind the Solaris project was to compete for the [[Ansari X Prize]]. However, the rocket was not completed in time, and it was surpassed by [[Scaled Composites]]' [[SpaceShipOne]], which successfully claimed the prize.<ref name="NBC News" />
Solaris was a suborbital rocket design developed by IOS in the early 2000s. The intention behind the Solaris project was to compete for the [[Ansari X Prize]]. However, the rocket was not completed in time, and it was surpassed by [[Scaled Composites]]' [[SpaceShipOne]], which successfully claimed the prize.<ref name="NBC News" />
In 2006, IOS held an active [[launch license]] from the [[Office of Commercial Space Transportation]] for [[Tachyon (Spacecraft)|Tachyon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lunarlander.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/advantages-of-using-white-fuming-nitric-acid-wfna-as-an-oxidizer-in-rockets/#more-19 |title=Advantages of Using White Fuming Nitric Acid (WFNA) as an oXidizer in Rockets |first=Randa |last=Milliron |work=Lunar Lander Challenged |date=2006-05-28 |access-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112145/https://lunarlander.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/advantages-of-using-white-fuming-nitric-acid-wfna-as-an-oxidizer-in-rockets/#more-19 |archive-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref> a sounding rocket designed for suborbital flights reaching an apogee of 120 miles.


=== Milestones ===
=== Milestones ===
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The Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) completed its inaugural test flight on March 29, 2014,<ref name="cpmtest">{{cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm|access-date=May 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090735/http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm|archive-date=April 7, 2014|title=CPM TV Rocket Launch 03.29.14}}</ref> achieving a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. The payloads on board included two [[CubeSat|CubeSats]], a payload from [[Synergy Moon]], and a music CD titled "[[Enclosure (John Frusciante album)|ENCLOSURE]]" by [[John Frusciante]], former guitarist of the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-launch-john-frusciante-sends-new-lp-into-space-on-rocket-20140331|title=Album Launch: John Frusciante Sends New LP Into Space on Rocket|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=2014-03-31|access-date=2016-06-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730034254/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-launch-john-frusciante-sends-new-lp-into-space-on-rocket-20140331|archive-date=2016-07-30}}</ref> The CPM TV will be reused for future test flights, and all payloads were successfully recovered without damage.<ref name="cpmtest" />
The Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) completed its inaugural test flight on March 29, 2014,<ref name="cpmtest">{{cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm|access-date=May 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090735/http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm|archive-date=April 7, 2014|title=CPM TV Rocket Launch 03.29.14}}</ref> achieving a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. The payloads on board included two [[CubeSat|CubeSats]], a payload from [[Synergy Moon]], and a music CD titled "[[Enclosure (John Frusciante album)|ENCLOSURE]]" by [[John Frusciante]], former guitarist of the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-launch-john-frusciante-sends-new-lp-into-space-on-rocket-20140331|title=Album Launch: John Frusciante Sends New LP Into Space on Rocket|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=2014-03-31|access-date=2016-06-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730034254/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-launch-john-frusciante-sends-new-lp-into-space-on-rocket-20140331|archive-date=2016-07-30}}</ref> The CPM TV will be reused for future test flights, and all payloads were successfully recovered without damage.<ref name="cpmtest" />


=== Satellite kits ===
== Satellite kits ==
The '''CubeSat Personal Satellite Kit''' is available in two configurations: a standard 1 kg (2.2 lb) version and a non-standard 1.33 kg (2.93 lb) version. These kits are constructed using an aluminum frame and are designed for conducting simple experiments, as well as for receiving and transmitting radio signals. They may also be used for personal purposes.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
The '''CubeSat Personal Satellite Kit''' is available in two configurations: a standard 1 kg (2.2 lb) version and a non-standard 1.33 kg (2.93 lb) version. These kits are constructed using an aluminum frame and are designed for conducting simple experiments, as well as for receiving and transmitting radio signals. They may also be used for personal purposes.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}


Latest revision as of 20:52, 27 June 2025

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Interorbital Systems (IOS) is an American space development company based in Mojave, California.[1] It was established in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron. As of October 2023, the company is in development stage for three orbital launch vehicles: NEPTUNE, TRITON, and TRITON HEAVY.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Interorbital Systems has participated in the development of a launch vehicle for the Google Lunar X Prize Team Synergy Moon[2] and has provided suborbital commercial launch services. For Orbital launch they have used ISRO and Jaxa.[3] Additionally, the company participated as a competitor in the Ansari X Prize[4] and America's Space Prize competitions.[5]

NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle

The NEPTUNE rocket, a two-stage vehicle design from Interorbital Systems, would use high-performance liquid oxygen and densified propane propellants.[6][7] It primary element was the Common Propulsion Module, or CPM, equipped with four stationary throttleable ablatively cooled liquid rocket engines, each capable of generating 4,500 pounds of thrust.[8] Throttling of these engines allows for precise control of pitch, yaw, and roll during flight. Later versions used a single, 7,500-lb thrust engine.

All versions would be fed propellants through a proprietary pressurant system, claimed to reduce the weight of the propellant tank/pressurant system to an equivalent of a traditional pump-fed system. By removing the propellant pump and the associated heavy electric or gas-generator pump-drive system, Interorbital Systems proposes to significantly reduce both the overall rocket development cost and the manufacturing time, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency in the manufacturing process.[9]

The NEPTUNE N1 rocket is proposed to use a single CPM, combined with a liquid-fuel upper stage powered by a single stationary ablatively cooled liquid rocket engine that generates 3,000 pounds of thrust. During the second stage engine burn and while in orbit, pitch, yaw, and roll control would be provided by cold-gas thrusters. The N3, N5, and N7 were planned to be using 3, 5 and 7 CPMs respectively, while carrying 18, 30 and 75kg to 310km polar circular orbit. Another proposed version was the N36, using 36 CPMs for a payload of 1000kg to LEO, and also proposed to carry the Synergy Moon lander for the Google Lunar X Prize. [10]

All Interorbital Systems (IOS) rockets are described as being launchable from an ocean barge equipped with motion compensation technology. Initially, IOS plans to conduct orbital flights from the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Preliminary design concepts

Solaris was a suborbital rocket design developed by IOS in the early 2000s. The intention behind the Solaris project was to compete for the Ansari X Prize. However, the rocket was not completed in time, and it was surpassed by Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne, which successfully claimed the prize.[5]

In 2006, IOS held an active launch license from the Office of Commercial Space Transportation for Tachyon,[11] a sounding rocket designed for suborbital flights reaching an apogee of 120 miles.

Milestones

The single CPM completed its first test flight on March 29th, 2014
Test flight of the single CPM on March 29th, 2014 with four payloads on board.

The main engine of the Common Propulsion Module (CPM) underwent its first successful static engine firing on October 28, 2012. This composite chambered engine generated 7,500 pounds of thrust and used nitric acid and turpentine propellants.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) completed its inaugural test flight on March 29, 2014,[12] achieving a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. The payloads on board included two CubeSats, a payload from Synergy Moon, and a music CD titled "ENCLOSURE" by John Frusciante, former guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[13] The CPM TV will be reused for future test flights, and all payloads were successfully recovered without damage.[12]

Satellite kits

The CubeSat Personal Satellite Kit is available in two configurations: a standard 1 kg (2.2 lb) version and a non-standard 1.33 kg (2.93 lb) version. These kits are constructed using an aluminum frame and are designed for conducting simple experiments, as well as for receiving and transmitting radio signals. They may also be used for personal purposes.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The TubeSat Personal Satellite Kit offers an alternative to CubeSats. These kits are constructed entirely from printed circuit boards.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

According to their claims, the kits will be launched into self-decaying orbits at an altitude of 310 km (192 mi), eventually burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The company has a significant number of launches planned for both types of satellites.[14]Template:Primary source inline

Google Lunar XPrize

Interorbital Systems became a member and launch provider for Team Synergy Moon in the Google Lunar X Prize competition in June 2016.[15][2] The team proposed using a modified version of the NEPTUNE rocket consisting of 36 modules to transport their lunar rover to the surface of the Moon.[16]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Space tourism Template:Ansari X-Prize

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Trib 2017
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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