After experiencing troubles during its first launch campaign, ABL’s RS1 rocket is on track for a new attempt on Wednesday, December 7th, 2022. Flight 1, meant to build flight heritage for the launcher, will carry into orbit two CubeSats for communications applications. The Californian-Based company, already funded by the Space Force, has secured 26 launches through 2025, with an additional 32 optioned until 2029, thanks to an agreement with Lockheed Martin.
The events so far
Launching a rocket into space it’s not an easy task, especially when you’re trying to develop a new concept of portable Ground Support Equipment (GS0) capable of being carried to various launch sites via container.
The first step was to test the engines in their launch configuration; thus, the company carried out a static fire on July 9th, 2022, in its facility at Kodiac Island, Alaska. The next item on the agenda was to perform a Wet Dress Rehearsal to test GS0; WRD was completed on September 13th, 2022, clearing the vehicle and support equipment for launch.
At this point, the first problems struck. ABL recently published a press release informing the causes for the scrub of RS1 first three launch attempts.
L1A1 (Launch 1 Attempt 1): a vendor valve in the First Stage Fuel Pressurization System failed, leading to a rapid decrease of pressure while the tanks were loaded at 75% of their capacity.
L1A2: once substituted the leaking valve, the team proceeded with a second attempt three days later. On this occasion, the clock arrived at T-1.8s and stopped due to insufficient Gass Generator Pressure in half of the units. The team routed the problem to LOx; specifically, the company decided to reduce chill volume during the static fire campaign to save Oxidizer for launch operations.
L1A3: this failure was a software issue instead. The onboard computer decided to halt the countdown at T-1.75s due to insufficient pressure in TEA-TEB lines; further analysis revealed that the value was just 1psi out of nominal, which wouldn’t have resulted in failure on the system. This issue led to a redefinition of safety margins for the onboard computer.
RS1 Flight 1 Update pic.twitter.com/WOlmJjYhCc
— ABL (@ablspacesystems) December 2, 2022
With all these issues covered, the company aims to launch the RS1 on December 7th, 2022!
Advertisement
RS1 Rocket
RS1 fully embarks on the company philosophy of being as simple, reliable, and affordable as possible. It is a two-stage launch vehicle powered by a combination of E2 sea level and vacuum engines capable of carrying 970 Kg to a 500km SSO (Sun Synchronous Orbit) or 700 kg to an elliptical 8000 km MEO transfer orbit and 320 kg to GTO.
The structure is 1.8 m in diameter and 26.8 m in height; the first stage host 9 E2 sea-level engines running on an Rp-1 / LOx combination, while a single E2 vacuum-optimized engine with the same fuel combination propels the second one.
All the rocket’s elements – first stage, second stage, and payload fairings – are designed to be placed inside a single container each for fast shipment and integration at the launch facility.
GS0 – Ground Support
Aiming to deliver the launcher and the needed Ground Support Equipment, ABL designed a highly flexible system capable of being packed inside various containers to be quickly delivered to any US launch complex; a UK option is also available.
Advertisement
