There are two Air Force Research lab people at Kirtland AFB, N.M., whose task is to advance “multiple methods” to design, develop, and produce low-cost rockets. Officials say that the Launch Vehicle Technology program has “fueled” many efforts, some dating back more than 10 years, such as a Microcosm Inc. rocket called Scorpius. Some of these projects have led to cheaper and safer propellants and subsystems. The LTV crew currently is working new projects with Microscosm, Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion, and KT Engineering. (Read more here.)
Northrop Grumman test fired its newest solid rocket motor Dec. 4, part of an internally funded effort to rapidly design and build SRMs using advanced manufacturing techniques.
