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TWO COMMERCIAL SPACE COMPANIES JOIN FORCES
The Rocketplane Kistler team will offer unique commercial space launch services, including a significant contribution to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration.
Oklahoma City, OK - March 7, 2006 - Rocketplane® Limited, Inc. and Kistler Aerospace Corporation announced today that they are joining forces as a new space transportation team, effective immediately. This team is made up of two of the most entrepreneurial and technically mature companies in the New Space business community, with histories dating back to the start of the entrepreneurial space movement in the early 1990s. The Rocketplane Kistler team will provide unique sub-orbital and orbital commercial space transportation services for passengers and cargo through its fleet of highly reliable, cost effective, and reusable aerospace vehicles.
“Dr. George Mueller and the Kistler team have developed a mature and technologically sound design capable of revolutionizing space transportation,” said George French, Jr., CEO and President, Rocketplane. “Rocketplane/Kistler has a unique chance of making commercial space viable by reducing the cost to orbit and by building a fleet of cargo-carrying vehicles for transport to LEO, Space Station and beyond. “
The Rocketplane/Kistler team combines the best in horizontal and vertical space launch with suborbital spaceplanes that are optimized for near-term space tourist and microgravity research applications, and two-stage fully reusable vertical launch vehicles that are optimized for International Space Station crew and cargo delivery and affordable, responsive commercial launch services.
The two companies, while utilizing different vehicle architectures, share many common core technologies including robust thermal protection systems; liquid oxygen / kerosene rocket propulsion, advanced integrated vehicle health management systems; and an overall high Technical Readiness Level. The new commercial organization joins two teams who have proven technical competencies, and a passionate vision for the commercialization and future development of the space transportation industry.
George French further comments, "When studying Kistler closer, I realized that Dr. Mueller and his team has over the last 12 years actually been pushing the envelope so that NASA can exit their Shuttle program by having the K-1 replace some of their key requirements. Also remember Kistler has employed substantial amounts of private risk capital that puts the K-1 $600M ahead of the next competitor for the ISS re-supply, and the result of those efforts position Rocketplane/Kistler for an ISS flight as early as 2008.”
Rocketplane/Kistler brings together two respected names in space vehicle development and their teams of talented engineers. Dave Urie and George Mueller are committed to see the fleet of Rocketplane/Kistler spacecraft launch and return safely again and again. Urie has 37 launch vehicles, high performance aircraft and other black programs under his belt, and was one of the main “secret ingredients” in the Skunks Works. Dr. Mueller put men on the moon and has a unique opportunity to create a spacecraft meeting today’s diverse commercial market demands. They have assembled an exceptionally talented team and are positioned to bring each Rocketplane/Kistler vehicle to market ahead of the competition.
Dave Urie adds "The combination of Rocketplane and Kistler is a true winning team with diversified revenue streams, a combined pool of engineering talent, and a fleet - providing options for different customer needs. Unlike our competitors, we benefit from our diverse fleet of vehicles, and our combined capabilities have a unique value proposition. Going back to my Space Race days, I’m experiencing the same atmosphere and attitude now as I did then. This is reflected in the enthusiasm and confidence that I observe in both the Rocketplane and Kistler teams. Rocketplane/Kistler is motivated to provide affordable products and services for our customers, and is aggressive on reaching our corporate objectives in time.”
This is a historic moment for all space enthusiasts, as well as the US taxpayers that have been disappointed by previous attempts to make routine space access available, affordable and safe.
For more information contact Bob Seto at (405) 488-1200 x109 or bseto@rocketplane.com or Will Trafton at (619) 519-2931 or wtrafton@kistleraero.com.
About Kistler (website)
Kistler Aerospace Corporation is the developer of the K-1 fully reusable aerospace vehicle, designed to deliver payloads to orbit and provide a low-cost alternative to single-use expendable launch vehicles. The company intends the K-1 to become the reliable, low-cost provider of launch services for commercial, civil, and military payloads destined for Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), as well as to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
The Kistler Aerospace Vehicle, the K-1, is a new class of vehicle. It is not an airplane, though it lands on land by means of parachutes and airbags. It is not an expendable rocket vehicle, since it returns to its launch site under its own power. Instead, the K-1 is a fully-reusable, two-stage aerospace vehicle based on highly reliable, fully characterized materials and technologies.
Kistler has adopted an innovative approach to design, build and operate the integrated K-1 system. Their fundamental design philosophy has been to choose the simplest and most reliable, available implementation of each function and component. They also utilize entirely commercial business practices that enable price and operations benefits to their customers.
In addition to cost reductions, the K-1 vehicle brings other benefits to customers. With its quick turnaround time, the K-1 introduces launch-on-demand service, eliminating schedule constraints that often affect time-sensitive businesses or missions. Existing space transportation customers will also enjoy significant reductions in insurance premiums resulting from the continual use of the same proven vehicle. Kistler expects to eventually approach the cost of aircraft insurance as experience accumulates. A commercially viable, fully reusable space transportation system is within two years of First Flight. With the K-1 vehicle, the Kistler Aerospace Corporation will lead the way into the new market frontier.
About Rocketplane Limited, Inc. (website)
Rocketplane Limited, Inc. (RLI) was founded in 2001 as an Oklahoma Corporation as the successor company to Pioneer Rocketplane - with a vision to be a driving force in the future of commercial space flight. Rocketplane opened its first office in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in May 2004. In less than two years, RLI has grown to over fifty highly-skilled employees, three facilities in operation or under development, and is well underway in developing their first vehicle, the XP suborbital spaceplane, which will begin test flights in early 2007.
Rocketplane’s strongest asset is a skilled team of engineers, executives, analysts, managers, and support staff. The combined vision is creating a series of space vehicles to serve the markets in the suborbital, point-to-point, orbital access and beyond. Their spaceplane designs push the boundaries of conventional aerospace thinking as they strive for high reusability, reliable aircraft-like operations, and flexibility to serve a variety of military and commercial applications.
Rocketplane’s philosophy is built on the vision to make space travel a reality in this decade. Via strategic partnerships, Rocketplane is well-positioned with government, academia, and public/private business both domestically and internationally.
Rocketplane works very closely with Space Explorers, Inc. (located in Green Bay, Wisconsin) to further educational opportunities toward the development of space flight. Space Explorers, Inc. is committed to bringing the excitement and challenges of space exploration into classrooms worldwide. Space Explorers promotes discovery, inquiry, and analysis by offering standards-based curricula, mission simulations, and experiments that incorporate actual NASA data. Through these Internet-based curriculum programs, the company strives to inspire a new generation of explorers to pursue careers in science, math and technology. If you would like more information please visit their website at: http://www.space-explorers.com.