Exos Aerospace

EXOS Aerospace Systems & Technologies, Inc
Privately held
Industry Aerospace
Founded 2014
Headquarters Greenville, Texas
Key people
 David Mitchell - President
John Quinn - COO
Russell Blink - CTO
Products Rocket vehicles
Revenue Not disclosed
Number of employees
 12
Website www.exosaero.com

Exos Aerospace Systems & Technologies is a aerospace manufacturer and developer of reusable launch systems intended to support unmanned orbital spaceflight launches, and is based in Caddo Mills, Texas.

Foundation

Exos Aerospace is based on both technologies and people from Armadillo Aerospace, a company founded by video game developer John Carmack.[1] Armadillo had competed for the Ansari X Prize for commercial human suborbital spaceflight in the early 2000s and later developed a series of suborbital vehicles.[1] In August 2013, Carmack placed Armadillo in "hibernation" following the crash of their STIG-B rocket and began "actively looking for outside investors to restart work on the company’s rockets".[2]

Exos Aerospace was founded in May 2014; former employees of Armadillo Aerospace were a significant part of the founding team. Exos was created to carry on the reusable commercial space craft started by Armadillo Aerospace.[3] Exos even set up their operations in one of Armadillo's former facilities at the Caddo Mills Municipal Airport, in Texas.[3] In 2015, the assets of Armadillo Aerospace were formally sold to Exos Aerospace.

Overview

Exos Aerospace is focused on suborbital research rockets with an intent of initially launching micro satellites and eventually progressing to autonomous spaceflight. Exos Aerospace is developing the SARGE family for its suborbital vehicles. All research and development is based out of two hangars at Caddo Mills Municipal Airport. This is inclusive of rocket design, fabrication, assembly, storage and testing. Engines up to 5,000-lbf nominal thrust can be tested on a static test skid at the hangar complex. A stated goal of the firm is to qualify to be a part of NASA’s Flight Opportunities program.[1] Due to its re-usability, Exos intends to employ the SARGE rocket to develop its orbital technology program.

SARGE

The SARGE vehicle is based on the STIG B platform developed as part of Armadillo Aerospace's lunar lander program. The SARGE vehicle employs a LOX-ethanol propulsion module based on the LE23000FC series engines, producing approximately 5500 lbs of thrust.[4] The airframe is a reusable sounding rocket with a 20 inches (51 cm) diameter, and is 36 feet (11 m) tall. Helium pressurant cold gas thrusters provide attitude control for pitch-roll-yaw and pointing capability. Payload must fit inside a 9.625 inches (24.45 cm) diameter cylinder, be no more than 36 inches (91 cm) tall and weigh no more than 50 kilograms (110 lb). Exos plans to use this technology as the design basis for a reusable (first stage) launch vehicle capable of carrying 100kg to low Earth orbit.[5] On 14 February 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration issued Exos Aerospace a Reusable Vehicle Mission Launch License. On August 25th 2018 Exos flew a successful Pathfinder Mission proving SARGE as a Reusable Launch Vehicle.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Exos Aerospace prepares for first suborbital launch - SpaceNews.com". 23 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Foust, Jeff (August 1, 2013). "Carmack: Armadillo Aerospace in "hibernation mode"". NewSpace Journal. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Armadillo Aerospace Vets Start New Space Company - SpaceNews.com". 19 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "EXOS Aerospace Prepares for Launch from Spaceport America – Parabolic Arc". www.parabolicarc.com.
  5. ↑ "EXOS Aerospace Plans Launch From Spaceport America for May – Parabolic Arc". www.parabolicarc.com.
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