Status of the K-1 Fully Reusable Aerospace Vehicle
- Paper number
IAC-05-D2.4.05
- Author
Mrs. Debra Facktor Lepore, AirLaunch LLC, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Kistler Aerospace Corporation is a privately-funded, U.S. small business, headquartered in Washington State, with leading hardware companies around the U.S. manufacturing its K-1 fully reusable aerospace vehicle. The Kistler K-1 is the only fully reusable, two-stage, unmanned space transportation system with launch on demand, on-orbit maneuvering and docking, and recoverable downmass. Each K-1 vehicle uses proven technology and is safe, reliable, and designed for 100 flights. The K-1 meets the current needs of multiple customers, providing multiple solutions using the same K-1 vehicle. The K-1 provides NASA, DOD and the commercial sector with affordable, reliable, responsive access to and from space. The inherent reusability of the K-1 enables it to bring payloads back from space and to provide launch on demand. Kistler is in the final stages of successfully emerging from the Chapter 11 restructuring process. The final documents have been approved by the court and await the confirmation hearing. The confirmation hearing is the last step in the legal process for the company to exit Chapter 11. This paper provides an overview and status of the K-1 fully reusable aerospace vehicle and its plans to prepare for the first flight.
- Abstract document