Firefly Space revealed the low-cost satellite launch system Alpha

The space transport market is becoming more and more active with the participation of private companies in addition to government agencies and organizations. In addition to service quality, cost factor is one of the competitive advantages in this market. Thus, Firefly Space Systems recently revealed a plan for the Alpha launch system - a system designed to serve the need to bring small-sized satellites to Earth's low orbit at a very low cost. .

To reduce service costs, the Alpha system used an aerospike engine - a classic propulsion engine, less common but capable of maintaining aerodynamic efficiency in many high altitudes, consuming less fuel. more at low altitudes and for great thrust. At the same time, this is also the first launch system to use methane fuel .

Alpha is specifically designed to launch low-cost, low-cost satellites into the low orbit of the Earth and Sun-synchronous orbits for Earth observation and communications missions. With a maximum load of 400kg, Alpha is made of synthetic carbon and uses the same basic design for two missile phases to minimize manufacturing costs and simplify assembly.

The rocket uses methane and liquid oxygen as a propellant and according to Firefly, this is the first satellite launch system to use this fuel even though methane has been proposed for long use for amphibious ships. Methane is chosen by cheap, abundant supply, clean burning and unlike conventional fuels, methane self-regulating so there is no need for a second pressurized system.

When looking at the graphic above, you will realize a very interesting point about Alpha rocket design. Inside the spray throat of the rocket engine is usually a protruding mass. This is the first aerospike engine of the missile for thrust of over 40.8 tons (400.3 kN), the ring-shaped bellows of phase 2 engines.

The aerospike engine has been developed since the 1960s, although until now, their design has not changed much. Basically, the aerospike engine has a bell-shaped throat design but only half, then the spray throat is extended and bunched into a knot shape. When the combustion engine, the air pressure outside limits the spray range of the hot air stream, similar to the function of a conventional bell-shaped throat. When rising, the change in air pressure changes the shape of the air flow, ensuring the efficiency of the engine. This is a drawback of traditional rocket engines because the bell-shaped throat design is only effective at a certain height.

The result of this installation is a lighter rocket engine, which works well at many altitudes. Because the second phase of the missile operates in a vacuum environment, it uses traditional spray throat.

Firefly CEO Thomas Markusic said: "What often costs you hundreds of millions of dollars is now quickly reduced to just a few million dollars. We are providing customers with the need to protect. small planet orbit a cheap launch system costing only 8 to 9 million USD - lowest in the world ".