Dynetics to Provide Technical Integration and Mating System for New Commercial Space Launch System

December 14, 2011:

Program Will Establish Huntsville as Commercial Space Leader


Stratolaunch Systems has selected Dynetics to provide overall technical integration and the mating and integration system hardware for a revolutionary air launch system.  The system is being designed as a responsive, affordable system to deliver cargo and humans to space. This program will establish Huntsville as a leader in the commercial space launch business, according to Dynetics officials.


“This air launch system will be a game changer in the space launch industry,” said David King, executive vice president of Dynetics. “We will play a vital role in the development of this system, which will have a major strategic impact on the future of spaceflight in Huntsville and the United States.”


Dynetics’ responsibilities include leading the technical integration of the air launch enterprise – including program management support, systems engineering, flight dynamics and integration, test and operations; as well as developing, manufacturing, testing and integrating the hardware that will attach the booster to the carrier aircraft.


Dynetics has unique experience that qualifies the company to perform the overall technical integration and development of the mating and integration hardware, according to Steve Cook, director of space technologies. “Dynetics has extensive past performance that has prepared us to successfully implement the air launch system program,” he said. “Our experience in very large air-dropped payloads includes leading the development, integration and flight of the world's largest precision-guided air dropped system, the MOAB, and providing hardware to the follow-on program.  Dynetics also has a long history in supporting U.S. missile defense.”


“Our broad aerospace systems integration and analysis experience comes from programs such as FASTSAT, our commercial satellite; the MultiPurpose NanoMissile System (MNMS), a small launch system for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; and numerous complex missile and aviation defense integration projects,” he added.


Dr. Marc Bendickson, Dynetics CEO, said: “Dynetics has a world class team of launch, propulsion and aircraft experts leading this program, including David King, a former Shuttle launch director and Marshall Space Flight Center director; Steve Cook, former Ares Launch Vehicle projects manager; Mark Fisher, former Marshall Space Flight Center liquid engines program manager and the technical director for this project, Jim Halsell, former U.S. Air Force test pilot, SR-71 pilot and Shuttle pilot and commander.”


Work on the air launch system will be accomplished in Dynetics’ new state-of-the-art, 226,500-square-foot prototyping center in Huntsville.
Dynamic Concepts, Inc. and Tri Vector Services Inc. are currently working with Dynetics on this project.  “We are proud to have two local small businesses supporting our efforts,” said Bendickson.


Dynetics President Tom Baumbach said, “We will leverage significant corporate investments we have made over the past several years. We are honored to have been selected to play a leading role in this ground-breaking activity.  This is about the power of the ‘and’ – combining Huntsville’s rich aerospace systems experience and talented workforce and unique facilities and new commercial endeavors.”

Return to Space News

 

Return from Space News to Home