Interorbital Systems (IOS) is an American company based in Mojave, California, that specializes in the manufacturing of rockets and satellites.[2] It was established in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron. As of October 2023, the company is in development stage for three orbital launch vehicles: NEPTUNE, TRITON, and TRITON HEAVY.[1]
Interorbital Systems has participated in the development of a launch vehicle for the Google Lunar X Prize Team Synergy Moon[3] and has provided suborbital commercial launch services. For Orbital launch they have used ISRO and Jaxa.[4] Additionally, the company participated as a competitor in the Ansari X Prize[5] and America's Space Prize competitions.[6]
NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: General
The NEPTUNE rocket, a two-stage vehicle developed by Interorbital Systems, uses high-performance liquid oxygen and densified propane propellants.[7][1] The first stage is equipped with four stationary throttleable ablativelycooled liquid rocket engines, each capable of generating 4,500 pounds of thrust.[8] Throttling of these engines allows for precise control of pitch, yaw, and roll during flight.
The second stage of the NEPTUNE rocket is powered by a single stationary ablativelycooled liquid rocket engine that generates 3,000 pounds of thrust. During the second stage engine burn and while in orbit, pitch, yaw, and roll control are provided by cold-gas thrusters.
NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: Pressure-fed Propulsion System
The NEPTUNE liquid rocket engines of Interorbital Systems are fed propellants through a proprietary pressurant system. As a result, the weight of the propellant tank/pressurant system is equivalent to a traditional propellant tank/pressurant system/pump-fed system.
By removing the propellant pump and the associated heavy electric or gas-generator pump-drive system, Interorbital Systems has significantly reduced both the overall rocket development cost and the manufacturing time. This streamlined approach to the propulsion system has led to cost savings and improved efficiency in the manufacturing process.[9]
All Interorbital Systems (IOS) rockets are launched from an ocean barge equipped with motion compensation technology. Initially, IOS plans to conduct orbital flights from the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles.[citation needed]
Solaris was a suborbital rocket design developed by IOS in the early 2000s. The intention behind the Solaris project was to compete for the Ansari X Prize. However, the rocket was not completed in time, and it was surpassed by Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne, which successfully claimed the prize.[6]
Milestones
Test flight of the single CPM on March 29th, 2014 with four payloads on board.
The main engine of the Common Propulsion Module (CPM) underwent its first successful static engine firing on October 28, 2012. This composite chambered engine generated 7,500 pounds of thrust and used nitric acid and turpentine propellants.[citation needed]
The Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) completed its inaugural test flight on March 29, 2014,[11] achieving a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. The payloads on board included two CubeSats, a payload from Synergy Moon, and a music CD titled "ENCLOSURE" by John Frusciante, former guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[12] The CPM TV will be reused for future test flights, and all payloads were successfully recovered without damage.[11]
Satellite kits
The CubeSat Personal Satellite Kit is available in two configurations: a standard 1 kg (2.2 lb) version and a non-standard 1.33 kg (2.93 lb) version. These kits are constructed using an aluminum frame and are designed for conducting simple experiments, as well as for receiving and transmitting radio signals. They may also be used for personal purposes.[citation needed]
The TubeSat Personal Satellite Kit offers an alternative to CubeSats. These kits are constructed entirely from printed circuit boards.[citation needed]
According to their claims, the kits will be launched into self-decaying orbits at an altitude of 310 km (192 mi), eventually burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.[citation needed] The company has a significant number of launches planned for both types of satellites.[13][non-primary source needed]
Google Lunar XPrize
Interorbital Systems became a member and launch provider for Team Synergy Moon in the Google Lunar X Prize competition in June 2016.[14][3] The team used a modified version of the NEPTUNE rocket consisting of 36 modules to transport their lunar rover to the surface of the Moon.[15]
