First Attempt To Launch The Scorpius SR-S Torrance, CA, Sept. 22, 1998

Microcosm has announced that the first attempt to launch the Scorpius SR-S suborbital vehicle was unsuccessful due to an anomaly in the LOX system which prevented LOX from flowing to the engine. The launch attempt took place on Sept. 16, 1998, at the White Sands Missile Test Range, New Mexico.

During the test, kerosene did flow for a brief period and was ignited, causing damage to the lower portion of the vehicle. The vehicle has been returned to the Microcosm facility in Torrance, CA, for refurbishment and further ground testing. A detailed examination of the vehicle and telemetry is ongoing. No date has been set for the next launch attempt; however, this is expected to occur before the end of the year.

The purpose of the Scorpius test program is to validate elements of the Scorpius low-cost launch technology intended to reduce the near-term cost of launch-to-orbit by a factor of 5 to 10. For further information contact Dr. Robert Conger, Microcosm Vice President and Scorpius Program Manager, at 310-320-0555. Bob Conger *Please note: The information above has been left intact for posterity; Microcosm's current phone number is (310) 726-4100.

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