SR-S FLIES Torrance, CA, January 27, 1999 Microcosm has successfully completed the first test flight of the Scorpius SR-S single engine suborbital rocket. The flight was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The purpose of the test was 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. The program is funded by multiple contracts from the US Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA, and Microcosm internal R&D. Government funding was initiated under a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract. The SR-S flight used the ultra-low-cost Scorpius 5,000 lb. thrust engine and also provided data on the performance of the avionics and tanks. According to Microcosm President, Dr. James Wertz, "The successful first flight of the SR-S establishes the feasibility of the Scorpius technology and the Scorpius approach to dramatically driving down launch costs. Of course much additional testing and development of larger orbital vehicles remains to be done. Nonetheless, the success of this first flight along with successful first firing of a 40,000 lb. thrust engine demonstrates the viability of the flight system and its scalability to larger vehicles. We are very appreciative of the support we have received from the Air Force, BMDO, and from NASA as well as their technical assistance to help make the program a success. We are also appreciative of the SBIR program, which made possible the initial development work."

The next steps in the Scorpius program will be the continued government and company funded development and testing of low-cost Scorpius components and the launch of the substantially larger SR-1, single-stage, 3-engine suborbital rocket in fall, 1999. Development of the SR-1 is already underway at Microcosm facilities in Torrance, CA. In addition, engine testing will continue at the Energetic Materials Research Test Center (EMRTC) Rocket Test Site in Socorro, NM. Over 25 of the 5,000 lb. thrust engines have been built and test fired. The engine has passed all criteria for successful launch to orbit. A new 100,000 lb. thrust test stand has been completed and will be used to test a 20,000 lb. thrust engine, which has been completed, and an 80,000 thrust engine currently under development. The Scorpius program manager is Dr. Robert Conger. The AF program manager is Ken Hampsten. The NASA MSFC technical project manager is Gary Johnson. The Scorpius Chief Engineer is Jim Berry. The Suborbital Lead Engineer, responsible for the integration, test, and launch of the SR-S, is Dave Crisalli. The lead facility Engine Test Director is Ken Mason. The program is managed and technically supported by the Air Force Research Lab, Space Vehicles Directorate. Scorpius vehicles are intended to change the face of domestic launch services in the United States. They will provide dramatically lower cost-cost launch capacity for commercial, military, and science payloads. More information on the Scorpius program is available on the Microcosm web site at www.smad.com. For further information contact Dr. Robert Conger, Microcosm Vice President and Scorpius Program Manager, at 310-320-0555, or email rconger@smad.com. For more launch photos, click here *Please note: The information above has been left intact for posterity; Microcosm's current phone number is (310) 726-4100.

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