Hybrid technology option project: a cooperative effort for tomorrow's space transportation

摘要

A joint industry/government team has been formed to develop, build and fly the HyFlyer suborbital launch vehicle powered by a 250,00 pound thrust hybrid rocket motor. The project called the Hybrid Technology Option Project (HyTOP) is cofunded by government and industry and will result in the first flight demonstration of a large-scale hybrid rocket motor. The team of the American Rocket Company, Martin Marietta Manned Space Systems, and United Technologies/Chemical Systems Division have formed an industrial partnership to conduct the HyTOP effort with ARPA, NASA and the USAF. This paper describes the HyFlyer vehicle and the team members and their roles in developing and flying the HyFlyer from Vandensbeg Air Force Base in 1996.