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(Norfolk, VA) The next launch scheduled in the Intrepid unmanned
spaceflight program, Intrepid-2, has been set to launch on Saturday
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:00 pm EST. Intrepid-2 will test the Titan-34D
core stages as well as the Centaur-D upper-stage that will be
utilized as the workhorse for all future unmanned missions to come in
the near and distant future.The Centaur-D rocket stage is a high-energy upper-stage that utilizes liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as its fuel. The Centaur-D is capable of placing payloads into earth orbit and sending them on interplanetary missions. The Centaur-D uses an ingenious common double-bulkhead to separate the LOX and LH2 tanks. The two stainless steel skins are separated by a 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) layer of fiberglass. The extreme cold of the LH2 on one side creates a vacuum within the fiberglass layer, giving the bulkhead a low thermal conductivity, and thus preventing heat transfer from the relatively warm LOX to the super cold LH2. It is powered by two RL-10 rocket engines (DEC variant).
Intrepid-2 will not carry a payload and will serve as the final testing flight of the Titan-34D stack if the mission is completed successfully. During the course of the mission, the Centaur-D stage will be placed into a circular 400 km x 400 km earth orbit to demonstrate its capabilities.
Hard work and unwavering dedication by the UASO team is being put towards ensuring this mission will succeed and the Intrepid program can roll on with no glitches. Stay turned for updates on this upcoming mission! More information can be obtained at the UASO web site at http://www.vuaso.org.
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