Meet OmegA: A New Heavy-lift Rocket for National Security and Commercial Missions
Eric Olson | April 18, 2018OmegA is named after the Omega Centauri star cluster, a naked-eye-visible grouping of around 10 million stars with an approximate total mass equivalent to 4 million Suns. Source: Orbital ATK
American aerospace and defense firm Orbital ATK has revealed new details about its upcoming heavy-lift rocket. Previously called the Next Generation Launch System, the rocket has a new name: OmegA.
Three-Stage Flexibility
The three-stage launch vehicle can be adapted to handle a range of payloads for military, government and commercial customers. Its first and second stages use Orbital ATK’s solid propellant motors with carbon fiber composite cases. These first two stages can be arranged in various configurations to size its thrust capability appropriately for the mission. In addition, up to six GEM63XL/T solid rocket boosters can be strapped on to OmegA’s first stage to provide additional thrust for heavy payload missions.
In its intermediate configuration, OmegA will use the company’s CASTOR® 300 solid rocket for stage 1, a CASTOR® 600 for stage 2 and a cryogenic stage 3 with a combined payload capacity of 4,900 kg to 10,100 kg (10,800 lb. to 22,300 lb.) to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) – an elliptical orbit that satellites are placed in to reach geostationary orbit (GEO). The rocket’s heavy configuration can reach GEO directly with a CASTOR® 300 first stage, CASTOR® 1200 second stage and cryogenic third stage lifting 5,250 kg to 7,800 kg (11,600 lb. to 17,200 lb.) of payload.
OmegA’s first two stages and strap-on boosters burn solid propellant, while its third stage runs on cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Source: Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK selected Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RL10C engine instead of Blue Origin’s BE-3 to power OmegA’s cryogenic third stage. The company saw the RL10C as a more reliable choice due to its long flight history; the original RL10A-1 first flew in 1962, while the first flight test of the BE-3 occurred in 2015.
“The RL10 has an extensive flight history and provides a low-risk, affordable engine with outstanding performance,” said Mike Pinkston, Deputy General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Launch Vehicles Division, in a press release.
Air Force Partnership
OmegA was developed through a cost-sharing partnership with the Air Force, which is seeking to end its dependence on Russia’s RD-180 engine. The foreign engine powers United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket, which currently launches many of the Air Force’s national security payloads.
“Orbital ATK is very excited to partner with the U.S. Air Force to develop OmegA, our new EELV-class launch vehicle,” said Scott Lehr, President of Orbital ATK’s Flight Systems Group, referring to the Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program assuring access to space for national security satellites.
Orbital ATK is hoping to win further funding under the Air Force’s Launch Services Agreement (LSA) program but faces competition from United Launch Alliance, SpaceX and Blue Origin. The Air Force will select up to three rocket designs in mid-2018 to develop prototypes.
Orbital ATK is on schedule to carry out ground testing of OmegA’s first and second stages in 2019. The company aims for the first flights of the rocket’s intermediate configuration to begin in 2021, with certification launches of the heavy configuration to start in 2024.
Technicians secure fasteners to the forward attach ring of OmegA’s first-stage. Source: Orbital ATK