Masten Space Systems, Inc.
From the homepage:
"A RETAIL APPROACH TO SPACE
Masten Space Systems is working to create inexpensive access to space by incrementally developing a series of launch vehicles with the reusability and reliability of airplanes. The key to this approach is creating a technology base that is both scalable and flexible. We believe that vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) is the only way to get the scalability and flexibility to quickly and inexpensively develop the appropriate vehicles for all phases of space flight, from the eXtreme Altitude (XA) line of sub-orbital vehicles progressing to staged orbital launch vehicles and planetary exploration vehicles."
Products:
# XA-1.0 The first planned production vehicle is the XA-1.0. (eXtreme Altitude). It will take a 100kg payload to over 100km altitude on a suborbital trajectory several times in a single day. It will be used to test out many of the systems, operations techniques, and technologies that will be used in later vehicles. It is being developed in an incremental, "build a little, test a little, fly a little" style that will help keep costs down and progress fast. We are targeting a cost per flight of between $20,000 to $30,000 depending on the launch site facilities and costs. At 100kg per flight that gives customers the opportunity to for missions at $300/kg. A price point that is easily within reach of any K-12 program and most science fair projects.
Launchdate: expected mid 2007.
# XA 1.5
Is a slightly scaled up version of XA 1.0 that can reach much higher altitudes with twice as much cargo mass. XA 1.5 is the precursor to the O 1.X series orbital upper stages, xT series Transfer Vehicules and XL series extraterrestrial landers.
Launchdate: expected mid 2008.
# XA 2.0
Is a much larger version of the previous two vehicles and will be capable of carrying either 2000kg (or roughly 5 people) to an altitude of at least 500km. The size and power of this vehicle is the basis for the lower stages or B series of orbital boosters. This vehicle will be capable of servicing the space tourism market.
Launchdate: beyond 2009?
The long term product strategy for Masten Space Systems is an incremental approach that uses components and systems from earlier revenue producing products as the basis for future capability. This roadmap illustrates how the lineage of all future products trace back to the original XA 1.0 vehicle. The roadmap illustrates technical development paths and not an exact timeline since planning beyond 2009 is difficult in such a fast moving industry.
