X PRIZE Cup

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X PRIZE Cup
WireFly X PRIZE Cup Overview for COMSTAC Michael
S. Kelly, RLV/WG 25 October 2006
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Highlights

• First actual X PRIZE Cup
• Two competitions
• Northrop-Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge
• NASA Centennial Challenges Space Elevator Games
• First flight of a vehicle under FAA/AST
  Experimental Permit

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Armadillo Experimental Permit

• Experimental Permit (EP) required for Lunar
  Lander Challenges at X PRIZE Cup (instead of
  launch license)
• Armadillo completed EP requirements Thursday, 19
  October, in first untethered flight at Las Cruces

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Remaining Events on Friday and Saturday

• Successful completion of full flight profile by
  Armadillo
• Several High-Power Amateur Rockets flown
• Hybrid and LOX/alcohol static engine firings
• Bell Rocket Belt
• F-117 and F-18 fly-by

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Armadillo Flight and Landing
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And Other Flight Events
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FAA Participation

• Experimental Permitting
• HPAR trajectory simulation and rail parameter
  study pre-event
• Real-time 6 DOF simulation during event using
  real-time winds
• IIC event safety

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Back Story
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Conclusions

• XP Flight Ops had its work cut out for it
• FAA indispensable part of the team
• Despite challenges, audience experienced smooth
  event