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First Roton ATV Translational Flight Test Successful Vehicle Flies 4,300 feet at over 50 mph
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photographs, including high-resolution ones for press use, as well
as digitized video of the flight can be found on our web site at:
http://www.rotaryrocket.com/hot/hot.html
MOJAVE, Calif., October 18, 1999
Rotary Rocket Company=92s Roton ATV (Atmospheric Test Vehicle) approach and landing demonstrator made its first translational (forward) flight in the envelope expansion flight program, flying 4,300 feet along a Mojave airport runway, at 07:23 am PDT, Tuesday October 12, 1999. The ATV had previously been rolled-out for flight on October 6, 1999, but that flight had been cancelled due to poor weather conditions. This time the weather at Mojave Airport was perfect with a clear blue sky and no wind. The 65 feet tall by 22 feet diameter conical vehicle was piloted by a two person crew comprising the pilot, Dr. Marti Sarigul-Klijn, Cmdr. USN-Ret and Roton Chief Engineer, with Brian Binnie, Cmdr. USN-Ret. and Roton Flight Test Director, as copilot. Both crew members are highly qualified and experienced flight test pilots.
The flight, the second in the envelope expansion flight test program for the Roton ATV and the third flight overall, was a low altitude translational (forward) flight south to north along Runway 30-12 at Mojave. This flight was to demonstrate the ability of the Roton ATV to fly at varying speeds under full control in a forward direction--exactly the same mode of flying that would be needed by a returning space vehicle maneuvering to land at an airport. In technical terms, the test was to investigate the longitudinal stability and control characteristics of the Roton ATV in forward flight.
During the test, the ATV reached a maximum altitude of 75 feet above the Mojave runway and a maximum ground speed of approximately 53 miles per hour and flew a total of 4,300 feet along the runway. All values were within parameters planned for the flight. Observers along the flight path noted that "The ATV thundered past them like an express train--a truly awesome experience!" All flight test requirements were exceeded and exceptionally good flight data was obtained. Preliminary analysis of the flight data obtained shows good correlation with the ATV=92s integral hardware-in-the-loop simulator and the flight data will be used to further fine-tune the simulator.
After the translation portion of the flight, the pilots used their remaining fuel allowance to maintain a sustained, controlled, hover before touching down gently, once again demonstrating the ATV=92s ability to execute precision, soft, landings. The total test duration from rotor start to rotor stop was 9 minutes 45 seconds. The total flight time was 3 minutes 47 seconds, of which 1 minute 50 seconds was in forward flight and 1 minute 57 seconds was spent in hover at the end of the flight. The total accumulated flight time on the ATV is now 6 minutes and 27 seconds
During the debriefing, the pilots commented that a key factor in the success of the flight was their ability to plan and rehearse the flight on the ATV=92s integral hardware-in-the-loop simulator prior to flight. They said that while the ATV was not at all hard to fly, it was significantly different to any existing rotorcraft or aircraft, so practice was required beforehand in order to fly the test profile smoothly.
The primary function of the Roton ATV is to demonstrate the operational viability of vertically landing a returning space vehicle using a tip thruster powered rotor-blade landing system. The Roton ATV is similar in concept to the Space Shuttle Enterprise that NASA built and flew to test the orbiter=92s landing characteristics before proceeding to build space-worthy version Space Shuttles. The ATV flight test program will verify the Roton=92s pilot-guided approach and landing capability over a range of flight regimes.
Gary C. Hudson, President and CEO of Rotary Rocket Company said after the successful conclusion of the flight, "An extremely successful and impressive test. There is now no doubt in our minds, or in the minds of those present at the test, that the Roton does fly and, in fact, it flies very well." Hudson added that "The quality of the flight data obtained from this flight is such that it may well be possible to reduce the scale of the ATV flight test program without compromising results. This is an important consideration for a small company such as ours operating within our budget constraints." He went on to congratulate the flight crew and other employees of Rotary Rocket Company for their superb efforts in completing the flight successfully.
Rotary Rocket Company=92s Roton piloted reusable space vehicle will serve the telecommunications satellite market, a more than $30 billion market, at a fraction of the price of existing commercial expendable rockets. The Roton will enter into commercial service in 2001. Rotary Rocket Company has offices in Redwood City, California, Mojave, California and Washington D.C.
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Visit our What=92s Hot Feature to view video clips and photographs from the flight test:
http://www.rotaryrocket.com/hot/hot.html
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Contact:
Geoffrey V. Hughes, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Rotary Rocket Company
650-298-3305
marketing@rotaryrocket.com
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