ARMADILLO AEROSPACE LAUNCHES 2ND “STIG-B” ROCKET
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November 3, 2012 - Spaceport America, NM - New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) officials announced today the launch of a "STIG-B" rocket designed and built by Armadillo Aerospace of Heath, TX. This launch was the secound licensed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA launch to take place from Spaceport America's vertical launch complex and the third research and development test flight this year at Spaceport America conducted by Armadillo Aerospace. The partially successful launch took place on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 10:26am. The STIG-B rocket returned intact to the recovery area at the Spaceport after not achieving the planned altitude of 100km. The on-board safety system detected an anomalous condition shortly after lift-off and the engine shut down. Their recovery system worked perfectly with the steerable parachute system bringing the vehicle back to a gentle landing near the launch pad. The vehicle currently is being prepared for its next flight which is expected to occur early next year. This was a non-public nonpublished event at the request of Armadillo Aerospace as the company is testing proprietary advanced technologies. Armadillo Aerospace is a leading developer of reusable rocket-powered vehicles and plans to provide a platform for civilian access to suborbital space. Today's flight was the spaceport's second FAA-licensed launch, the 7th Armadillo Aerospace vehicle, and the 17th vertical launch from Spaceport America since 2006. Armadillo Aerospace plans to release additional information on the launch as information becomes available and updates will be posted online at www.armadilloaerospace.com. |
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About Armadillo Aerospace
Founded in 2000, Armadillo Aerospace has an unequaled experience base with over 200 flight tests spread over a dozen different vehicles. The company has done work for NASA and the United Stated Air Force and flown vehicles at every X-Prize Cup and Northrup Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge event, including those held in New Mexico from 2006 to 2008. For more information please visit www.armadilloaerospace.com
About Spaceport America
Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the World. The launch complex has been providing commercial vehicle launch services since 2006, and is situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the US Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic is the spaceport's anchor tenant and customer. Phase one of the development which includes the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space Terminal Hanger Facility, the Spaceport Operations Center, the 10,000 foot spaceway and supporting infrastructure is expected to be complete in 2012
Phase two activities have already begun and include improvements to the vertical launch complex, airfield safety zone extensions, additional road access to the spaceport, and the development of a world-class Visitor Experience that includes two Welcome Centers and a Visitor Center designed to delight and inspire the spaceport guests.
Spaceport America has hosted 17 vertical launches thus far from customers including Armadillo Aerospace, UP Aerospace, MOOG FTS and Lockheed Martin.
With over 1000 jobs created for New Mexicans to date, the economic impact of launches, tourism and new construction at Spaceport America is already delivering on the promise of economic development to the people of New Mexico. For more information please visit www.spaceportamerica.com
For More Information Please Contact:
CRAIG CURRAN , ASA
Galactic Experiences By DePrez, DePrez Travel Bureau, Inc.
585-442-8900 X224