Editing Interorbital Systems

{{Short description|American aerospace company}}
{{Infobox company
| name   = Interorbital Systems Corporation
| logo   =[[File:IOS LOGO.jpg|300px|IOS LOGO]]
| type   =
| key_people     = Rod Milliron and Randa Milliron (founders)
| industry       = [[Aerospace engineering|Aerospace]]
| products       = [[rocket engine]]s, [[rocket launch]]
| revenue        =
| num_employees  = 12 <ref name='Trib 2017'>{{cite web|url=https://archive.triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/western-pa-couple-shoot-to-win-google-lunar-xprize-on-humble-budget/ |title= Western Pa. couple shoot to win Google Lunar XPRIZE on humble budget|date=15 February 2017}}</ref>
| parent         =
| slogan =
| homepage       = http://www.interorbital.com/
| foundation     = 1996
| location       = [[Mojave, California]]
}}

'''Interorbital Systems''' ('''IOS''') is an American space development company based in [[Mojave, California|Mojave]], [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pittman |first=Carrie |title=Interorbital Systems |url=https://www.cmtc.com/made-in-california-profile-archived/interorbital-systems |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=www.cmtc.com |language=en}}</ref> It was established in 1996 by Roderick and Randa Milliron. As of October 2023, the company is in development stage for three [[Launch vehicle|orbital launch vehicles]]: NEPTUNE, TRITON, and TRITON HEAVY.<ref name='Trib 2017'/> 

Interorbital Systems has participated in the development of a launch vehicle for the [[Google Lunar X Prize]] Team Synergy Moon<ref name="lunar xprize teams">{{cite web |url=https://lunar.xprize.org/teams |title=TEAMS Google Lunar XPRIZE |access-date=2018-01-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124055813/https://lunar.xprize.org/teams |archive-date=2018-01-24 }}</ref> and has provided suborbital commercial launch services. For Orbital launch they have used ISRO and Jaxa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Launch Manifest |url=https://www.interorbital.com/Launch%20Manifest.php}}</ref> Additionally, the company participated as a competitor in the [[Ansari X Prize]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.xprize.org/files/downloads/ansari/interorbital.pdf |title=X PRIZE Team Summary Sheet: Interorbital Systems |publisher=X PRIZE Foundation }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and [[America's Space Prize]] competitions.<ref name="NBC News">{{cite news |title=Space racers set sights on orbital frontier: After X Prize, some rivals seek more lucrative payoff |first=Alan |last=Boyle |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=October 8, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112143/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6199370/ |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=2013-08-11 }}</ref>

==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: General==
The NEPTUNE rocket, a two-stage vehicle design from Interorbital Systems, would use high-performance liquid oxygen and densified propane propellants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Interorbital Preps for NEPTUNE Test Launch—and eleven smallsats will go along for the ride |first=Randa |last= Milliron |url=http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1600200139 |publisher=SatMagazine |date=October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124070916/http://satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1600200139 |archive-date=2018-01-24 }}</ref><ref name='Trib 2017'/> The first stage would be equipped with four stationary throttleable ablatively cooled liquid rocket engines, each capable of generating 4,500 pounds of thrust.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neptune modular rockets for breakthrough low-cost space access |url=https://sbir.nasa.gov/SBIR/abstracts/11/sbir/phase1/SBIR-11-1-O2.01-9812.html |access-date=2023-10-13 |website=sbir.nasa.gov}}</ref> Throttling of these engines allows for precise control of pitch, yaw, and roll during flight. 

The second stage of the NEPTUNE rocket is proposed to be powered by a single stationary ablatively cooled liquid rocket engine that generates 3,000 pounds of thrust. During the second stage engine burn and while in orbit, pitch, yaw, and roll control would be provided by cold-gas thrusters.

==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: Pressure-fed Propulsion System==
The NEPTUNE liquid rocket engines of Interorbital Systems would be fed propellants through a proprietary pressurant system. As a result, the weight of the propellant tank/pressurant system would be equivalent to a traditional propellant tank/pressurant system/pump-fed system.

By removing the propellant pump and the associated heavy electric or gas-generator pump-drive system, Interorbital Systems proposes to significantly reduce both the overall rocket development cost and the manufacturing time. This streamlined approach to the propulsion system is touted as leading to cost savings and improved efficiency in the manufacturing process.<ref name="SynergyMoon20110706">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIx-SzyS-k |title=Synergy Moon Presentation at 2011 GLXP Summit |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2011-07-16 |access-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112144/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzIx-SzyS-k |archive-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref>

==NEPTUNE Launch Vehicle: Exclusive Ocean-based Launch==
All Interorbital Systems (IOS) rockets are described as being launchable  from an ocean barge equipped with motion compensation technology. Initially, IOS plans to conduct orbital flights from the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

In 2006, IOS held an active [[launch license]] from the [[Office of Commercial Space Transportation]] for [[Tachyon (Spacecraft)|Tachyon]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lunarlander.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/advantages-of-using-white-fuming-nitric-acid-wfna-as-an-oxidizer-in-rockets/#more-19 |title=Advantages of Using White Fuming Nitric Acid (WFNA) as an oXidizer in Rockets |first=Randa |last=Milliron |work=Lunar Lander Challenged |date=2006-05-28 |access-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203112145/https://lunarlander.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/advantages-of-using-white-fuming-nitric-acid-wfna-as-an-oxidizer-in-rockets/#more-19 |archive-date=2015-12-03 }}</ref> a sounding rocket designed for suborbital flights reaching an apogee of 120 miles.

===Preliminary design concepts===
Solaris was a suborbital rocket design developed by IOS in the early 2000s. The intention behind the Solaris project was to compete for the [[Ansari X Prize]]. However, the rocket was not completed in time, and it was surpassed by [[Scaled Composites]]' [[SpaceShipOne]], which successfully claimed the prize.<ref name="NBC News" />

=== Milestones ===
[[File:Test Flight of the CPM.png|alt=The single CPM completed its first test flight on March 29th, 2014|thumb|Test flight of the single CPM on March 29th, 2014 with four payloads on board.]]The main engine of the Common Propulsion Module (CPM) underwent its first successful static engine firing on October 28, 2012. This composite chambered engine generated 7,500 pounds of thrust and used nitric acid and turpentine propellants.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

The Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) completed its inaugural test flight on March 29, 2014,<ref name="cpmtest">{{cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm|access-date=May 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090735/http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_03302014_018.htm|archive-date=April 7, 2014|title=CPM TV Rocket Launch 03.29.14}}</ref> achieving a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet. The payloads on board included two [[CubeSat|CubeSats]], a payload from [[Synergy Moon]], and a music CD titled "[[Enclosure (John Frusciante album)|ENCLOSURE]]" by [[John Frusciante]], former guitarist of the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-launch-john-frusciante-sends-new-lp-into-space-on-rocket-20140331|title=Album Launch: John Frusciante Sends New LP Into Space on Rocket|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=2014-03-31|access-date=2016-06-27|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730034254/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/album-launch-john-frusciante-sends-new-lp-into-space-on-rocket-20140331|archive-date=2016-07-30}}</ref> The CPM TV will be reused for future test flights, and all payloads were successfully recovered without damage.<ref name="cpmtest" />

=== Satellite kits ===
The '''CubeSat Personal Satellite Kit''' is available in two configurations: a standard 1 kg (2.2 lb) version and a non-standard 1.33 kg (2.93 lb) version. These kits are constructed using an aluminum frame and are designed for conducting simple experiments, as well as for receiving and transmitting radio signals. They may also be used for personal purposes.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The '''TubeSat Personal Satellite Kit''' offers an alternative to CubeSats. These kits are constructed entirely from printed circuit boards.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

According to their claims, the kits will be launched into self-decaying orbits at an altitude of 310 km (192 mi), eventually burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.{{citation needed|reason=the source given does not describe these orbits|date=January 2018}} The company has a significant number of launches planned for both types of satellites.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/Launch%20Manifest|title=Launch Manifest|website=Interorbital Systems|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042631/http://www.interorbital.com/Launch%20Manifest|archive-date=2018-01-12}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=January 2018}}

== Google Lunar XPrize ==
Interorbital Systems became a member and launch provider for [[Synergy Moon|Team Synergy Moon]] in the Google Lunar X Prize competition in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_013.htm|title=Lunar Missions_1|website=www.interorbital.com|access-date=2016-06-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706160550/http://www.interorbital.com/interorbital_06222015_013.htm|archive-date=2016-07-06}}</ref><ref name='lunar xprize teams'/> The team proposed using a modified version of the NEPTUNE rocket consisting of 36 modules to transport their lunar rover to the surface of the Moon.<ref>{{cite web|title=XPRIZE Verifies Launch Agreement for Team SYNERGY MOON as Third Google Lunar XPRIZE Team Pursuing a 2017 Lunar Mission|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160830005369/en/XPRIZE-Verifies-Launch-Agreement-for-Team-SYNERGY-MOON-as-Third-Google-Lunar-XPRIZE-Team-Pursuing-a-2017-Lunar-Mission|website=Business Wire|access-date=4 Feb 2021 |date=30 Aug 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Private spaceflight]]
*[[Orbital spaceflight]]
*[[Sub-orbital spaceflight]]
*[[OTRAG]], which used a similar [[OTRAG (rocket)|modular rocket design]]
*[[Mojave Air and Space Port]]
*[[Synergy Moon|Team Synergy Moon]]
*[[Olav Zipser#FreeFly Astronaut Project|FreeFly Astronaut Project]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.interorbital.com/ Interorbital Systems Official Site]
*[http://www.translunar.org/index.html Trans Lunar Research]
*[http://www.synergymoon.com/ Team SYNERGY MOON]

{{Space tourism}}
{{Ansari X-Prize}}

[[Category:Mojave Air and Space Port]]
[[Category:Private spaceflight companies]]