SpaceLoft XL
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| Fact sheet | |
|---|---|
| Function | Sounding rocket |
| Manufacturer | UP Aerospace |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Size | |
| Height | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Diameter | 10 in (25 cm) |
| Mass | unknown |
| Stages | 1 |
| Launch History | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch Sites | Spaceport America |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Failures | 1 |
| Maiden flight | 25 September 2006 |
| First Stage | |
| Engines | 1 solid |
| Thrust | Unknown |
| Burn time | >90 seconds |
| Fuel | solid |
The SpaceLoft XL is a sounding rocket developed by UP Aerospace. The rocket has a diameter of 10 inches (25 cm), and is 20 feet (6 m) long. It is capable of lofting a 110 lb (50 kg) payload to a sub-orbital trajectory with an apogee of 140 miles (225 km).[1]. It takes only 90 seconds to cross the Kármán line (the "Edge of space").
The first launch was made at 2:14 p.m. local time (20:14 GMT) on September 25, 2006, from Spaceport America, in Upham, New Mexico. During its maiden flight, it experienced an "unexpected aerodynamic effect" and crashed in the New Mexico desert after reaching only 40,000 feet (12 km).
A second flight was initially scheduled for October 21, 2006, but was later delayed to allow for a more thorough investigation of the first failure. This flight was expected to carry cremated human remains, including those of astronaut Gordon Cooper and Star Trek actor James Doohan, a payload that was originally scheduled to be launched by a Falcon 1 rocket.
UP Aerospace currently hopes to still launch by the end of 2006. [1]
