A small, low-cost vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) launch vehicle being developed for suborbital flights is being tested by Mojave, Calif.-based Masten Space Systems. Designed for quick-turnaround missions, the initial XA-0 1B-750 suborbital vehicle (also dubbed the "Zombie"), forms the basis for a vehicle that could be used to carry scientific and educational payloads before the end of this year, says the company. Test firings of the 1 B-750 isopropyl alcohol/liquid oxygen-powered rocket and proof-of-concept vehicle are underway and producing slightly more thrust than expected. Capable of up to 850 Ib. thrust, the rocket is stabilized by two-axes main engine gimbals as well as four reaction control thrusters. Masten says the engine is also designed to point up to 15 deg. away from the vehicle centerline, which the company adds is more than any other launch vehicle in its class. A lighter version of the Zombie, which made its first successful VTOL demonstration flight on May 8, is also planned for use with the same engine in the upcoming X Prize Cup competition in New Mexico.
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机译：总部位于加利福尼亚州莫哈韦的Masten Space Systems正在测试一种正在为亚轨道飞行开发的小型低成本低成本垂直起降（VTOL）运载工具。最初的XA-0 1B-750次轨道飞行器（也称为“僵尸”）是为快速周转任务而设计的，它是今年年底之前可用于运载科学和教育有效载荷的运载工具的基础，公司。 1 B-750异丙醇/液氧动力火箭和概念验证飞行器正在进行试验射击，产生的推力比预期的略高。能够达到850 Ib。推力时，火箭由两轴主发动机万向节和四个反作用控制推进器稳定。玛斯滕说，发动机还设计成可指向15度角。该公司补充说，它远离车辆中心线，比同类中的任何其他运载火箭都多。较轻型的Zombie计划于5月8日成功进行首次VTOL示范飞行，也计划在即将到来的新墨西哥州X奖杯竞赛中与该发动机一起使用。
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