Commercial Space Launch
and Northrop Grumman
Launch Solutions
October 2018
John SteinmeyerDirector, Space Launch Business Development,
Launch Vehicle Division
Flight System Group
Wernher von Braun Symposium
Evolution of Commercial Space Launch
2
Government and Commercial are Symbiotic
• Government experience facilitated
development and successful flight
demonstration of components
later used in commercial systems
• Significant current synergy with
NASA and defense programs
enables economies of scale
3
• Active Launch Vehicle Programs
‒ Pegasus: Proven class 3 air-launch
‒ Minotaur USAF: Tailorable government launch
‒ Minotaur Commercial: Affordable commercial
small launch
‒ Antares: International Space Station cargo
resupply
• New launch system under
development (intermediate and heavy
class)
• Northrop Grumman space launch
programs serve DoD, NASA and
commercial markets
Northrup Grumman Space Launch Services
4
Successful NASA/Commercial Partnership
Cygnus spacecraft Antares launch vehicle5
• Successful COTS development and CRS-1 cargo delivery
• More than 50,000 lbs. delivered to date
• Optimized volume solution provides
maximum utility
• Awarded multiple follow-on missions
including at least
six CRS-2 missions
6
5M Diameter
Composite
Payload Fairing
3rd Stage - LOx/H2 Cryogenic Liquid
Propulsion Using RL10-C-5 Engines
2nd Stage -Solid, Single Segment
CASTOR 300 Motor
1st Stage - Solid, Two-Segment
CASTOR 600 Motor
- Four-Segment CASTOR 1200 Motor for
Heavy Vehicle
GEM 63XLT Strap-On Solid Motors to
Augment Performance – 0-6
Future NASA/Commercial Cooperation
7
Integrated solutions for cislunar
and other exploration goals
SLS booster production and
performance enhancements
Continued execution of cargo resupply missions
