Rocketplane Kistler

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"RpK" redirects here. For other uses, see RPK (disambiguation) .
Computer rendering of K-1 launch vehicle (left) approaching the International Space Station (right)

Rocketplane Kistler ( RpK ) was a reusable launch system firm originally based in Oklahoma . [1] It was formed in 2006 after Rocketplane Limited, Inc. acquired Kistler Aerospace . NASA announced that Rocketplane Kistler had been chosen to develop crew and cargo launch services. However, having missed financial milestones NASA terminated funding for the project. It filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010. [2]

K-1 launch vehicle [ edit ]

Main article: Kistler K-1

Rocketplane Kistler's primary project was the K-1 , a reusable launch vehicle which was intended to get as high as geosynchronous orbit , and was hoped to compete with relatively expensive, one-shot rockets for servicing of the International Space Station .

Corporate history [ edit ]

Kistler Aerospace was founded in Kirkland, Washington by Walter Kistler and Bob Citron in 1993 as a private company attempting to develop fully reusable vehicles capable of earth orbit at a minimal price. [3] Rob Meyerson , who later went on to become President of Blue Origin , was a Senior Manager at Kistler Aerospace from 1997 to 2003. [4] The CEO was George Mueller , who previously had been a leader of NASA 's Apollo Program . [5]

In February 2006, Kistler was purchased by the majority owner of Rocketplane Limited, Inc , a competing reusable, private spacecraft firm. Kistler Aerospace continued to operate until its closure under the name Rocketplane Kistler. Meanwhile, Rocketplane Limited, Inc. changed its name to Rocketplane Global, Inc., with a third company, Rocketplane, Inc. set up as a parent company for the two. [6]

NASA launch partnership [ edit ]

In August 2006, NASA announced that Rocketplane Kistler had been chosen, along with SpaceX , [7] to develop crew and cargo launch services, aka Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS), for the International Space Station . The plan called for demonstration flights between 2008 and 2010. Rocketplane Kistler would receive up to $207 million if they met all NASA milestones. [8] [9] [10]

In November 2006, Rocketplane Kistler and Alliant Techsystems announced that Alliant Techsystems would become the lead contractor for Rocketplane Kistler's K-1 launch vehicle . [11]

Unmet financial milestones in 2006 and 2007 [ edit ]

In September 2006, Rocketplane Kistler began to miss financial milestones associated with the COTS agreement, and requested and received from NASA a 30-day extension on the milestone for completing its $40 million initial financing round. [12] In February 2007 RpK renegotiated its COTS agreement, agreeing to raise the $500 million of required private financing before the end of May.

By August 2007, RpK had failed to obtain that financing, forcing them to cut their workforce. [13]

On September 7, 2007, NASA notified Rocketplane Kistler that the COTS agreement would be terminated in 30 days due to continued inability to meet its financial milestones. [14] NASA announced in October 2007 that it had terminated funding for the project. [15]

Retrenchment [ edit ]

Due to financial difficulties, the company had laid off most of its employees by February 2009, and consolidated business operations in Wisconsin , [16] the home state of the company president. [16]

Rocketplane Inc., along with its subsidiaries, Rocketplane Kistler and Rocketplane Global, failed to deliver on promises to Oklahomans and?financially broke?left the state in 2009. "The company collected $18 million in state tax breaks, but its Rocketplane XP spacecraft never materialized. [The] company closed its Oklahoma City headquarters and relinquished its hangar at Burns Flat ." [17]

Bankruptcy [ edit ]

On June 15, 2010 Rocketplane Inc., as well as its subsidiaries and its CEO, George French, filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. After 17 years of attempted development, the bankruptcy paperwork for Rocketplane Kistler listed $108,250 in assets including hardware and tooling for the K-1 rocket, as well as many unvalued patents and trademarks pertaining to the rocket. Secured liabilities were claimed at $3.7 million, with unsecured liabilities listed at just under $3.7 million, as well. [6]

Kistler Space Systems [ edit ]

In December 2011 all of the assets of Rocketplane Kistler were acquired by Space Assets LLC, and a new company, Kistler Space Systems, was founded. [18] As of mid-2020 the company's website seems to have been abandoned.

See also [ edit ]

References [ edit ]

  1. ^ "Home" . rocketplanekistler.com .
  2. ^ "Farewell, Rocketplane" . www.newspacejournal.com . NewSpace Journal. 2010-07-07. Archived from the original on 2010-07-20 . Retrieved 2010-07-13 .
  3. ^ Banke, Jim (23 July 2003). "Kistler Aerospace Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection" . Space.com . Archived from the original on 2010-03-07 . Retrieved 2010-07-13 .
  4. ^ "Program that's fine-tuned to accelerate your work - ASCEND Space Event" . ASCEND . Retrieved 2021-05-26 .
  5. ^ Berger, Eric (2021). Liftoff . William Morrow and Company . p. 108. ISBN   978-0-06-297997-1 .
  6. ^ a b Cooper, Scott (7 July 2010). "Rocketplane, which received $18 million in Oklahoma tax credits, filed for bankruptcy last month" . Oklahoma Gazette . Archived from the original on 2010-07-11 . Retrieved 2014-02-06 .
  7. ^ Jones, Thomas D. (December 2006). "Techwatch-Resident Astronaut". Popular Mechanics . 183 (12): 31. ISSN   0032-4558 .
  8. ^ "NASA selects crew, cargo launch partners" . Spaceflight Now. 18 August 2006. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022 . Retrieved 2007-09-02 .
  9. ^ Braukus, Michael; Dickey, Beth; Humphries, Kelly (18 August 2006). "NASA Selects Crew and Cargo Transportation to Orbit Partners" (Press release). NASA . 06-295. Archived from the original on 12 October 2006 . Retrieved 23 October 2023 .
  10. ^ Boyle, Alan (18 August 2006). "SpaceX, Rocketplane win spaceship contest" . NBC News . Archived from the original on 29 October 2020 . Retrieved 2007-09-02 .
  11. ^ "Rocketplane Kistler and ATK Announce Agreement for K-1 Launch Vehicle and COTS Program" (PDF) (Press release). Rocketplane Kistler. 8 November 2006 . Retrieved 2007-09-02 .
  12. ^ Berger, Brian (1 August 2007). "NASA Shows Patience as Private Spaceflight Firm Hunts Financing" . Space.com . Retrieved 2007-09-02 .
  13. ^ Pasztor, Andy (2007-08-23). "Rocketplane Cuts Workforce As Financial Woes Mount" . Wall Street Journal . Retrieved 2007-09-02 .
  14. ^ Berger, Brian (September 7, 2007). "NASA Gives Rocketplane Kistler Termination Notice" . Space.com.
  15. ^ Dickey, Beth (October 17, 2007). "NASA to Open New Competition for Space Transportation Seed Money" . NASA.
  16. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (2009-07-31). "Rocketplane's woes" . Personal Spaceflight. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009 . Retrieved 2009-09-07 .
  17. ^ "No spaceships at Oklahoma's spaceport but they are welcome" . The Oklahoman. 17 January 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022.
  18. ^ Kistler Space Systems News & Info

External links [ edit ]

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