Generation Orbit X-60

X-60
Artist depiction of the X-60A in flight
General information
TypeExperimental aircraft
National origin
United States
ManufacturerGeneration Orbit
Primary userAir Force Research Laboratory

The Generation Orbit X-60 (GOLauncher 1 or GO1) was an air-launched single stage suborbital rocket vehicle produced by Generation Orbit.

Design and development

A hot-fire test of the X-60A air-launched rocket at Cecil Spaceport, January 14, 2020.

The first two segments of the GOLauncher 1 Inert Test Article (GO1-ITA) underwent a series of structural ground tests at Mercer University's Engineering Research Center (MERC) in December 2013.

In July 2014, GO was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) for development of GOLauncher 1. The nine-month effort, worth $150,000, focused on requirements definition, configuration trade studies, and trajectory design. In October 2018, the designation X-60A was assigned to the GO1 vehicle. Critical design review was completed in March 2019.

Applications of the X-60A include access to high altitudes for microgravity, astrophysics, hypersonics testing and research of avionics. On July 20, 2014, GO flew its first captive carry test platform using a Learjet 35. The vehicle then completed three additional captive carry tests in 2017.

The vehicle's integrated propulsion system validation ground testing was completed in January, 2020.

The program was cancelled in mid-2020 without much further information.

References

  1. ↑ "Structural Test Success With Generation Orbit". Mercer Engineering Research Center. 2014-02-14.
  2. ↑ "Air Launch Testbed for Endoatmospheric Hypersonic Trajectories". SBIR/STRR.
  3. ↑ "Generation Orbit Awarded Phase I SBIR with AFRL for GOLauncher 1 Hypersonic Testbed". Generation Orbit Press Release. 2014-07-09. Archived from the original on 2014-10-05.
  4. ↑ "Generation Orbit Awarded SBIR Grant for GOLauncher 1 Hypersonic Testbed". Parabolic Arc. 2014-07-09.
  5. ↑ "Generation Orbit Awarded Phase I SBIR Grant". SpaceRef Business. 2014-07-09.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Air Force Designates GO1 Hypersonic Flight Research Vehicle as X-60A". www.wpafb.af.mil. 4 October 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 "X-60A Hypersonic Flight Research Vehicle, United States of America". Airforce Technology. Archived from the original on 2025-10-11. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  8. ↑ Nate Monroe (2014-07-30). "Spaceport test flight is a giant leap for launch facility in Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union.
  9. ↑ "Guest column: Cecil Airport is poised to become a player in space industry". The Florida Times-Union. 2014-09-11.
  10. ↑ Jordan, Holly (15 January 2020). "X-60A program conducts integrated vehicle propulsion system verification test". Aerospace Systems Directorate. Air Force Research Laboratory. Archived from the original on 3 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Generation Orbit X-60 GOLauncher 1". www.designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2026-07-03.

https://generationorbit.com/x-60a at the Wayback Machine (archived August 26, 2021)