The Liberty rocket concept designed to launch astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) is moving ahead. Nasa has signed an agreement with Alliant Techsystems (ATK) to help the company develop the stick-like vehicle. The bottom part of the proposed Liberty rocket would be based on the solid-fuelled boosters that helped get the shuttle off the ground. Read more
The Liberty rocket and the 'genetics' of human spaceflight
I wondered how long it would take before we saw Europe's biggest space company, Astrium, step into the race to develop a follow-on to the soon-to-be retired space shuttle. It needs a US partner to get involved in the Nasa commercial crew development programme, of course, and in ATK it has one of the key companies in human spaceflight rocketry. The firms' proposed Liberty rocket would mesh elements from the shuttle launch system with Europe's Ariane 5. Read more
ATK and Astrium Unveil the Liberty Launch Vehicle Initiative for NASA's CCDev-2 Competition
ATK and Astrium (an EADS Company) are working together in response to NASA's Commercial Crew Development-2 (CCDev-2) procurement. The team is offering NASA launch services with the Liberty rocket. This new launch vehicle combines two of the world's most reliable propulsion systems, with a collective heritage of nearly 150 successful flights. Read more