An American based start-up aerospace company Aevum unveiled what it calls the world’s largest autonomous launch vehicle – or drone – to launch small satellites into space rapidly at prices below conventional rocket launches.
The Ravn X weighs 25 tonnes when it is carrying a full payload, which makes it the heaviest unmanned aircraft taking to the skies. All its dimensions are extreme, being almost 6 metres tall and 10 metres long.
This next-gen aircraft promises more than size and style. It was designed to launch satellites in space. Basically, once the Ravn X reaches the desired location and altitude, it drops a rocket midair that shoots small satellites (a payload of about 220 pounds) into low-Earth orbit. Aevum claims the Ravn X will be able to deliver these satellites to space as fast as every 180 minutes, 24/7, with no risk of human life. After the mission is complete, the aircraft lands and parks itself in a hangar.
Once the Ravn X reaches its needed cruising altitude, its two-stage rocket strapped to the bottom of the vehicle drops off and ignites within a second of detachment. This rocket then completes the delivery of the payload to its orbit. Aevum says that the plan is to make about 95 percent of the vehicle reusable, but when it first launches only about 70 percent will be used subsequently. The massive drone will automatically return to base, land, and head back into the hanger so that it can immediately be prepped for the next launch.
Other than the different nature of this drone’s mission, it is pretty much the same as any other aircraft. It may look strange in comparison, but the flight mechanics are all the same. It only needs about 1,500m to lift off and, meaning it could use a commercial airport as a base and uses the same jet fuel as commercial airliners.
It is a similar working model as we’ve seen from Virgin Galactic, but the delivery vehicles are very different. It remains to be seen which model more cost is effective and wins more lucrative commercial contracts.
Main Image: NewsBeezer
