Introduced drone Aevum Ravn X, which can quickly and often put satellites into orbit
Startup Aevum from Alabama (USA) presented on December 3 one of the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicles Ravn X, designed to launch small spacecraft into orbit.
The Ravn X combines a horizontal take-off and landing unmanned aircraft with a rocket that can be launched from high altitude and can deliver small payloads into space.
The Ravn X is 80 feet (24.4 m) long, 60 feet (18.3 m) wingspan, and 18 feet (5.5 m) high. It is not the largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in terms of size. For example, the wings of Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton drone extend nearly 131 feet (39.9 m). But the Ravn X weighs in at 55,000 pounds (24.9 tonnes).
The Ravn X delivery system is capable of putting small satellites into orbit in just 180 minutes, with the ability to re-launch shortly thereafter. The drone uses conventional fuel, the same as commercial airliners, and can take off and land in almost any weather, according to founder and CEO Jay Stylus. It can also take off and land anywhere on a normal one mile (1.6 km) runway. This means that, in theory, Ravn X can use virtually any operating airport in the world as a launch and landing pad.
One of the key differences between Aevum and other space launch startups is that Ravn X already has clients, including contracts with the US government worth more than $ 1 billion. Its first mission is to launch a small satellite ASLON-45 for the Space Force. The US slated for late 2021. There is also a 20 mission contract for nine years with the US Air Force Center for Space and Rocket Systems. According to Stylus, the startup has already begun supplying the serial Aevum to customers.
