To Date, the Falcon HTV-2 was successfully launched twice though both vehicles were subsequently lost to failure due to loss of communication. This resulted in uncontrolled crashes of both systems into the ocean. The first flight was attempted in April of 2010, reaching speeds between Mach 17 and Mach 22, while the second - and last publicized flight, occurred on August 10th, 2011 out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The latter flight lasted all but 9 minutes, though valuable data was said to be garnered from the flight before the ill-timed crash including a speed value of 3.6 miles per second.
Flight Overview
The Falcon HTV-2's flight is divided into several major phases. The initial phase is the "Launch Phase" which incorporates the Minotaur IV Lite Launch Vehicle as a booster rocket to get the HTV-2 "space-borne". The thrust forces available in the Minotaur IV system allow the Falcon to reach its intended near-orbital speed and altitude. Following launch and after achieving the desired altitude reach, the HTV-2 aircraft separates from the rocket booster, switching to its Reaction Control System (RCS) to orient itself in its near-orbit environment - this called the "Reentry Orient Phase" - and makes use of thrusters built into the design (in the same way the Space Shuttle could orient itself outside of the atmosphere). Upon reaching self-control, the HTV-2 then goes into its "Reentry Phase" which sees it in a controlled dive back towards the earth. The HTV-2 then enters the "Pull-Up Phase" which is essentially the HTV-2 orienting itself upwards to a desired speed. The "Glide Phase" is next and this is where theHTV-2 really shines - achieving unheard of speeds to reach any point on the planet in an hour or less. Up to now, this period has been used to test the validity of internal systems, flight-control, data collection and aerodynamic qualities at extremely high speeds though military applications abound. After flight, the aircraft enters the "Terminal Phase" in which the HTV-2 simply rolls over and dives into a predetermined area in the ocean, ending its mission as planned. A recovery crew then collects the aircraft for reuse.
The Minotaur IV Lite Booster Rocket
The Minotaur IV Lite is a further development of the Minotaur IV rocket family. The Minotaur IV itself was developed from the "Peacekeeper" series of missiles to a Untied States Air Force requirement for an expendable launch system capable of reaching Low Earth Orbit. The "Lite" version of the Minotaur IV utilizes a three-stage process with solid fuel and its altitude reach is suborbital. To date, the Minotaur IV series has completed three successful launches, its first which carried the HTV-2 system. Each launch costs American tax payers $50 million, making for one expensive "expendable" launch system.
Miscellaneous
In September of 2007, it was announced that the United States Air Force green-lit the "Blackswift" project, a fighter-sized unmanned hypersonic aircraft designated as the HTV-3X. However, the program as cancelled in October of 2008 due to a lack of funding. The original HTV-1 was conceptualized but eventually cancelled prior to the HTV-2 coming online.
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