User:LizArchive/Wolfram Aerospace

Wolfram Aerospace is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wolfram Aerospace was founded in 1986 by Thom K Henson in an effort to bring the success of space exploration to the private sector. Currently, Wolfram Aerospace manufacturers the Tungsten 3250-A rocket as well as various satellites.

Founding (1986)
Wolfram Aerospace was founded by Thom K Henson in an effort to replicate progress created by the USA's NASA and Europe's ESA in the private sector. In partnership with the European Space Agency, Wolfram Aerospace launched its Atlas programme. By 1989, Wolfram Aerospace had launched four separate research orbiters to Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter.

Atlas Programme (1987-1997)
Wolfram Aerospace's success with the first few satellites built in conjunction with the European Space Agency prompted more to be built. The launch of Atlas 5 in 1991 was the first ever spacecraft that would orbit a dwarf planet and the first one to visit both Vesta and Ceres. Six years later, the launch of Atlas 6 added Saturn made the number of planets that did not have a dedicated mission to it decrease to just two.

Tungsten-3250A (1998-Present)
Wolfram Aerospace developed the Tungsten-3250A (W-3250A) in the 1990s, officially making it publicly known in 1998. The W-3250A was the first rocket to be developed with over 50% private funding (the rocket was 89% privately funded).

The first two launches were unsuccessful, with both being destroyed. The third launch was the first successful flight, and the fourth launch carried its first payload - the Atlas 7 lunar orbiter.

Atlas Programme
Wolfram Aerospace launched its Atlas Programme with a primary focus of exploration and research within the Solar System. Currently, six Atlas missions operate in conjunction with the National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The six missions operate to the five planets closest to Earth as well as an additional mission (Atlas 5) to Vesta and Ceres.



Tungsten-3250A
The Tungsten 3250A (W-3250A) is an expendable liquid-fuelled heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by Wolfram Aerospace. Development began in 1994, and was made public in 1998.

The W-3250A is capable of carrying 20,000-22,000 kg (44,092-48,501 lb) to low Earth Orbit and 13,000 kg (28,600 lb) to geosynchronous transfer orbit. W-3250A consists of a central fuel cell, two side-mounted fuel cells and an upper stage.

Operations
At lift off, all three fuel cells operate at 100%. Between V+38 and V+44 seconds, the centre fuel cell gradually reduces to 55% thrust for fuel conservation. Between V+148 and V+235 seconds, the two side-mounted fuel cells reduce their thrust output from 100% to 75% gradually before running out of fuel at V+236 seconds. Simultaneously, the centre fuel cell throttles up to 100% by V+245 before gradually declining to 90% by V+320. At V+328, the centre fuel cell is exhausted of fuel.

Capability

 * Low Earth Orbit - 22,000 kg (48,501 lb)
 * Low Earth Orbit (ISS) - 20,000 kg (44,092 lb)
 * Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit - 13,000 kg (28,600lb)
 * Geosynchronous Orbit - 6,250 kg (13,779 lb)
 * Lunar Transfer Orbit - 9,250kg (20,393 lb)
 * Mars Transfer Orbit - 7,000kg (15,432 lb)

Launch History
Four testable prototypes were constructed. The first two were written off during the testing period: W-3250A-1 exploded on lift off due to a failure of the o-ring seals and W-3250A-2 exploded at V+213 seconds after the left fuel tank spontaneously exploded. W-3250A-3 was the first successful launch, and W-3250A-4 was the first one to carry payload.