Aurora

Introduction: Our newest and final addition to the Einstein100 rocket family, Aurora. Aurora is the pinnacle of rocket technology here, sporting advanced and innovative technologies.

Design Overview: Aurora is a 223ft tall launch vehicle. The SRBs are built with reliable Space Shuttle technology, and are the tried-and-true 4-segment, 146 inch SRBs, used on all 135 Shuttle flights. These modernized SRBs sport new guidance systems as well as a more powerful propellant and a new paint job, similar to that from SLS Artemis boosters. The SRBs provide over 90% of thrust at launch. The core stage is an 18ft diameter aluminum-lithium alloy stage filled with LH2 and LOX propellants. The core stage’s orange color comes from the advanced insulation foam sprayed on to the outside of the tanks. The core stage utilizes twin cryogenic RS-25E regeneratively-cooled nozzle fuel-rich staged combustion rocket engines, with each providing a constant, efficient stream of thrust up to stage separation. The upper stage is built using a hanging tank design, with the LOX tank hung below the LH2 tank by 6 carbon-fiber shafts. 6 helium bottles are also wedged in between the two tanks, providing tank pressurization. The upper stage also utilizes twin cryogenic propellant-fueled RL-10C-X expander cycle rocket engines. These engines balance a very high efficiency with high thrust output, allowing Aurora’s Cryogenic Orbital Upper Stage(COUS) to launch a variety of payloads to a variety of orbits/destinations. The PLF is a carbon-composite 5.4 meter(18ft) diameter that is about 70ft tall and can house several different satellite sizes.

Conclusion: Aurora is a high-efficiency, reliable launch vehicle, destined to provide the future of spacecraft delivery to orbit and beyond.

Acknowledgments: Einstein100, on behalf of OrionTechnologies(parent company) would like to thank @AstrumY and @VectronTechnologies for their payload submissions and work and effort in the Aurora program. Aurora Mission 1 successfully launched Astrum y’s OMPS satellite into a heliocentric orbit. As a secondary payload, Vectron Technologies’ Vectron Imaging Satellite was placed into a 1000km x 22,300km Droo orbit beforehand. Altogether, the Aurora Mission 1 was a complete success testing all required systems. This major accomplishment would not have been possible without our sponsors. Enjoy!