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Generation Orbit X-60
Generation Orbit X-60
Generation Orbit X-60
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X-60
Role Experimental aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Generation Orbit
Primary user Air Force Research Laboratory

The Generation Orbit X-60 (GOLauncher 1 or GO1) was an air-launched single stage suborbital rocket vehicle produced by Generation Orbit.

Design and development

[edit]
A hot-fire test of the X-60A air-launched rocket at Cecil Spaceport, January 14, 2020.

The first two segments of the GOLauncher 1 Inert Test Article (GO1-ITA) underwent a series of structural ground tests at Mercer University's Engineering Research Center (MERC) in December 2013.[1]

In July 2014, GO was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) for development of GOLauncher 1. The nine-month effort, worth $150,000, focused on requirements definition, configuration trade studies, and trajectory design.[2][3][4][5] In October 2018, the designation X-60A was assigned to the GO1 vehicle.[6]

Applications of the X-60A include access to high altitudes for microgravity, astrophysics, hypersonics testing and research of avionics. On July 20, 2014, GO flew its first captive carry test platform using a Learjet 35.[7][8]

References

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Generation Orbit X-60

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from Grokipedia
The Generation Orbit X-60A, also designated as GOLauncher 1 (GO1), is an air-launched, single-stage suborbital liquid rocket vehicle developed by Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc., under contract for the Research Laboratory (AFRL). Designed specifically for research, it enables tailorable trajectories at speeds from Mach 5 to Mach 8 and altitudes between 13,000 and 70,000 feet, facilitating the maturation of technologies such as propulsion, advanced materials, and aerodynamic configurations while increasing flight-testing frequency and reducing costs compared to traditional ground-based or larger-scale tests. The X-60A is powered by a Hadley utilizing and propellants, and it is deployed from a modified business jet-class carrier aircraft, such as a , in a high subsonic climb before ignition. This air-drop launch profile allows for flexible mission profiles, including sustained exceeding 30 seconds above Mach 5, supporting experiments in high conditions relevant to defense applications like hypersonic missiles. Development of the X-60A began under an AFRL (SBIR) contract, marking the first such program to receive an "X" designation from the U.S. , with initial milestones including captive carry flights of an inert in December 2017 and a hot-fire engine test in June 2018. By early 2020, Generation Orbit completed an integrated vehicle propulsion system ground test campaign, validating engine performance and subsystems ahead of planned flight demonstrations. Initial flight tests were delayed from 2020 targets, and as of 2024, no flight tests have been conducted. Generation Orbit, a of SpaceWorks Enterprises, has since focused on new hypersonic test platforms leveraging prior X-60A work.

Overview

Purpose and objectives

The Generation Orbit X-60A functions as an air-launched single-stage suborbital rocket dedicated to advancing hypersonic flight research by providing a cost-effective platform for real-world testing beyond the limitations of ground facilities. Its core purpose is to enable frequent, routine access to high dynamic pressure environments at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and altitudes ranging from 13,000 to 70,000 feet, supporting the maturation of critical technologies essential for next-generation aerospace systems. This includes maturing scramjet propulsion components, high-temperature materials capable of withstanding extreme thermal loads, and understanding boundary layer transition phenomena under hypersonic conditions. The vehicle's tailorable trajectories allow researchers to customize flight profiles for specific objectives, such as prolonged exposure to hypersonic regimes for over 30 seconds, facilitating detailed on aerodynamic and thermal behaviors. These capabilities directly contribute to U.S. priorities in developing hypersonic technologies by accelerating the validation of , materials, and guidance systems in operationally relevant scenarios. Beyond military applications, the X-60A addresses broader research needs by enabling high-cadence experiments that lower barriers to innovation in suborbital flight regimes. Applications of the X-60A encompass hypersonics testing for aerodynamic configurations and propulsion efficiency, as well as avionics validation under extreme conditions to ensure reliability for future systems. As a suborbital platform reaching high altitudes, it also supports microgravity experiments during apogee phases by offering brief windows of reduced gravity for instrumentation deployment. As of 2025, the X-60A has not yet conducted powered flight tests. Overall, the program enhances warfighting capabilities while fostering advancements in scientific fields like and .

Nomenclature and designations

The Generation Orbit X-60, also known as GOLauncher 1 (GO1), serves as the primary nomenclature for the research vehicle developed as part of the company's suborbital testing initiatives. This designation reflects its role in Generation Orbit's family of launch systems, where it is distinguished from larger orbital projects like GOLauncher 2, a two-stage intended for deployment to orbit. The vehicle is being developed by Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc., a U.S. company founded in 2011. In October 2018, the U.S. Air Force assigned the official military designation X-60A to the GO1 under its experimental vehicle series, marking it as the first Small Business Innovative Research program recipient to receive an "X" designation for advanced aerodynamic and propulsion testing. This classification aligns the X-60A with the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) broader hypersonic research program, emphasizing its focus on maturing technologies for high-speed atmospheric flight.

Development

Origins and company involvement

Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) was founded in 2011 in , Georgia, by a team of engineers with the primary goal of developing responsive services for small satellites, particularly nanosatellites, through innovative air-launch systems. The company established its headquarters and design facilities in to leverage the region's growing ecosystem, including partnerships with local universities and research centers. From its inception, GO aimed to provide fast, flexible, and dedicated orbital payload delivery for customers such as , the Department of Defense, commercial entities, and academic institutions, addressing the need for on-demand launches without reliance on traditional ground-based infrastructure. The initial concept for the GOLauncher 1 (GO1), later designated as the X-60A, emerged as a key element of GO's broader vision for a family of small launch vehicles, beginning with suborbital demonstrators to validate air-launched technologies. GO1 was envisioned as a single-stage, air-dropped designed to enable affordable suborbital flights, serving as a foundational step toward orbital capabilities while testing reusable carrier aircraft integration, such as modified business jets. This approach prioritized modularity and responsiveness, allowing for rapid deployment to in subsequent family members like GO2, with early designs focusing on for in small-scale missions. Early development efforts included structural ground testing of GO1 components to confirm airframe integrity under launch loads, conducted in collaboration with academic partners to build confidence in the vehicle's basic design. Following growing interest from U.S. military partners in hypersonic technologies, GO shifted its emphasis for the GO1 project toward research applications, culminating in a 2014 contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory to advance hypersonic flight testing. This pivot aligned GO's responsive launch expertise with defense needs for high-speed experimentation, positioning the X-60A as a platform for maturing scramjet and thermal protection systems.

AFRL contracts and funding

In July 2014, Generation Orbit Launch Services was awarded a Phase I (SBIR) contract by the (AFRL) valued at $150,000 and spanning nine months, aimed at developing the initial GO1 hypersonic testbed concept through requirements definition, configuration trade studies, and trajectory analysis. This contract marked the formal initiation of collaboration between Generation Orbit and AFRL's Aerospace Systems Directorate, focusing on advancing technologies for defense applications. The SBIR program, administered by AFRL to foster innovation among small businesses in support of technological needs, provided the foundational funding mechanism for the X-60 program's early development, emphasizing and transition to operational capabilities. Building on this partnership, in October 2018, AFRL officially designated the GO1 vehicle as the X-60A, incorporating it into the U.S. 's series of to standardize its role in hypersonic research efforts.

Key milestones

The X-60 program advanced through its early research phases following the Phase I (SBIR) contract awarded in July 2014, with Generation Orbit receiving a Phase II SBIR contract in August 2015 for GOLauncher 1 hypersonic testbed design and prototype development. In October 2018, the (AFRL) officially designated the vehicle as X-60A, marking its recognition as an experimental research platform. A significant step forward occurred in March 2019 with the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR), which confirmed the maturity of the program's overall design and architecture, transitioning the effort into the fabrication and assembly stage. The integrated vehicle propulsion system ground test campaign concluded in January 2020, validating key performance elements and setting the stage for potential future flight preparations. In September 2025, SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc., the parent company of Generation Orbit, received a award to support the advancement of commercial hypersonic systems using X-60 platforms, indicating continued development of the program.

Design

Vehicle configuration

The Generation Orbit X-60, designated X-60A by the U.S. (AFRL), is a single-stage vehicle designed for from a business jet-class carrier aircraft, such as the . This configuration enables deployment at high subsonic speeds during a climb, facilitating efficient access to regimes while minimizing ground infrastructure needs. The vehicle's fuselage features a cylindrical layout, with the booster section measuring approximately 4.9 meters in length and the payload section extending up to 3 meters, yielding a total length of roughly 6 to 8 meters depending on mission-specific adaptations. The fuselage is around 0.64 meters, based on structural components like the tank sections, which incorporate a 25-inch inner for optimal containment and structural integrity. A small with a 1.7-meter span provides aerodynamic stability and maneuverability during flight. Construction emphasizes lightweight, high-performance materials, including carbon-epoxy composites such as Toray T800S-3900-2C, selected for their ability to withstand the thermal stresses of hypersonic environments while reducing overall vehicle mass compared to traditional aluminum structures. These composites are fabricated using automated fiber placement techniques with tow-steering to optimize load paths, particularly in tankage areas for cryogenic propellants. A key structural element is the modular payload bay, which accommodates research instruments up to 320 kg and is engineered to simplify integration by minimizing custom interfaces. The is tailorable, allowing adjustments to the front end geometry for specific aerodynamic testing requirements across various flight profiles. This design supports seamless integration with the propulsion system to achieve suborbital trajectories tailored to hypersonic research objectives.

Propulsion system

The X-60A employs a bipropellant designated the Hadley, developed by , utilizing (a refined form of kerosene) and () as propellants. This engine configuration provides reliable ignition and combustion for suborbital operations, with the propellants stored in integrated tanks within the vehicle's to support efficient feed systems. The Hadley engine delivers a maximum thrust of approximately 22 kN (5,000 lbf) at , enabling the acceleration required for hypersonic trajectories following air-launch. This level, combined with the engine's for sustained burns exceeding 30 seconds, allows the vehicle to achieve speeds in excess of Mach 5, up to Mach 8, while operating at dynamic pressures relevant to hypersonic research. Altitudes between 13,000 ft (4 km) and 70,000 ft (21 km) are targeted, facilitating near-horizontal flight profiles in the upper atmosphere. Propulsion integration with the X-60A airframe emphasizes seamless operation post-release from a carrier aircraft, such as a modified , during a high subsonic climb at around 35,000 ft. The engine ignites shortly after separation, leveraging the initial velocity to minimize propellant consumption while building to hypersonic velocities. This setup supports the vehicle's role in maturing technologies by delivering controlled access to relevant flight conditions.

Avionics and research instrumentation

The X-60A utilizes autonomous control systems to manage its hypersonic flight profiles, enabling precise trajectory execution from air launch to reentry. These systems integrate flight management capabilities to support repeatable and tailorable research conditions above Mach 5. The vehicle's research instrumentation includes an onboard telemetry system for real-time data acquisition and downlink via radio transmission during suborbital missions, facilitating the collection of flight performance metrics and payload experiment results. Advanced sensors, such as optical strain gauges, are incorporated to measure structural responses under hypersonic loads, with provisions for additional instrumentation like accelerometers and pressure sensors to capture aerodynamic and environmental data. Payload accommodation supports experiments in hypersonics, microgravity, and related fields, with a capacity of up to 91 kg dedicated to microgravity-oriented research and up to 318 kg for broader hypersonic technology validation. The adaptable forward payload module allows integration of custom suites, including optical cameras for visual capture, ensuring compatibility with diverse scientific objectives while minimizing integration complexity.

Testing

Ground and structural tests

Ground-based testing for the Generation Orbit X-60A focused on verifying the integrated propulsion system and overall subsystems to ensure reliability under operational loads prior to flight. In late and early 2020, Generation Orbit conducted a comprehensive ground test campaign that included component-level checks of the propulsion hardware, utilizing and propellants to assess integration and performance. These tests employed flight-representative procedures to validate system functionality, including pressurization, flow control, and interface compatibility across subsystems. Preparations for static fire testing took place at Cecil Spaceport in , where subsystem validations confirmed the structural and operational integrity of the under simulated launch conditions. Engineers performed detailed inspections and alignments of the Hadley engine, developed by , to mitigate risks associated with high-thrust environments. These ground validations encompassed checks on mounting structures, feed lines, and control interfaces, ensuring seamless coordination without compromising stability. The outcomes of these tests demonstrated the X-60A's readiness for regimes, with no structural failures observed during load-bearing simulations and full-system operations, thereby reducing technical risks for subsequent aerial demonstrations. Successful completion of the campaign provided critical data on propulsion reliability at speeds exceeding Mach 5, affirming the vehicle's ability to withstand the anticipated aerodynamic and thermal stresses.

Captive carry and hot-fire tests

The captive carry tests for the Generation Orbit X-60A (also known as GOLauncher 1 or GO1) focused on validating the air-launch integration and stability of the vehicle prior to full separation and propulsion activation. In December 2017, Generation Orbit completed three captive carry flights using an actual vehicle size inert , validating air-launch integration, stability, and key subsystems such as the flight termination and separation mechanism. These tests were conducted using a business jet-class carrier aircraft. Subsequent captive carry efforts built on this foundation to further refine aerodynamic drop simulations, ensuring reliable separation from the carrier aircraft at altitude. These tests emphasized the vehicle's performance in a dynamic aerial environment, prioritizing stability during carriage and release without engine ignition to mitigate risks in early development phases. The hot-fire testing phase advanced validation by simulating performance under flight-like conditions. On January 14, 2020, an integrated vehicle hot-fire test was conducted at Cecil Spaceport in , featuring the Hadley liquid rocket powered by and propellants. This trial achieved full system ignition, a sustained duration, and controlled shutdown, verifying the propulsion system's operational integrity in a ground-based setup that replicated aerodynamic and environmental stresses of an actual launch. The objectives centered on confirming reliability for hypersonic trajectories, including thrust vector control and thermal management during simulated high-speed ascent. As of 2025, the X-60A program has not progressed to suborbital flights, with development efforts remaining centered on these captive carry and hot-fire verifications to support future hypersonic research maturation.

References

  1. https://afresearchlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/AFRL-X60A-Fact-Sheet-3-Oct-20181.pdf
  2. https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/x-60a-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle/
  3. https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/x-60.html
  4. https://www.flightglobal.com/flight-international/generation-orbit-starts-building-x-60a-hypersonic-test-vehicle/138195.article
  5. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2057852/x-60a-program-conducts-integrated-vehicle-propulsion-system-verification-test/
  6. https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/News/Display/Article/1654180/air-force-designates-go1-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-as-x-60a/
  7. https://www.spaceworks.aero/generation-orbit-completes-x-60a-integrated-vehicle-propulsion-system-ground-test-campaign/
  8. https://www.spaceworks.aero/spaceworks-enterprises-inc-to-develop-new-vertical-takeoff-and-landing-platform-for-propulsion-testing/
  9. https://www.sae.org/articles/generation-orbits-golauncher1-officially-air-forces-x-60a-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-sae-ma-03107
  10. https://spacenews.com/41786profile-anthony-j-aj-piplica-chief-operating-officer-generation-orbit-launch/
  11. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/generation-orbit-launch-services-inc/358572868
  12. https://www.robins.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1653989/us-air-force-designates-go1-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-as-x-60a/
  13. https://georgia.org/newsroom/press-releases/commercial-aerospace-venture-establishes-atlanta-headquarters
  14. https://www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2016/12/02/generation-orbit-talks-plans-weekly-launches-hypersonic-travel/
  15. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20180006190/downloads/20180006190.pdf
  16. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1654180/air-force-designates-go1-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-as-x-60a/
  17. https://spacenews.com/generation-orbit-awarded-phase-i-sbir-grant/
  18. https://www.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1654180/air-force-designates-go1-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-as-x-60a/
  19. https://spacenews.com/generation-orbit-awarded-phase-ii-sbir-contract-with-afrl-for-golauncher-1-hypersonic-testbed-design-and-prototype/
  20. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/x-60.htm
  21. https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1782519/x-60a-hypersonic-flight-research-vehicle-program-completes-critical-design-revi/
  22. https://www.spaceworks.aero/spaceworks-enterprises-inc-receives-nasa-award-to-support-advancement-of-commercial-hypersonic-systems/
  23. https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2018/10/generation-orbit-rocket-designated-x-60a-hypersonic-test-rocket.html
  24. https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/x-60a-may-make-hypersonic-flight-routine
  25. https://newatlas.com/x-60a-hypersonic-missile-design-review/58803/
  26. https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/afrl-delays-first-x-60a-flight
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