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Orion is a series ofAmericansolid-fuel rocket stages, developed and manufactured by a joint venture betweenHercules Aerospace andAlliant Techsystems (nowNorthrop Grumman Innovation Systems). They were originally developed for use as all three stages on thePegasus rocket, first flown in 1990. Orion is available in several configurations for a variety of use scenarios. All stages in this family use anammonium perchlorate composite propellant called QDL-1, which includesHTPB binder and 19%aluminium, with the exception of the yet-unflown Orion 32, which uses QDL-2, containing HTPB binder and 20% aluminium.[1]
Orion stages are numbered to indicate their configuration. The first number, either 38 or 50, indicates the diameter of the stage. This is followed by various letters. S indicates a stretched, first stage variant. XL indicates an additional stretch. G indicates a ground-launched stage, with a shorter nozzle. T indicates a strengthened skirt.
| Stage | Orion 38 | Orion 50/50T | Orion 50S | Orion 50S XL | Orion 50ST | Orion 50S XLT | Orion 50S XLG | Orion 50 XL/50 XLT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.97 m (38 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) | 1.3 m (50 in) |
| Length | 1.3 m (53 in) | 2.7 m (105 in) | 8.9 m (349 in) | 10.3 m (404 in) | 8.5 m (333 in) | 9.9 m (389 in) | 9.4 m (372 in) | 3.1 m (122 in) |
| Gross mass | 892 kg (1,966 lb) | 3,369 kg (7,428 lb) | 13,405 kg (29,554 lb) | 16,173 kg (35,656 lb) | 13,405 kg (29,554 lb) | 16,181 kg (35,672 lb) | 16,200 kg (35,720 lb) | 4,320 kg (9,520 lb) |
| Burnout mass | 110 kg (243 lb) | 324 kg (715 lb) | 952 kg (2,098 lb) | 1,092 kg (2,408 lb) | 952 kg (2,098 lb) | 1,092 kg (2,408 lb) | 1,114 kg (2,456 lb) | 374 kg (824 lb) |
| Burn time (sec.) | 67.7 | 75.6 | 75.3 | 69.1 | 75 | 68.4 | 68.4 | 69.7 |
| Rocket (stage) |
| Pegasus (2nd) | Pegasus (1st) | Pegasus XL (1st) | Minotaur-C (1st) | Taurus XL (1st) | Taurus Lite (1st) |
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| Liquid fuel |
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| Solid fuel |
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