GX is a design for an expendable launch system intended to compete in the commercial satellite launch sector. The system is under development by Galaxy Express Corporation, a joint venture between IHI Corporation (IHI), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), United Launch Alliance (ULA), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LM) and several other Japanese companies.
The GX design uses a two stage rocket. The first stage will be the Atlas Common Co...
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GX is a design for an expendable launch system intended to compete in the commercial satellite launch sector. The system is under development by Galaxy Express Corporation, a joint venture between IHI Corporation (IHI), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), United Launch Alliance (ULA), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LM) and several other Japanese companies.
The GX design uses a two stage rocket. The first stage will be the Atlas Common Core Booster, currently used as the first stage of the Atlas V rocket, which will be provided by United Launch Alliance. The second stage will be a newly-designed stage produced by IHI, using liquefied natural gas as fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer. The GX will be the only space vehicle to use that combination of fuel and oxidizer.
The GX will be launched from SLC-3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California. The maiden flight is currently scheduled for 2012.
The GX program began as an effort to upgrade Japan's J-I rocket, which launched...
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