SpaceDev has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to design and begin the development of the SpaceDev Streaker(TM) small launch vehicle (SLV). SpaceDev Streaker(TM) will be designed to responsively and affordably lift up to 1,000 pounds to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

"SpaceDev is thrilled to be selected for this award," said Jim Benson founding chairman and chief executive of SpaceDev. "Our engineers have been working on a practical and cost-effective small launch vehicle design for the past three years. The Air Force has indicated a need for a responsive small launch vehicle capable of quickly launching small satellites in the size-class of SpaceDev's CHIPSat microsatellite, and Common Aero Vehicles (CAVs). Various government and commercial organizations have also expressed the need to orbit small payloads at an affordable price, and with short lead times."

The SpaceDev Streaker(TM) SLV concept is based on a proprietary combination of technologies to increase the performance of hybrid rocket motor technology. Hybrid rocket motors are a combination of solid fuel and liquid oxidizer, and can be relatively safe, clean, non-explosive, and storable, and can be throttled, shut down and restarted. SpaceDev has developed small hybrid rocket motor technology for the National Reconnaissance Office, is working on a Shuttle and EELV compatible intelligent "space tug" based on hybrid technology, for the Air Force, and continues developing its larger hybrid motor in competition for Burt Rutan's historic private manned space program, SpaceShipOne.

About SpaceDev
SpaceDev creates and sells affordable and innovative space products and solutions to government and commercial enterprises. SpaceDev products and solutions include the design, manufacture, marketing and operation of sophisticated micro- and nano- satellites, hybrid rocket-based orbital Maneuvering and orbital Transfer Vehicles (MTVs) as well as safe sub-orbital and orbital hybrid rocket-based propulsion systems.