Phaethon (Rocket)

Phaethon
Type	Launch Vehicle (Air-launched to orbit)
Place of origin	Iverica
Service history
In service	2010-present
Used by	Iverica
Production history
Designer	Suisa Special Projects Division, Astronomo Orbital Dynamics
Designed	1999
Manufacturer	Suisa Consildated Manufacturing
Produced	2009-present
Variants	Phaethon XL
Specifications
Weight	18,500 kg (40,800 lb)
Length	16.9 m (55 ft)
Diameter	1.27 m (50 in)
Wingspan	6.7 m (22 ft)
Propellant	3 stage; solid propellant, optional 4th stage monopropellant
Speed	exceeds 1,006.62 mph (1,620.00 km/h) (Supersonic+)
Guidance system	Inertial Guidance System, GPS Receiver
Launch platform	Fixed-wing aircraft Rotor-wing aircraft Ship-launched Vehicle-launched (mounted)
Transport	S-1011 Trestrell

Phaethon is an air-launched launch vehicle developed by Suisa Special Projects Division and Astronomo Orbital Dynamics. It is currently operated by the Fuersas L'Aire and the Western Argis Aerospace Defence Command to launch Reconnaissance satellites. Phaethon was designed upon request of the Iverican Fuersas L'Aire; requiring a relatively expedient means of launching satellites on-demand to address Iverica's lack of larger rocket-launch capability.

Phaethon first flew in 2010 and remains active as of 2022. The vehicle consists of three solid propellant stages and an optional monopropellant fourth stage. Phaethon is released from its carrier aircraft at approximately 12,000 m (39,000 ft), and its first stage has a wing and a tail to provide lift and attitude control while in the atmosphere. Notably, the first stage does not have a thrust vector control (TVC) system.

The rocket can deploy small payloads of up to 443 kg (977 lb) into low Earth orbit though payloads have increased since the deployment of Phaethon XL. A variety of different satellites were developed since the success of its first launch. The rocket now also launches communications microsatellites and space-based radar microsatellites.

Design

Materials

The rocket body is made of aluminium with some titanium reinforcement whereas the delta wing and tail are constructed of carbon composites. Ultralight aerospace-grade aluminium and carbon composites were chosen as higher thermal resistance is not needed for its mission profile; the rocket's mission and purpose is completed upon deployment. Phaethon may burn up upon re-entry.

The payload fairing was initially constructed of stainless steel cone but was later changed in favour of a graphene coated composite cone to further reduce mass.

Titanium parts on Phaethon rockets consist of the vector-thrust nozzle and framework supports in the payload compartment.