Hyperion

HYPERION, THE TITAN OF THE COSMOS—-What a fitting name for a launch vehicle that allows us to touch the stars.

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Orion Technologies proudly unveils its newest launch vehicle: Hyperion. A rocket built to make access to deep space, easy. With up to 8 different configurations, Hyperion can deliver your payloads anywhere in the solar system.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE AT BOTTOM

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DESIGN OVERVIEW

Hyperion is in the RMLV class of launch vehicles, and is built with modularity in mind. With just one launch vehicle, payloads can be delivered to virtually every thinkable destination in space. Hyperion can have, as mentioned earlier, up to 8 unique configurations. The rocket stands(with the 45ft tall PLF Option) at 200ft tall. Two different PLF Options exist, the 45ft tall and the 65ft tall. 4 different SRB configurations are possible, being in pairs. 0, 2, 4, or 6 SRBs. Payload capacity ranges from 16,000lbs to LEO(with 0 SRBs and the 45ft PLF), to 59,200lbs to LEO(with 6 SRBs and the 65ft PLF).

Core Stage

Hyperion’s Core Stage is a large piece of launch vehicle architecture, hauling the HCUS Upper Stage and the payload for the first 3 minutes of launch. The stage measures 14ft in diameter, and (with the interstage) 122ft tall. It is mainly constructed out of aerospace-grade aluminum-lithium alloy, giving it its silver finish. The fuel used in the core stage is the highly-efficient-but-also-powerful combo of LCH4 and LOX. The thrust structure(white base) houses the propulsion of the Core Stage: 4x OE-9A engines. The OE-9A is an advanced staged combustion methalox engine manufactured right here at Orion Technologies. It boasts 240,000lbf of thrust at sea-level, and low-throttling abilities(down to 32%). The Hyperion Core Stage makes use of a SMART reuse system. SMART stands for Sensible Modular Autonomous Return Technology, and allows the entire thrust structure, including the expensive engines and avionics, to be returned to Earth after launch and reused. The thrust structure module houses parachutes, RCS, heat shielding, and guidance systems for retuning the thrust structure and engines. The module is designed to separate from the Core Stage prop tanks after stage separation. NOTE: I intended to use an inflatable heat shield for the SMART system, but due to the high part count and complexity of one in JNO, we opted for an ablative. A Hyperion IRL would use an inflatable heat shield for this. The core stage also houses the interstage, a composite casing protecting the HCUS Upper Stage during ascent. The interstage uses a novel separation method: a system of guide rails, gears, and pneumatic pistons that carefully remove the HCUS from the interstage.

SRBs

Hyperion employs the use of SRBs for its modularity and higher payload capacities. The SRB of choice is the GEM-63XL*, the same as used on ULA’s Vulcan. Hyperion has mounts for 0, 2, 4, or 6 SRBs, boosting payload to orbit by about 12000lbs each configuration. Each GEM-63XL burns for about 90 seconds. *We ended up using our own GEM-70 SRBs for Hyperion, though I found out that they are too large and too powerful for Hyperion. But, I couldn’t find a nice GEM-63XL so we had to use our own SRBs instead.

HCUS Upper Stage

The HCUS(Hyperion Cryogenic Upper Stage) is the second stage of Hyperion. It utilizes the unique hanging-tank design, taking advantage of its oddly-shaped interstage. The cryogenic stage is optimized for long-duration missions, and uses the ultra efficient fuel combination of LH2/LOX. The LH2 is stored in the visible white barrel, and the LOX is stored in the hidden silver barrel below. The stage measures 18ft in diameter(12ft at the LOX barrel) and is over 50ft tall. From top to bottom: a carbon-fiber composite PAF covers the forward LH2 dome. The white LH2 tank stands about 20ft tall itself, and is 18ft in diameter. It has connections for both the interstage and the PLF. The intertank for the HCUS is composed of 6 carbon-fiber struts, supporting the tanks and hardware below. 12 COPVs storing helium pressurant are attached to the intertank. The LOX tank is only 12ft in diameter, and is covered in MLI for long-duration missions. The equipment shelf is housed below the LOX tank, and houses avionics, guidance systems, RCS fuel, batteries, and the propulsion for the HCUS. The octagonal structure is also the HCUS thrust structure, and contains the two RL-10C-X engines that power the upper stage. RL-10C-X is the most powerful, most efficient version of the long-proven RL-10 family, currently used of Vulcan, Atlas, and SLS. RL-10C-X has an in-space efficiency of 461s. Additionally HCUS has a hypergolic RCS system, using the (toxic) fuels Monomethylhydrazine and N₂O₄, stored in the gray spheres under the equipment shelf. The stage has a nominal burn time of 10 minutes, and is able to last for up to 48 hours in space with the current configuration. Modifications can up this to almost 100 hours in space.

Payload Fairing

The Payload Fairings(PLFs) are the tip of the spear. They shroud and protect the payload on its way to orbit. We use bi-part fairings. The PLFs are made of composite materials, and are constructed by Beyond Gravity. We offer two versions for the PLF, one that is 45ft tall and one that is 65ft tall for enhanced payloads. Both are 5.5m, or 18ft in diameter.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF HYPERION

AG 9: Fuel Purge
AG 10: RCS

HYPERION IS ONLY MEANT FOR RSS

When you download Hyperion, you will find that there are disconnected parts. This is because Hyperion is modular. There should be 6 SRBs and an extra PLF. the current PLF is the 45ft tall option, and if needed, it can be removed and replaced by the 65ft tall option. Simply grab the lowest gold ring, and remove or place the fairings as needed. You can also make a Subassembly of the taller one and attach it when needed.
As for the SRBs, Hyperion can have configurations of 0, 2, 4, or 6 SRBs. There are labeled SRB mounts on the Core Stage. To mount an SRB, grab its forward separator, and move to the correct mount. For the 0 configuration, remove all SRBs. For 2 SRBs, place a pair at the A mounts, and remove the rest. For 4 SRBs, place pairs or SRBs at the B and C mounts, but not A. Remove the rest. For 6 SRBs, place all SRBs to their respective mounts.
To reuse SMART, separate HCUS, and then switch back to the Core Stage. Separate from prop tanks, and re-enter upside down. Deploy parachutes at reasonable altitude and land in ocean.
Fuel Purge(AG9), is meant to give a realistic experience for the RL-10C-X engines. Just prior to RL-10C-X start, activate AG9, simulating the plume of cryogenic propellants. Throttle up RL-10C-X and quickly deactivate AG9.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to @TheQiQi’s JNO Toolset for the decals.
Thanks to the entire Orion Technologies team and the weeks of effort that they put into this project!

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My apologies for the high-part count

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ENJOY!