Applied Astronautics HyFIRE LOX/Methane Program

[Wigles]

Barber Nichols make reference to a 60,000 lbf LOX/Methane Rocket made by "Applied Astronautics" here:
http://www.barber-nichols.com/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/images/rocket_engine_turbopumps.pdf

I have not been able to find any other references to either the company or the rocket engine except for a small statement in an 2005 DOD small business innovation grant:
http://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/339854

Is there any more information regarding either applied astro or the methalox engine?

[MP99]

[Deleted. Note to self - pay more attention to question.]

cheers, Martin

[edkyle99]

A search gives the following address for Applied Astronautics:  3077 Leeman Ferry Road Southwest Huntsville, Al 35801-5614
https://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&channel=sb&q=3077+Leeman+Ferry+Road+Southwest+Huntsville,+Al+35801-5614&ie=UTF-8&ei=Fvn4Uqa4F_DlyAHe5YDQAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ

It also turns up a 2008 Astrotech write-down for its investment in Applied Astronautics, which makes me wonder if the latter company is still in business.  Maybe Astrotech bought the company at that time.
http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/ASTROTECH_CORP._%28SPAB%29/Other

This used to be Applied Astronautics web site:  http://www.appastro.com/

Here's what their site looked like in 2005.  Their web site seems to have shut down in early 2009.
http://web.archive.org/web/20050306021352/http://www.appastro.com/

In the early 2000s, Applied Astronautics was associated with an RLV proposal named "Hyperion", which was described as a "horizontally-launched suborbital/orbital vehicle" in the following document.
http://www.sps.aero/Key_ComSpace_Articles/LibRepts/LIB-011_AST-Commercial_Space_Technology_Roundup.pdf

The company was founded by Lauritz ("Larry") Larsen in 1994, according to this page:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lauritz-larsen/17/a95/764

 - Ed Kyle