Lockheed Martin tested a hybrid rocket motor June 10 as part of the Falcon Small Launch Vehicle program, Lockheed Martin announced.

The test, conducted at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., used a full-scale test version of the upper stage motor. The motor, which combines solid and liquid propulsion systems, fired for 120 seconds.

The goal of the Falcon program is to develop and demonstrate an affordable and responsive launch capability to low Earth orbit. Lockheed Martin is one of four teams working on the Falcon program under an $11.7 million contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Air Force. The government is expected to choose a winner later this summer to continue development work on its motor, leading to a flight demonstration by 2008.