HyImpulse has received its first flight license from the Civil Aviation Authority for its sounding rocket, which will be launched from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, Scotland later this year.
Consecutive launches of the sounding rocket, which will be the largest hybrid rocket ever launched vertically from the UK are planned. The rocket’s maiden launch is planned to commence from Australia this April.
Germany-based HyImpulse is developing an orbital Small Launcher (SL1), which is powered by a hybrid propulsion system to launch small satellites and spacecrafts of up to 500kg to a 500 km low earth orbit.
Licensing from the CAA was key to this stage of the company’s space programme and comes after a rigorous testing campaign supported by metrology experts at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) with funding from the UK Government. NMIS is operated by the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.
During the testing phase, HyImpulse worked with NMIS to develop a methodology to capture detailed dimensional measurement data to check the engine’s safety and performance before and after a series of trial horizontal tests on land at Scatsta Airport. The data collected was verified against existing virtual simulations.
Konstantin Tomilin, chief operating officer at HyImpulse said, “With the latest round of testing, we are another step closer to launching the rocket.
“The hybrid system provides a more cost-effective and efficient way to launch payloads into space and will be a game changer in getting small satellites into orbit. Our propulsion system is poised to push the boundaries of hybrid rocket technology and we look forward to seeing the impact this new technology will have on the industry as a whole.”
As well as the challenges of testing in a remote island location, the size of HyImpluse’s five-metre engine made it impossible for conventional metrology scanners to be used for these critical tests. Instead, NMIS’s experts developed a methodology using handheld, high-accuracy 3D scanners, and combined this with advanced analysis tools to complete the checks.
Over two weeks, 20 sets of internal and external measurements from several sections of the hybrid engine were taken, as well as one scan of the whole rocket. NMIS also provided training and software to support HyImpulse with interpreting complex data and analysing the scan results.
Hybrid rocket engines use a combination of both liquid and solid propellants, offering the simplicity and safety of solid rockets combined with the controllability of liquid rockets. This makes them easier to handle and store, and they have fewer parts than traditional engines. Hybrid rockets also use non-toxic fuels with lower emissions, making them more sustainable.
Joshua Walker, a R&D engineer at NMIS said, “The specialized equipment and expertise that NMIS was able to offer HyImpulse that has enabled them to take another step closer to getting into space. It’s been fantastic to work with HyImpulse, and we look forward to seeing the rocket launched into space as SaxaVord nears completion.”
