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BOOSTERS

Two rocket booster vehicles are undergoing development: HATV and HEAT. The pre-HATV booster is called XLR-2 and has already been constructed and testet.
Both boosters systems will be hybrid rockets using epoxy as solid propellant.
More general info on hybrid booster rockets here

HATV BOOSTER

The Hybrid Atmospheric Test Vehicle or HATV, is a 1/3 scale rocket with a 200 mm diameter tube, that will function as a basic flight test model. The oxydizer for the HATV will be nitrous oxide. This rocket is currently being constructed and a minor hold-down booster were tested two times, with succes, in October and November of 2008.

The HATV booster is set to be from either Andoya Rocket Rages in Norway or from Keflavic Nato base on Iceland.

PRE-HATV BOOSTER (XLR-2)


De Laval nozzle for the HATV in steel and graphite

Epoxy grain for the HATV



The test booster (XLR-2) for the HATV rocket


After the booster test. Kristian, Peter and Christoffer.



Copenhagen Suborbitals (XLR-2) hybrid rocket test, Oct 19th 2008. Photo Sonny W.



Peter Madsen and Kristian von Bengtson shakes hands after finishing the booster.


HATV BOOSTER (XLR-2) VIDEO


XLR-2 hybrid rocket motor test from Sonny W. on Vimeo.


XLR-2 second static test from Sonny W. on Vimeo.

HEAT BOOSTER

The Hybrid Exo Atmospheric Transporter or HEAT, is a real scale rocket with a 608 mm diameter tube that will function as the final test rocket and carrier of the one person spacecraft. The oxydizer for the HATV will be liquid oxygen (LOX). The HEAT booster will finally serve as the transportation vehicle for the man rated spacecraft.

The HEAT booster will burn for about 60 seconds, providing 40kN of thrust, resulting in less than 3-g making the trip feasible for humans to endure.

Currently, the HEAT booster is set to be launched from the state of Iceland. We have established contact the Icelandic Government and are trying to find the best spot for launch and recovery.



The HEAT booster
Brown=epoxy grain, Red=LOX, Blue=spacecraft

BOOSTER CONTROL AND GUIDANCE

We are currently looking into some "basic" guidance control in order to prevent gravity turn and to minimize the touchdown are. Otherwise, the system is very basic and will rely completely on the laws of aerodynamics. By having a large launching tower, currently being developed, the rocket will be guided by passive rails until it have sufficient velocity to reach its apogee using only static fins.

DESCENT AND RECOVERY

Before the spacecraft goes into a zero gravity parabola, the booster system will be jettisoned. After a while of atmosperic re-enty, the spacecraft will be slowered by a drogue parachute and then 3 main parachutes. Finally the spacecraft will touchdown in water.
Copenhagen Suborbitals 2009