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This is the Copenhagen Suborbitals status page. It is used by the crew to send work related messages.
HATV
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2009-01-03
Yesterday, Peter, Christoffer and I finished the production and casting of both HATV-nozles. We are also close to having the second HATV-grain done. Two sets of injectors where produced. Plans where done on launch site options and launch tower construction and shipping..
HATV
by Peter, 2008-12-29
The first HATV fuel grain is now finished and has been inspected and found to be in fine shape. Number two has begun casting. Work on nozzle graphite steel jacket and motor casing stated today. Two units, HATV 01 and HATV 02 are build in parallel.
SC
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-12-04
We are working hard on the development of the space craft. The main shell has now been frozen for boiler plate production, and laser cutting files has been created for the top and buttom cone parts. Next step is to move the main shell body from the storage facility to the production lab, laser cutting and building the rig for the entire space craft production to take place.
von Braun legacy
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-12-04
Yesterday, and friend of mine from Johnson Space Center, sent me an image of an old space shuttle project by von Braun (from the 50ies). It depicts a man inside a descent rocket as part of its escape system. Take a look here: http://bp3.blogger.com/_sGYULzoQCgA/R0ELJmwWZuI/AAAAAAAABK8/66P7GWJ8QJo/s1600-h/1950s-von-Braun-capsule-pal.jpg .Its good to know von Braun made the same seating arrangement as we are doing.. Again, what else can you do in such a small space..?
Space craft design
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-11-19
The last month design-iterations on the space craft, have been very productive. From the initial design, we have managed to cut down main body/structure mass about 50% and significantly decrease production and operation complexity. The iterations included main structure production, egress/ingress procedures, seating systems, parachute seperation systems and automatic/manual-override space craft operation systems.
HATV propellant casting
by Peter, 2008-11-19
The first HATV booster is now under construction and the first casting of propellant ( fuel ) happened tonight. The 25 kg grain compares to the 7 kg grain of XLR-2 - where only 5 kg were defacto fuel - the rest a safety margin layer to prevent burn through. The fully loaded HATV booster weighs some 160 kg.
Next step - HATV-booster
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-11-17
Tonight, Christoffer, Peter and I moved the XLR2-booster from the test-site to Halfmachine, to disassemble and evaluate. After some discussion, we found that all issues related to corrections on the XLR2-booster would either not be present in the HATV-booster configuration or could not be directly transfered to HATV. This led us to conclude that we could move one step ahead and XLR-2 is now retired. Next step will be to create the first HATV-booster for testing.
XLR-2 test complete
by Peter, 2008-11-16
Today the XLR-2 was test run again. The engine burned for its nominal time, and electronic measurements of its pressures was recorded from the N20 tank, and in the top and botton of the combustion chamber. We saw again some combution instablity, and observed that this is directly linked to the injector pressure drop. One more test is planned in the near future to get to the botton of the instability isue. Secondery, the aft o-ring seal leaked. Modifikations on instrumentation and N20 valve was sucsesfully validated.
XLR2 test curves
by Thomas Scherrer, 2008-11-16
Hello Team members and other interested rocket lovers:
in my shared folder I have placed pictures $ videos from my own cam,
and also test files from the two logger systems:
system A (the DZL system got all 4 sensors and performed fine)
system B (mine, crashed after about 2sec due to vibrations or the audio pressure, sensor 0 the force sensor failed due to unknown)
look at the screenshots or the excel files for data.
xlr-216nov-a-not-filtered.xls
original data, not scaled not filtered.
xlr-216nov-a-filtered.xls
filtered and scaled, force is x 10 in kg,
all 3 pressure sensors are in bar
XLR2b-1sec-zoomed.xls
unfiltered raw data from system B
zoomed to first 1 sec, show the fast startup,
and the 50Hz burner oscillations.
(the sample time for both loggers are 10mS)
other notes: the audio sound level meter located 10m away
and about 45 deg out of the output,
maxed out at 130dBa constantly !! that is way over 150dBa at 1m,
I actually expect MUCH more, so at the next test I expect t
forgot the link
by Thomas Scherrer, 2008-11-16
LINK:
in my shared folder
www.webx.dk/shared/
the rest of the text cropped off:
that is way over 150dBa at 1m,
I actually expect MUCH more, so at the next test I expect to locate this meter much further away to avoid maxing it out.
see the video I took at safe distance, see how big a chock I got when the engine fired !! wow this thing kicks big time !
T-14 hours for static test
by Peter, 2008-11-15
All work is done, XLR-2 is only waiting for oxydizer loading, and
we are ready for the second test of this engine - to validate our hybrid motor design. Tonight piping for three pressure transducers have been finish.
XLR-2 Ready for ignition
by Peter, 2008-11-07
The XLR-2 rocket is now pressure tested, refueled, checked, repainted, resealed and ready for ignition.
Space Craft production has begun
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-11-06
Today, Peter, Christoffer and I created the cylinders for the main body of the space craft (Ø608). Next step will be to transport these to our second production facility and weld these together and begin outfitting/seating protoyping and top-dome-module and buttom parachute compartments.
We also discussed issues related to drop tests, camera-boom-arm/parachute conflicts and much more.
2nd booster test prep
by Peter, 2008-11-05
Preparations for the second XLR-2 static test is underway at
M/S Halfmachine. The new oxydizer valve is in place and a decision to remove one boltet connection - thus simplyfying the engine setup, has been implimented.
Injector holes - 30 x 3.1 mm was drilled today in two rings with a 30 deg impingement angle. The fifteen pairs of oxydizer holes makes up a 60 mm diameter ring
of oxydizer spray on top of the 140 mm diamater fuel grain top. We hope for a longer, more stable, #2 burn.
New injector machined
by Peter, 2008-10-30
A new injector was machined today, along with molds on the top seal of the XLR-2 motor to accomodate it. The new injector will have two rows of 30 deg impinging oxydizer holes and is designed to dampen combustion oscilations.
Valves
by peter, 2008-10-29
XLR-2:
Today a new PN 63 main oxydizervalve was purchased from Klinger.
Boilerplate 001
Also a 1/2 inch PN500 ball valve was obtained intended for experiments with explosive parachute deployment and seperation - we plan to use 200 bar air pressure via big hole valve for seperation - preffered over pyrotechnic solutions.
Propellant casting
by peter , 2008-10-29
The propellant casting in the motor case is now completet, and the nozzle has be mounted and sealed.
The injector top part wil undergo modifications with improwed injector before test two.
Spacecraft boiler plate
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-10-28
Today we got around most of the issues related to the construction of the space craft boiler plate. We will begin the actual constrution in about a week or so and redesign it ad hoc. Also, the production of 1 drogue parachute and the 3 main parachutes will begin soon.
Thumbs up!
by Flemming Rasmussen, 2008-10-27
Hej Peter & Kristian
I den grad "thumbs up" for jeres gå på mod og opfindergen ! ! ! - modsat nogle af de mange skeptikere på den anden debat, synes jeg faktisk, det virker som om, I har temmeligt meget styr på termer og problematikker inden for området.
Jeg fik en gang tilbudt en tur af dig i Kraka, i forbindelse med "dykningens dag" på Holmen, men fik aldrig fulgt op på det - det er jeg glad for nu, for jeg venter blot og bytter turen til en astronaut oplevelse i stedet for ;o))
mvh Flemming
XLR-2 refurbished for new test
by peter , 2008-10-27
Today october 27
XLR-2 rocket parts were transportet today form the test site to the workshop on MS Halfmachine. After inspection, propellant and ablative coatings have now been recasted into the nozzle end and motor case. One or two more castings will be needed to finish the motorcase.
The post burn inspection showed exellent uniform combustion of the seven port grains. The regresion rate was slightly higher at the injector compared to the nozzle end, and the center hole shows slightly higher regression then the outbord six other holes. The 33 mm nozzle throat is eroded smoothly to 34 mm, all within expected values.
The opper o-ring seal shows some erosion, and some combustion has occured in the upper three centimeters of the outside of the grain, explaning the hotspot on the motorcase. This was expected since some debonding was observed when the grain was casted.
The new cast is simple, since only 50 % of the fuel mass needs to be recasted.
My Hat's Off to You!
by creator, 2008-10-25
Hey, my hat is off to you guys! You rock!
Godspeed, you are now officially part of my collection of heroes, alongside Burt Rutan and Mike Melvill.
I'll also throw my hat into the ring as a volunteer astronaut, in case you come up short.... :) http://flyinghouse.com
Volunteer Astronaut
by Chris, 2008-10-24
If you can find anyone crazy enough to strap into a tiny rocket, I'll go into space. But I'll need an in-flight movie and a packet of peanuts. ;) lol.
Amen.
by anassband, 2008-10-24
Good for you guys. I envy your gumption, and would love to try it someday.
Cheers!
Sådan
by Anders L, 2008-10-24
Det lyder helt vildt fedt. Det er godt, at der er nogle i danmark, der har mod til at tænke stort.
Oppskytning
by Habitat Hermit, 2008-10-23
Hvor i Sør-Norge skal dere ha den ene oppskytningen? Håper dere legger ut tid og sted når det nærmer seg ^_^
Lykke til videre!
Re-entry
by Kristian, 2008-10-23
If you check our campaign-site, you will see a double parachute system.
re-entry?
by Jamie, 2008-10-23
Ummmm...I don't see a parachute - how are you getting home or is there another destination?
About acceleration & temperature
by Nikolay, 2008-10-23
Great project! But what about G-loads during re-entry? Did you calculate G through all trajectory?
And why do you plan to use plexiglas? It seems to me nosecone will get very hot during start and re-entry so one should use quartz glass.
Good luck!
Success
by Mathias Vejerslev, 2008-10-21
Congratulations on a succesful test guys. You're halfway there! Peter, when are you going to send me to astronaut school?
CONGRATULATIONS!
by Andreas P. Bergweiler, 2008-10-21
Amazing. We are astonished! Marvellous!
Our congratulations to this engine test. This is the first step to Earth Orbit, and we are sure that this was not the last step into space for your project. We are pressing thumbs and still hoping, that the HATV-Project will follow on.
Per aspera ad astra,
Andreas P. Bergweiler
Managing Director and Founder of Space Travellers (www.space-travellers.com)
good luck
by Emile, 2008-10-19
I just see today is your test.
Good luck! I will follow the project with great interest.
Emile, The Netherlands
www.submachine.eu
Goodluck
by Tom de Bree, 2008-10-19
Hello guys,
I just want to wish u luck with the booster test today.
Booster test success
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-10-19
Today we fired our hybrid rocket booster engine in Copenhagen. It was a huge success and it worked very well.
We did observe some hotspots related to uncontrolled interior epoxy resin burning as well as some chucking of the engine. Next step will be to make adjustments and perform another test.
Ready to go T-1 day
by Kristian, 2008-10-18
Yesterday we tested the newly installed actuator arm for the oxydizer valve. It´s worked just fine. Final adjustments where made and its seems like we are ready for the test tomorrow.
See the valve test here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GY0iVPq5g4
Tripods
by Jev, 2008-10-18
Ill bring 2 ektra tripods
Jev
Hydrostatic test complete
by Peter, 2008-10-15
Today the oxydizer tank was tested to 75 bars pressure. The tank passed the test, no leaks or deformations was observed. To verify that the oxydizer valve would open when exposed to a high pressure media this was also tested - and failed. It was then attempted to run it not at 6 bars, but at its max rated pressure of 15 bars, with no improvement. The actuator is simply not powerfull enough - and options including a scrub of the sunday test was considered. At 1750 pm today the problem remained unsolved.
New oxydizer valve actuator instaled, test avaiting.
by Peter, 2008-10-15
A new oxydizer pneumatic actuator was instaled at 2100 pm. The original with a length of 60 mm and a diameter of 20 mm has been replaced with a new one, with a length of 120 mm and diameter 40 mm. This increases the opening torgue with a factor of 8 times. Test was done at 8 bars ox tank pressure, with a opening time of 450 msec, considered exelent - and test at flight pressure 52 bars are due thursday. After this little count down crisis we are back and counting...
Pyrotec done
by Kristian, 2008-10-14
Today we tested the pyrotecnic starter for the test booster. The pyrotec burns for 20 seconds. It did well inside the booster, during the test.
Test stand setup
by peter, 2008-10-12
Today sunday 12th, the concrete bloks for the teststand was moved into position. We will do the drilling and afstening work on the 14th, and so far we are looking good for the sunday test.
integration complete
by peter, 2008-10-10
In preparation for the sunday 19th octborber stattic test the XLR-2 testmotor has now been mated with the external tank, and its suppertframe.
Sunday t - 7 days, we will work to arrange the testsite with concrete bloks and a bunker for the test crew.
/p
100% addicted
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-10-10
Thanks for the fantastic coorperation so far. Our booster is beautiful. I cant wait for us to do the boiler plate for the final rocket and SC for drop tests and internal seat integration. Im ready to take all days next weeks for the site work and final preperation.
Update loadcell / Data
by peter, 2008-10-09
DZL has done work on the loadcell / datalogger setup today on Halfmachine. Status is the loadcell is alive, and so is a 12 bit sampling system that can run on the Nautilus PC. This means we may save the trip to Ringsted, if Christian Ravn can meet DZL before the test to transfer knowhow on how to operate this setup.
We "launch" at 1200
by KvB, 2008-10-08
Just so everone knows; We aim to fire the engine at 1200 sharp, on the 19th. Peter, will you get the final spray cans for tomorrow (thursday), so I can finish the paint job (2X WHITE, 2XRED, 1XZINK). Thanks
Status T- 11 days
by peter , 2008-10-07
On the test stand we are now down to paintjobs and make up.
However the to do list holds this:
1. Prep of pyrotec devices / engine sequencer
2. Setting up test area - concrete bloks to be moved in place.
3. Hydrostatic test of oxydizer tank to 75 bars
4. Followed by water spray test same setup,
5. Calibration of load cell. May Take place on launch day early.
Can´t wait
by Christoffer, 2008-10-07
Do I have to say that I can´t wait until the 19th. Looking forward.
Så er tagwall klar til brug
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-10-06
Hej Peter,
Så har du et sted at poste ditten og datten. Der kommer nok en del justeringen med tiden, men databaseindholdet gemmes...
Static test
by Peter, 2008-10-06
Static test of the XLR-2 - with an anticipated thrust in excess of 3.0 kN will take place on Refshaleøen from 0900 at oct. 19.
However we must do prep for the test on the friday before, so perhaps we can have science night out there.
Also the datalogger must be picked up at christians place in ringsted.
Extra tripods for cameras
by Kristian von Bengtson, 2008-10-06
Regarding the booster test on oct 19.
I guess we already have a lot of tripods for the many cameras, but I could use two extra. One for a regular cam, and one for our second high speed camera. Peter, please pass this message on.
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