Styx: a student's experience on airborne rocket systems

Paper number

IAC-14,D1,5,9,x21580

Author

Mr. Bertrand Bocquet, ESTACA, France

Coauthor

Mr. Maxime Creuzot, ESTACA, France

Year

2014

Abstract

Our aim is to launch a small rocket by using a radio-controlled airplane. Such launches
enable the rocket itself to reach a higher altitude with a greater useful load. Of course this
will also release the rocket from using a launching ramp, a very constraining ground
installation.

This demonstrator will illustrate at a small scale the strong concepts of airborne
rocket launching, such as reusability. The flight of our prototype including the launch of the
rocket is planned during summer 2014.

Our project is based around two main components: a radio-controlled airplane called
“Cyrano” and the rocket called “Reflex”.

Cyrano is a lengthened “Super Bison” with a retention/dropping system designed for
small rockets.

Reflex is 1m10 length, 65mm diameter and weights 2kg, includes its own control of its
power unit. This rocket also disposes of a parachute in order to land safely after its flight.

The technological key of the project is the retention/dropping system. It is the
interface between the carrier and the rocket. The aim of this interface is to be adaptable to
multiple carriers-rockets pairs.

Right now, our ground tests is almost completed and we will carry on to the flight
tests soon. Our tests policy consists in testing and validating the different components
independently on the ground before proceeding to a flight test.

First we check all the vital parts (ability to fly safely), then the mission-related parts
(retention/dropping system). The complete check-list has been designed in order to be as
short as possible and to deal with possible failures cases. We expect our tests flights to teach
us more about the safety procedures to respect and the other specific constraints that can be
considered.

Periodically checking the demonstrator and its functions is vital, because it allows us
to measure our progress and the behavior of the system as a whole. We then analyze the
results and whether the test positive or not, there is always something to learn. The
experience that we gain will lead to a report, summarizing the knowledge and improvements
that can be made.

Abstract document

IAC-14,D1,5,9,x21580.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-14,D1,5,9,x21580.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.