ocean launch solution for experimental rockets
- Paper number
IAC-19,D2,2,4,x53785
- Author
Mr. Takuma Mori, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Yo Kawabata, Japan, Chiba Institute of Technology
- Coauthor
Mr. Kazunari Onagano, Japan, Chiba Institute of Technology
- Coauthor
Mr. Shintaro Hatano, Japan, Chiba Institute of Technology
- Coauthor
Mr. Keisuke Maeda, Japan, Chiba Institute of Technology
- Coauthor
Dr. Yutaka Wada, Japan, Chiba Institute of Technology
- Coauthor
Prof. Takafumi Matsui, Japan, Chiba Institute of Technology
- Year
2019
- Abstract
There are only a few opportunities to lunch academic rocket in Japan, although the demand for launch opportunity is significantly increasing. To resolve this issue, ASTROCEAN Co., Ltd. (ASTROCEAN) is providing ocean launch solution. As a beginning of this project, Planetary Exploration Research Center from Chiba Institute of Technology (PERC/CIT) and ASTROCEAN had signed a contract to launch sounding rocket from the ocean in 2020. Problems are as follows. Academic rocket and experimental rocket, such as a demo rocket for startups, have limited launch opportunity due to Japanese regulation and geographic condition. Those rocketeers launch their vehicle from restricted location. Furthermore, a launch should be within a limited window permitted by existing stakeholders such as locals, farmers, fishers, planes and ships. Owning a private launch site is even more difficult, therefore, innovation is delayed. The ocean launch will become one of the solutions to resolve this issue. To evaluate the influence of waves on floating launcher, first experimental launch had accomplished with PERC on 2nd March 2019 at 500 meters away from the coat of Onjuku town, Chiba prefecture in Japan. 1.7m height hybrid rocket launched from the floating launcher, and it reached about 250m apogee. As a result, it has been proofed that low-cost floating launcher can launch rockets, however, ocean waves significantly influence launcher. Therefore, either float or launcher structure should be rigid to stand for wave influence. In addition, the project had been covered in reputable Japanese media. Our business model is as follows. To lease floating launcher to the users who cannot find launch opportunity. Sponsorship by brands as we proofed ocean launch would be covered by media with quite huge influence to broadcast them in Japanese space industries.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)