HyShot™ IV payload located

A PC9 prop jet spotter plane yesterday found the HyShot™ IV payload and 2nd stage rocket after only 20 minutes of searching following the conduct of an experimental test flight at Woomera, 500km north of Adelaide yesterday.

The flight experiment was a commission from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to The University of Queensland and was the second of two flights to test scramjet technology. It was designed to benefit the development of future space transportation systems.

The first flight HyShot™ III, held on March 25, tested a scramjet configuration developed by British firm, QinetiQ. Data has been received from this flight and combustion confirmed from early telemetry.

HyShot™ program leader Professor Allan Paull said HyShot™ IV had enjoyed a successful liftoff and data had been received along the way, but researchers were awaiting further information to undertake their analyses.

Media: Further information: Jan King UQ Communications + 61 408 728 810 (Woomera range) or +61 413 601 248 (Woomera township), j.king@uq.edu.au

To view and download launch images: http://www.uq.edu.au/news/press/press-gallery.php
To view video footage of the liftoff:
www.omc.uq.edu.au/video/hyshot/hyshot4.mov
www.omc.uq.edu.au/video/hyshot/liftoff.mov www.omc.uq.edu.au/video/hyshot/HyShot3.mov