University of Queensland scientists believe from preliminary data that the HyShot™ III experiment was activated on March 25 and combustion occurred during the experiment.
This follows the launch of a $2 million scramjet experiment at Woomera, 500km north of Adelaide, South Australia on Saturday, March 25.
The University of Queensland-led HyShot™ III experiment used a scramjet engine developed by UK company, QinetiQ. The scramjet was attached to a Terrier-Orion rocket combination and aimed to fly at an estimated Mach 8 (or about 8000km/hr).
HyShot team member Associate Professor Michael Smart said today the preliminary data indicated the scramjet experiment came on at the correct altitude.
“The vehicle had a higher angle of attack than planned. However, the engine still functioned,” he said.
“The hydrogen fuel combusted like mad according to the data.
“We’re still doing in-depth analysis to determine the efficiency of combustion and confirm the presence of supersonic combustion.”
Dr Smart said combustion occurred at an altitude of approximately 30 km and there was a good five seconds of data.
“The payload survived until 6km altitude when the fins broke off."
“It was hoped the payload would go into a flat spin and possibly land flat on the ground, rather than spear into the ground, so it would be easier to retrieve.”
A recovery team took to the air today to search again for the HyShot™ III payload some 400km down range. HyShot™ team members Mark Bateup and Myles Frost assisted pilot Warren Canning in the search.
All systems are go for the HyShot™ IV experiment to proceed at the Woomera test range at about 1pm tomorrow Thursday, March 30 central daylight time.
This flight experiment is a commission from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to The University of Queensland. The experiment is designed to benefit the development of future space transportation systems. It is hoped the HyShot™ IV program will provide more extensive scramjet pressure and temperature measurements than previous flights.
Media: Further information:
UQ: Jan King UQ Communications + 61 408 728 810 (Woomera range) or +61 413 601 248 (Woomera township), j.king@uq.edu.au
QinetiQ: Christopher Moseley, QinetiQ Press Office, +44 (0) 1252 395559, cgmoseley@qinetiq.com
JAXA: Public Affairs Section, General Services Division, Institute of Aerospace Technology, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
7-44-1 Jindaiji Higashi-machi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo, 182-8522
To view and download launch images: https://www.uq.edu.au/news/press/press-gallery.php
To view video footage of the liftoff:
www.omc.uq.edu.au/video/hyshot/liftoff.mov
www.omc.uq.edu.au/video/hyshot/HyShot3.mov
