A University of Queensland team is gearing up for Tuesday`s historic attempt to flight test the supersonic combustion process used in a scramjet for the first time in the world.
The University`s Centre for Hypersonics is leading the international project to launch two Terrier Orion Mk70 rockets fitted with hypersonic air-breathing engine (scramjet) engines at the Woomera Prohibited Area, 500km north of Adelaide, on July 30 at approximately 11am to1pm local time, 11.30am-1.30pm AEST.
Scramjets are air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engines. While scramjets do raise the possibility of Sydney to London flights in two hours, they are set to revolutionise the launch of small space payloads, such as communications satellites, by substantially lowering costs. They have the added benefit that they do not even have to carry most of their propellant as they use oxygen from the atmosphere.
The aim of the HyShot program is to provide the world’s first in-flight tests of scramjet technology, validating experiments held in ground test facilities.
The program involves taking the scramjet engine to a design speed of Mach 7.6 by a Terrier Orion rocket. The rocket and payload will reach an altitude of 314km before the rocket is configured to fly in a new trajectory pointing the payload back down to earth. The flight experiment will take place within only the last few seconds of the flight, lasting almost 10 minutes. The rocket is intended to impact 371km downrange of the launch site.
The rockets and scramjet have been staged and are now on the launchpad ready for the July 29 rehearsal. The rocket has been named “Hans” in honour of HyShot chief engineer Dr Hans Alesi, currently working as a senior stress engineer for Boeing in Seattle on the Wedgetail early warning radar system for the Australian airforce. Last year’s first rocket was named “Hilary” in honour of HyShot program team leader Dr Allan Paull’s wife.
Dr Paull said all preparations were on track and the team was looking forward to a successful launch.
With Woomera’s overnight temperatures at 2 to 4 degrees Centigrade, the rockets are being covered with carpet underlay at night to keep them warm above 7 degrees Centigrade in preparation for the launch.
The payload has been fitted with a secret weapon to help its location after the launch – a tiny tracking device routinely used to track an Australian marsupial, the echidna, a type of spiny ant-eater. The device was supplied by zoologists led by UQ echidna, kangaroo crocodile, frog and camel researcher Professor Gordon Grigg. The Grigg team found the first rocket and payload from last year’s unsuccessful test attempt in February this year north of Woomera. During August Professor Grigg will conduct the 25th annual kangaroo survey of the South Australian pastoral zone – the world’s longest running aerial fauna survey.
The launch is being commanded by ARDU (Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Australian Defence) at Woomera. ARDU is providing the expertise to run the complex program as well as the personnel to operate equipment vital to the campaign’s success. In addition, DCSW (Defence Corporate Support, Woomera) who control the Woomera range, have also provided opportunities to liaise with Aboriginal and pastoral interests and have provided much needed support with information for using the range.
The HyShot project uses the expertise and financial support of consortium partners such as Astrotech Space Operations, DTI and GASL, QinetiQ, NASA Langley Research Center, The DSTO (Defence Science and Technology, Organisation), Seoul National University, the DLR (German Aerospace Center), NAL (National Aerospace lab. Japan), AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory, USA), and Australian Space Research Institute (ASRI), Insitute of Engineers Australia (IEAust), UniQuest, Australian Department of Defence. Australian firms, Alesi Technologies, NQEA, AECA, Luxfer Australia and Jet Air Cargo, and BAE Systems Australia are also involved.
Funding has also been secured from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the Australian Research Council and assistance and support from QinetiQ Ltd. in the UK.
Media access to the launch will be 3.5km away at Wild Dog Creek due to safety considerations but RAAF 92 Wing personnel will provide pool vision and stills shortly after the launch. Large file digital stills will also be taken by UQ photographer Chris Stacey and will be posted to the HyShot image gallery (address below) shortly after the launch. Within an hour of the launch, key media contacts from UQ and ARDU will be available for interview at the Woomera Instrumented Building.
Media contacts:
UQ Communications - Jan King, telephone 0408 731 764, Peter McCutcheon, telephone 07 3365 1088
Defence - Steve Dunning, A/Regional Manager Public Affairs-South Australia, 0417 887 040.
