HyEnD has successfully conducted the Static Hot Fire Test of the Compass Demonstrator Rocket. Engine, tank, fluid system and ground support equipment were tested together. The test has shown that remote tanking and launching of the rocket works safely and reliably - we are looking forward to the launch.
HyEnD has successfully tested its HyLIGHT 10kN rocket engine for the first time! The test was conducted at the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen.This marks a big milestone in our DLR STERN participation. In the next few months, we will subsequently increase the operation time and efficiency of the engine.
HyEnD is proud to announce that the N2ORTH propulsion system was successfully qualified in a hot fire test for a propellant throughput of more than 100 kg! This marks an important milestone for the project, as we now have a flight-worthy propulsion system for the launch. During the test, the rocket tank was operated in a blow-down set up together with the fluid system and engine of the rocket. The ground support system of the rocket was used in order to fill the rocket's tank with nitrous oxide and helium. The test included the main operation phase of the engine and also the gas blow down after the depletion of liquid oxidizer, resulting in an overall hot fire duration of more than 50s. In the upcoming weeks, the team will prepare another test with increased propellant mass in order to unlock the full potential of N2ORTH.
We are happy to share a small teaser for the upcoming reveal and launch of our rocket N2ORTH! In the last three years, the team worked hard to make this rocket a reality. The rocket now is almost ready to launch, with only a few last tests and the assembly ongoing. The launch from Esrange is planned for the first half of 2023. As for the target altitude, we plan to break our own record for student-built hybrids (32.3 km) but N2ORTH is a lot more capable. The target altitude is still subject to change and will be chosen in accordance to our trajectory simulations, safety regulations at Esrange and weather conditions. Stay tuned for more details!
Dec 14, 2022HyEnD has successfully conducted its final system test on Thursday, 8th December! The test included the oxidizer loading procedure using the Ground Support Equipment as well as a hot fire with the hybrid engine and rocket’s fluid system components.During the oxidizer loading procedure, temperatures and pressures were measured across multiple parts of the Ground Support Equipment and 160 L oxidizer tank. We are happy to report that the test showed a high level of precision during the loading procedure, as we were able to precisely set the amount of oxidizer as well as temperature and pressure conditions in the tank.The hot fire of the propulsion system showed stable and efficient combustion throughout the operation time. With a peak thrust of more than 15 kN and a total impulse of 255 kNs at sea level, we are confident that the propulsion system is capable of pushing N2ORTH to the frontier of space. The in-flight impulse of this configuration will be even higher since effects like flow separation will occur later in the operation time due to lower ambient pressure at higher altitudes. Moreover, the test showed good accordance to the simulation carried out in advance. This is especially important to ensure a safe flight trajectory of the rocket.As this was our final hot fire within the scope of the STERN 2 project, we would like to thank the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion for their fantastic support during the last years. Since September 2020, more than 60 hot fires were conducted, and we learned a lot! We are now fully focused on the final production and assembly steps and are looking forward to our launch campaign in April 2023.
Also from Esrange: the first of two N2ORTH rockets, part of the HyEnd project of the University of Stuttgart, just took off from Esrange at 09:05:00 UTC. Info about the project: https://hyend.de/Launch campaign updates: https://hyend.de/index.php/category/n2orth-launch-campaign/SSC webcast (T-0 at 01:00:19):
Jun 28, 2023The video was captured with GoPro HERO 8 action cameras in 4K with 60fps located in the avionics section filming sidewards. The rocket features four of these cameras so that a 360° panorama view is possible. Stay tuned for the results of the post-flight analysis in the coming weeks.
A few weeks ago, we manufactured four fuel grains to evaluate a potential new solid propellant. These grains are based on the propellant "TM-78," developed by chemist Dr. Siegfried Oeckl, and have been improved in terms of pourability, safety, and regression for larger sustainer engines. Notable modifications include a higher binder ratio, larger sodium nitrate particle size, and the addition of a flexibilizer to prevent propellant cracking. Each grain is composed of 500 grams of the new TM-78HP propellant and will be tested in a small characterization motor at the MPA (Materials Testing Institute) of the University of Stuttgart. Stay tuned for part 2🔥
This small solid rocket motor is used to characterize new solid propellants. Using the measured pressure of multiple burns with different throat sizes, one can determine the a and n parameters and thus the regression rate.The assembly starts by mounting the nozzle flange on the casing. Afterwards the nozzle assembly and propellant grain are inserted. Next, the pertinax bulkhead and ignitor can be placed, special attention is given to the cable as it has to be shorted at all times. Lastly the assembly is finished by screwing on the bulkhead.This assembly, except for the fuel grain can be reused at least two times, some parts more than 10 times. This allows for quick and easy testing of multiple grains.
This solid rocket motor was fired to evaluate a newly developed solid fuel at MPA University of Stuttgart. This is one of four tests performed in April. As it is only for fuel evaluation, it doesn't have a proper diverging section, therefore resulting in a short and stubby exhaust.
Dec 9, 2024In 2024, HyEnD achieved a major milestone by successfully testing our 550N battleship engine! Fueled by nitrous oxide and ethanol, the engine generates approximately 550N of thrust. This test focused on validating the ignition sequence, paving the way for larger and longer-duration tests in the future.We would like to thank our supporters and sponsors - this success wouldn’t have been possible without you!!
