Author Topic: RocketStar (Read 9602 times)

Steven Pietrobon · « **on:** 01/19/2019 02:45 am »

With their announcement of the their first surborbital launch on 7 February at 9 am EST from Cape Canaveral, this one seems pretty well advanced. Here's the link to their website, choosing the unusual nyc (New York City) for their domain name type.

http://www.rocketstar.nyc

twitter.com/RocketStarSpace/status/1086311380767162369

It's official! Next stop: Space! Rocket: Cowbell Engine: Proprietary aerospike Planned altitude: 50 Miles Launch location: Barge launch, off Cape Canaveral

Their satellite launch vehicle is called Starlord with 300 kg to LEO and 150 kg to GEO according to their web site (they might mean 150 kg to GTO). Attached is their payload users guide. They are using pressure fed methalox with a 12 nozzle aerospike engine on the first stage. First and second stage thrust are 267 kN and 22 kN, respectively. Vehicle is 2.3 m diameter and 27.4 m long. They plan to use either LC-46 or an ocean going launch platform. Starlord payload users guide attached.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #1 on:** 01/19/2019 02:53 am »

Here's an enhanced version of what is probably their suborbital vehicle. This vehicle has eight nozzles which show an unusual curved shape. The photo looks to be a photoshop, perhaps with LC-46 in the background. The vehicle is held by two giant carbon fibre clamps. At the top of the vehicle there looks to be a NASA logo.

Gliderflyer · « **Reply #2 on:** 01/19/2019 03:41 am »

Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 01/19/2019 02:53 am

Here's an enhanced version of what is probably their suborbital vehicle. This vehicle has eight nozzles which show an unusual curved shape. The photo looks to be a photoshop, perhaps with LC-46 in the background. The vehicle is held by two giant carbon fibre clamps. At the top of the vehicle there looks to be a NASA logo.

I'm pretty sure the clamps are taken from an image of Rocket Lab's pad, and the aerospike is a heavily distorted image of Firefly's aerospike render. I'm going to try to find the original images.

EDIT: Definitely Rocket Lab's launch clamps: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/Rocket-Lab-D800E-ABG8786.jpg

EDIT 2: Hard to tell from the distortions, but I think this is the aerospike picture.

ringsider · « **Reply #3 on:** 01/19/2019 05:39 am »

Their Payload Users Guide is largely a cut and paste of the old Firefly Alpha PUG:-

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33757.msg1405514.msg#1405514

Compare the section on payload environments, for example.

Kryten · « **Reply #4 on:** 01/19/2019 07:22 am »

Quote from: ringsider on 01/19/2019 05:39 am

Their Payload Users Guide is largely a cut and paste of the old Firefly Alpha PUG:-

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33757.msg1405514.msg#1405514

Compare the section on payload environments, for example.

Wow, they even copied the figures wholesale.

TrevorMonty · « **Reply #5 on:** 01/19/2019 03:29 pm »

Tom Markusic owner of Firefly put this aerospike design in to hard basket and switched to conventional RP1 engine.
I wonder if people behind Rocketstar are from Firefly original development team

DasBlinkenlight · « **Reply #6 on:** 01/19/2019 03:52 pm »

Confidence is not inspired when their gallery page shows mainly model rocket launches... Not what I would look for in a commercial launch company.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #7 on:** 01/20/2019 05:34 am »

Quote from: Gliderflyer on 01/19/2019 03:41 am

EDIT 2: Hard to tell from the distortions, but I think this is the aerospike picture.

This picture has 12 nozzles. The RocketStar image has 8 nozzles, although their user guide says 12 nozzles!

Gliderflyer · « **Reply #8 on:** 01/20/2019 05:47 am »

Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 01/20/2019 05:34 am

Quote from: Gliderflyer on 01/19/2019 03:41 am
EDIT 2: Hard to tell from the distortions, but I think this is the aerospike picture.

This picture has 12 nozzles. The RocketStar image has 8 nozzles, although their user guide says 12 nozzles!

I blame Photoshop. Both images have the blue ring around the nozzle, and if you zoom in, you can see the same cage-like throat saddle in the RocketStar image. It is pretty easy to take a screenshot of the CAD model, if they are taking other companies images and photoshopping them, it makes me wonder if they even have a preliminary design.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #9 on:** 02/05/2019 02:06 pm »

https://twitter.com/RocketStarSpace/status/1092792510970281985

Quote

FAA backlog from the government shutdown has pushed our launch, scheduled for February 7, to later this month. Specific details will follow formal approval. 🚀⭐️ #RocketStar #aerospike #patienceisavirtue #CarpeAstra

Kryten · « **Reply #10 on:** 02/07/2019 07:06 pm »

I have been unable to find any FCC STA applications for Rocketstar. I doubt this launch is real, they haven't shown anything which would suggest they have the capability to perform any kind of near-space launch.

gongora · « **Reply #11 on:** 02/07/2019 07:49 pm »

Quote from: TrevorMonty on 01/19/2019 03:29 pm

Tom Markusic owner of Firefly put this aerospike design in to hard basket and switched to conventional RP1 engine.
I wonder if people behind Rocketstar are from Firefly original development team

Markusic/Firefly had legal issues with using the aerospike (he was working on it while still at a previous employer.)

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #12 on:** 09/28/2021 12:33 pm »

Looks like they are getting ready for a second launch attempt from the new LC-48:

https://spacenews.com/rocketstar-ready-for-second-suborbital-flight-attempt/

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #13 on:** 09/29/2021 07:09 am »

Here's a view of their engine. Not sure how they are going to do attitude control. Maybe a combination of differential thrust and ailerons on the fins. Looks they finally settled on eight nozzles.

tyrred · « **Reply #14 on:** 09/30/2021 03:01 am »

Is that black PVC pipe, clay and bolts?

tleski · « **Reply #15 on:** 09/30/2021 04:37 am »

That picture does not inspire confidence in their grandiose plans.
Is there anything legitimate about this company? Looks like another ARCA.

Their founder put this in his bio on their website:

Quote

Under Chris’s leadership, RocketStar developed their breakthrough rocket, a standardized, low-cost, reusable launch vehicle that revolutionized the future of space travel by providing routine and affordable access to space.

Seriously?

Stan-1967 · « **Reply #16 on:** 09/30/2021 05:20 pm »

Quote from: tyrred on 09/30/2021 03:01 am

Is that black PVC pipe, clay and bolts?

My guess is that is is Schedule 40 ABS. Based on scaling to the 2x4 in the support structure it is all held together by 1/2" threaded rod & zinc plated bolts.

Gliderflyer · « **Reply #17 on:** 11/16/2022 12:22 am »

I thought for sure the picture a few posts up had t be a mockup. Turns out it wasn't:

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #18 on:** 11/22/2022 05:58 am »

Quote from: Gliderflyer on 11/16/2022 12:22 am

I thought for sure the picture a few posts up had t be a mockup. Turns out it wasn't:

They had a HTP leak, which caused a fire at the base of the vehicle and the launch to be scrubbed.

Blackjax · « **Reply #19 on:** 04/01/2024 01:42 pm »

I hadn't heard of this company before but recent tests made it on to some mainstream news outlets.

https://interestingengineering.com/space/nuclear-fusion-powered-electric-propulsion-drive

Looks like they plan to fly early next year.