Skyrora

[Ben]

Skyrora aims to build a series of suborbital rockets and a smallsat launcher, all based on hydrogen peroxide/kerosene.

Skylark Nano: 1kg to 5km
Skylark Micro: 1kg to 25km
Skyhy: 2kg to 100km
Skylark L: 50kg to 100km
Skyrora XL: 335kg to 400km polar orbit
https://www.skyrora.com - https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd

So far they have shown two engine tests, one small engine in a container in the UK: https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd/status/1224344215662080000

and a larger engine at a test site outside Dnipro:
https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/engine-testing/skyrora-opens-secret-rocket-engine-testing-facility.html

They say they will make their first orbital launch in 2022. https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd/status/1213107911511162881

[Ben]

They have a very slick payload user's guide linked from https://www.skyrora.com/skyrora-xl

[Steven Pietrobon]

They are distilling their own HTP to 90%. All three stages use HTP/Kerosene. The Skyforce engine is using staged combustion! Payload is up to 315 kg to a 490 km sun synchronous orbit.

1st Stage: 9 Skyforce pump fed engines, 630 kN SL, 250.4 s SL Isp, 286.7 s Vac Isp
2nd Stage: 1 Skyforce pump fed engine, 85 kN, 306 s Isp
3rd Stage: 1 LEO pressure fed engine, 3.5 kN, 305 s Isp

Vehicle is 24.1 m long, 2.2 m diameter, 55.8 t lift-off mass, carbon composite monocoque structure.

[edzieba]

If nothing else, I'm exited to see HTP getting more attention.

While hard to tell from the teeeny tiny rendering of the XL third stage, the extended combustion chamber could indicate an expander-cycle engine.

[Ben]

I would wager that it's long because of the catalyst bed. A small liquid kick stage like that is likely to be pressure fed. It looks quite similar to Rocketlab Curie kick stage, image attached, or the MTV-1X; both were four spherical tank peroxide rockets.

[edzieba]

They call it out as a HTP/RP1 engine rather than HTP monoprop. Could still be a catalyst bed for a Gamma-style hypergolic ignition system though.

[lrk]

I would wager that it's long because of the catalyst bed. A small liquid kick stage like that is likely to be pressure fed. It looks quite similar to Rocketlab Curie kick stage, image attached, or the MTV-1X; both were four spherical tank peroxide rockets.

Curie runs on peroxide?  AFAIK we have never received public confirmation of the propellant used, only a "nontoxic monopropellant". 

The newest version of Curie also has been announced to have an optional biprop configuration, FWIW. 

[john smith 19]

They are distilling their own HTP to 90%. All three stages use HTP/Kerosene. The Skyforce engine is using staged combustion! Payload is up to 315 kg to a 490 km sun synchronous orbit.

1st Stage: 9 Skyforce pump fed engines, 630 kN SL, 250.4 s SL Isp, 286.7 s Vac Isp
2nd Stage: 1 Skyforce pump fed engine, 85 kN, 306 s Isp
3rd Stage: 1 LEO pressure fed engine, 3.5 kN, 305 s Isp

Vehicle is 24.1 m long, 2.2 m diameter, 55.8 t lift-off mass, carbon composite monocoque structure.

I wouldn't get too excited about this being an SC cycle. 

In British terminology the staging (wrt to HTP) can refer to partial decomposition by a catalyst pack before entry to the combustion chamber. The Gamma engines (in british terminology) were also SC engines.

It took me by surprise the first time I read about it.

A 3d printed engine is a serious achievement. If it's also an SC engine in the SSME sense of the term that's something of a breakthrough.

The obvious question is what's the T/W ratio and does it offset the lower Isp of using HTP?

[Mardlamock]

They are distilling their own HTP to 90%. All three stages use HTP/Kerosene. The Skyforce engine is using staged combustion! Payload is up to 315 kg to a 490 km sun synchronous orbit.

1st Stage: 9 Skyforce pump fed engines, 630 kN SL, 250.4 s SL Isp, 286.7 s Vac Isp
2nd Stage: 1 Skyforce pump fed engine, 85 kN, 306 s Isp
3rd Stage: 1 LEO pressure fed engine, 3.5 kN, 305 s Isp

Vehicle is 24.1 m long, 2.2 m diameter, 55.8 t lift-off mass, carbon composite monocoque structure.

I wouldn't get too excited about this being an SC cycle. 

In British terminology the staging (wrt to HTP) can refer to partial decomposition by a catalyst pack before entry to the combustion chamber. The Gamma engines (in british terminology) were also SC engines.

It took me by surprise the first time I read about it.

A 3d printed engine is a serious achievement. If it's also an SC engine in the SSME sense of the term that's something of a breakthrough.

The obvious question is what's the T/W ratio and does it offset the lower Isp of using HTP?

If they were using 98% HTP there'd be no performance loss to speak off, as for a same-volume multi-stage rocket, HTP and kerosine still generate the same total DV as a Kerolox vehicle.

[Ben]

In British terminology the staging (wrt to HTP) can refer to partial decomposition by a catalyst pack before entry to the combustion chamber. The Gamma engines (in british terminology) were also SC engines.

It took me by surprise the first time I read about it.

That is disappointing if it is the case, and inaccurate terminology. Running peroxide through a cat pack is not combustion.

A 3d printed engine is a serious achievement.

I would not go that far. Dozens of companies and student organizations have printed rocket engines. For small runs it is easier than traditional manufacturing. At this point, 3d printed engines are a sign that a company has no plan to mass produce rockets.

[john smith 19]

That is disappointing if it is the case, and inaccurate terminology. Running peroxide through a cat pack is not combustion.

Yes, it seemed a bit odd to me. It can be argued that the decomposition is the first stage toward combustion. IMHO it's a poor use of language, but that's just my opinion.

I would not go that far. Dozens of companies and student organizations have printed rocket engines. For small runs it is easier than traditional manufacturing. At this point, 3d printed engines are a sign that a company has no plan to mass produce rockets.

I'm not really sure if any rocket builder is trying to "mass produce" rockets. I'd say at present 12 launches a year from a pad is pretty regular, 15  to 24/year would be a very serious.  I'd say 3d printing can handle that.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Maybe there's some confusion. A keroxide staged combustion engine would have as part of its cycle the full decomposition of HTP which would drive the turbo pump. The decomposed HTP would then go into the combustion chamber. HTP flow is from the tank, to the turbo pump, part of which goes through the combustion chamber walls, the catalyst bed, turbo pump turbine and then the combustion chamber. Unlike a normal staged combustion engine, no fuel is required by the "pre-burner".

[daedalus1]

Maybe there's some confusion. A keroxide staged combustion engine would have as part of its cycle the full decomposition of HTP which would drive the turbo pump. The decomposed HTP would then go into the combustion chamber. HTP flow is from the tank, to the turbo pump, part of which goes through the combustion chamber walls, the catalyst bed, turbo pump turbine and then the combustion chamber. Unlike a normal staged combustion engine, no fuel is required by the "pre-burner".

Isn't decomposed HTP just water?

[randomly]

Water and Oxygen

[daedalus1]

Water and Oxygen

I mean after the oxygen is used for the turbine.
So you wouldn't want to inject water into the combustion chamber.

[john smith 19]

Water and Oxygen

I mean after the oxygen is used for the turbine.
So you wouldn't want to inject water into the combustion chamber.

It doesn't work that way.

The catalytic decomposition of HTP is water and Oxgyen at high temperature. So it's basically a steam turbine. Water injection has been used on rockets to increase thrust and cool the combustion chamber IIRC Ariane IV used this on its hypergolic engines. 

Being high temperature steam doesn't cool combustion much and its mass adds to the thrust. The high temperature steam is what makes it hypergolic with kerosene.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Being high temperature steam doesn't cool combustion much and its mass adds to the thrust. The high temperature steam is what makes it hypergolic with kerosene.

Pretty sure high temperature steam is not hypergolic with kerosene. :-) Its the high temperature oxygen that is hypergolic.

[john smith 19]

Being high temperature steam doesn't cool combustion much and its mass adds to the thrust. The high temperature steam is what makes it hypergolic with kerosene.

Pretty sure high temperature steam is not hypergolic with kerosene. :-) Its the high temperature oxygen that is hypergolic.

Well spotted. Yes.  I was  thinking if only you can get LOX hot enough ignition should not be a problem. Then I recalled that you can with resonance ignition but it seems to be quite slow to operate.

[baldusi]

In practical terms, the steam is hot. And turbines are thermal machines. So it works just as well as a staged combustion engine, only with more reliability. 98% HTP can get as hot as 1100K, which a lot more than normal (RD-180 handles about 850K). In the Russian literature, it would be a liquid-gas engine, which is a bit more accurate (but mixes expander, catalyst and combustion types).

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/astro_zach/status/1263027200820944896

Here is footage of the first rocket static fire test to take place in the UK for 50 years, conducted last Friday by @Skyrora_Ltd

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/05/20/major-rocket-test-takes-place-in-the-uk-for-the-first-time-in-50-years/

[SciNews]

From Skyrora
The UKs first complete ground rocket test in 50 years takes place in Scotland https://www.skyrora.com/post/the-uks-first-complete-ground-rocket-test-in-50-years-takes-place-in-scotland
Skylark-L’s static fire testing

[Robotbeat]

...

A 3d printed engine is a serious achievement.

I would not go that far. Dozens of companies and student organizations have printed rocket engines. For small runs it is easier than traditional manufacturing. At this point, 3d printed engines are a sign that a company has no plan to mass produce rockets.

I kind of agree for the most part (3D printing is generally slower than traditional manufacturing, it just requires less tooling and maybe fewer parts--if you can handle the reduction in material properties), but it's hard to say that RocketLab *isn't* kind of mass producing their 3D printed rocket engines since they've made about 200 of them so far. Probably making more engines than anyone else except SpaceX and Russia and may soon eclipse Russia.

I mean, it's not mass production like cars are mass produced, but still... OTRAG and Astra have only theoretically eclipsed RocketLab in mass production.

[john smith 19]

I would not go that far. Dozens of companies and student organizations have printed rocket engines. For small runs it is easier than traditional manufacturing. At this point, 3d printed engines are a sign that a company has no plan to mass produce rockets.

If by "rocket engine" you mean "Lump of acrylic (or some other combustible solid) you can run GO2 through to make a hybrid thruster" I'd agree with you.
If you mean "rocket engine" as "thrust chamber you push some high pressure gas in as a cold gas thruster" I'd still agree with you.

If you mean mean a high thrust (tonnes), pumped liquid rocket engine I think the list is considerably shorter.

I'd love to see someone do AM a version of the Whitehead teams positive displacement reciprocating pump design, but I've never heard of anyone doing so. I suspect the tolerances are too tight, but I'm happy to be proved wrong.

[ringsider]

From Skyrora
The UKs first complete ground rocket test in 50 years takes place in Scotland https://www.skyrora.com/post/the-uks-first-complete-ground-rocket-test-in-50-years-takes-place-in-scotland
Skylark-L’s static fire testing

I don't think this is the first ground test or even launch in the UK - everybody forgets Starchaser...



What's more interesting is that this rocket seems to have been built in the exact same room that Firefly and Skyrora have showed before in their shared Ukrainian factory:-



Which makes you wonder why they bother shipping it to the UK to do this marketing exercise. Are they getting some financial support from the UK?

[daedalus1]

Ringsider.
The main broadcaster in the U.K. didn't mention it, so that marketing angle failed. I doubt close on 100% of the British people have even heard of it.

[Celestial_Mech]

Hi, cool to see we have a thread!

It is a puzzle as to what to call our pump fed engines, staged uncombustion perhaps! We're a step on from the Gamma engine, we have catalytic ignition/injection like the Gamma, and a separate steam generator for the turbine, however, we then recover the oxygen rich exhaust from the turbine to the main chamber (rather than dump it over the side like the Gamma did). So we are closed cycle-staged, but via decomposition.  These approaches let us vastly simplfy the two big hassles with new biliquids, injector design and turbopump development; all the oxidiser is turned to hot gas before entering the chamber, promoting excellent mixing and with the added advantage of being "virtual hypergolic" ignition.  Then we can run the turbopumps on 600 degree steam, with no mixture ratio control, instead of a few thousand degrees.  Recovering the exhaust takes us the next step.  So peroxide gives a lightly stressed (well you know relatively), highly cooled, easy mixing, low temp turbopump engine, which we really can additive manufacture directly.  As far as I can see Rolls Royce considered recovering the turbine exhaust in the 60s but never did it, and I think the Reaction Motors LR40 aircraft rocket engine was the only one built with a similar cycle (though they had back luck with that which seems to have been what put the US industry off peroxide). I'd be very interested if anyone knows of other examples of this staged un-combustion approach.

With regards Starchaser, I worked there in the very early noughties on the X Prize, it was a great experience, we got around to testing 3 tonne KeroLox biliquids at a major UK government lab. But the management and experience wasn't really there, and activity tailed off after SpaceShip1. So Starchaser never got around to building a proper vehicle around the bi-liquids, just building huge things powered by clusters of HPR motors. They've been trying to make a comeback in the last couple of years, but if you look at the video of that Skybolt flight at Otterburn you can see at second 35 that it is just powered by five Aerotech 98mm HPR motors!

Skylark L is only our suborbital step (though we've been surprised by how much interest there is in commercial suborbital payload launch), so XL will be about twice the height and three times the diameter of the vehicle you see in the video.

I do hope we'll have more exciting stuff to show in the near future!

[Steven Pietrobon]

Thanks for your post Celestial_Mech. Great to hear you guys are developing a closed cycle HTP engine!

[Star One]

Ringsider.
The main broadcaster in the U.K. didn't mention it, so that marketing angle failed. I doubt close on 100% of the British people have even heard of it.

Well I’ve heard of it and a number of the U.K. newspapers including two of the biggest circulation titles did cover the news, which is all the more impressive considering there is this little thing called a global pandemic going on, perhaps you missed that fact, and how that will dominate the media in most countries. So in other words their PR didn’t fail.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1284870/uk-space-rockets-scotland-spaceport-skyrora-black-arrow

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/rocket-test-scotland-uk-skyrora-skylark-l-a9525476.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8339713/British-firm-ground-tests-rocket-UK-soil-50-years.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/11672533/uk-space-race-ground-rocket-test/

[daedalus1]

Ringsider.
The main broadcaster in the U.K. didn't mention it, so that marketing angle failed. I doubt close on 100% of the British people have even heard of it.

Well I’ve heard of it and a number of the U.K. newspapers including two of the biggest circulation titles did cover the news, which is all the more impressive considering there is this little thing called a global pandemic going on, perhaps you missed that fact, and how that will dominate the media in most countries. So in other words their PR didn’t fail.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1284870/uk-space-rockets-scotland-spaceport-skyrora-black-arrow

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/rocket-test-scotland-uk-skyrora-skylark-l-a9525476.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8339713/British-firm-ground-tests-rocket-UK-soil-50-years.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/11672533/uk-space-race-ground-rocket-test/

I did say the main broadcaster.

[jebbo]

The BBC covered it.

"BBC News - Rocket test first of its kind in UK in 50 years"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-52740857

--- Tony

[daedalus1]

The BBC covered it.

"BBC News - Rocket test first of its kind in UK in 50 years"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-52740857

--- Tony

That's website I'm talking broadcast. As in TV. With a 24 hour news channel and only requiring a few minutes to cover the story. I am disappointed thet the BBC didn't cover it.
I know that there is a pandemic (sarcastic comment from Star One) but I think you can easily fit this in between telling us the same thing a hundred times.

[ringsider]

Hi, cool to see we have a thread!

Glad you have joined us.

Could you perhaps give your thoughts on some areas being discussed?

1) Your website states you have 5 times more people in Ukraine than UK, and positions the UK as your HQ, while Ukraine is your R&D center (https://www.skyrora.com/who-we-are). Why bother shipping all that stuff to Scotland with that setup? What do you gain from having a front office in the UK?

2) Where are you launching this rocket from? Is there somewhere in the UK or will you go to somewhere with an existing launch setup like Sweden?

3) Companies like Vector (RIP), your own company, Interstellar in Japan, and Spain's PLD Space are going down the suborbital route with the explanation you can transfer large amounts of technology to an orbital vehicle later. But the mainstream view seems to be that orbital vehicles are on another level of cost/scale/complexity/performance/risk/reliability to what is acceptable in a suborbital rocket. Why does htis path make sense fo Slyrora?

4) You are somewhat dismissive of the high power rocketry motors in the Starchaser rocket but didn't you also use off-the-shelf motors in the small launcher Nano (https://www.skyrora.com/skylark-nano)? You promoted Nano as a major commercial step forward  ("'First' commercial rocket launched from Scotland", BBC), but Starchaser was not? What's different?

5) There seem to be some similarities in the way you promote your achievements and the path taken by Vector Launch Inc. e.g. big PR about technical results. Vector used to make similar claims, with an ultimately unfortunate outcome. Do you think it is wise to be treading that path?

6) Can you clarify your relationship with Firefly Aerospace? Do you share the Ukrainian R&D center with them?

7) Who will launch their suborbital rocket in Europe first: you or PLD Space? ;o)

[Celestial_Mech]

Pleased to be here!

1. We can draw on a wider pool of experience from the Ukrainian office, but we're a UK company founded in Edinburgh to access the potential of UK launch. The government has been after that happening for a decade now, though clearly the first ministers were totally sold on Skylon and Virgin Galactic, so they started off looking at big runways in the west!  No hardware is produced in Ukraine, with our engineering activities happening between our UK and Slovakian centres.  With our Dnipro R&D centre we can draw upon that tremendous experience in the country (as Firefly do, more of that later!) which is otherwise rather lost since the Russian annexation.

2. Our core aim is to operate from the prospective UK vertical spaceport, we're friends with all three serious contenders, and hope to see them available soon. But of course we will consider other sites if we're ready and they are not.  As you'll see from the pictures though we need very little infrastructure.

3. Orbital is a big jump, and we've seen that as the obstacle for so many start-ups, but in our case Skylark-L is a genuinely good stepping stone to XL.  Composite structures, engine printing, flight systems, avionics, all help de-risk the orbital vehicle; and of course even just building up launch operation experience with a full bi-liquid. Remember there's only ever been a few solid sounding rockets flown to space from the UK, and none recently; our launcher industry flew in Australia and was killed off in the seventies, so there's perhaps more value to us of this than there would be in the US where you have had a continous launcher industry and domestic launch.  We are getting a lot of interest now in commercial suborbits, so it will be cool if we can make thatr business case close to bring in revenue sooner.

4. Ah no totally, the HPR motors are tremendously useful, Nano was a useful starting launch to capture public interest, we really have much less public familiarity with rocket launching than the US. But next up we're using HPR motors in Micro to carry out range and electronics tests, push higher and faster than any private rocket has gone in the UK, and it's even helped us start pushing through the (all new) regulations being created in the UK that will apply to SK-L and XL. But Micro is a minimum diameter two stager designed round the payload, and to get the best out of this cheap and handy off-the-shelf propulsion whilst the bi-liquids are under development.  In other words an aerospace vehicle that happens to use HPR motors.  Starchaser Skybolt launch has been "Whatabouted" in the press a bit, aside from the fact all our press said "first ground test in 50 years (actually it's 49 but the papers like to round up!)" you can see Skybolt is empty, it's designed from the outside in, a model in other words, with only 2.5 times the propulsion we're using in 100mm diameter Micro.  It probably has 70,000Ns if those are all N2000ws seeing as their Aerotech annodising, P class, capable of 4000 feet.  As I mentioned I worked at Starchaser, and it was great, I got to work on those multitonne Kerolox engines, but they've never flown a proper design.  So it was a bit galling to have that launch tacked on!

5. Well we want to build profile, but we've only anounced serious tests as big things outside background social media, whereas (and I'm very willing to be corrected) Vector's launch to a few thousand feet reminded me of Starchaser! It was clearly bespoke propulsion, but I wasn't clear as to the point of that flight.  Whereas this ground test is a proper step along the engineering development, and again you've got to remember this from a UK perspective we've had nothing like this since the government canned everything before our entire team was born!

6. No Firefly is completely separate, as has been noted the founders are friends! They used to work together but the two space companies are not connected.  Tom Markusic was kind enough to be on our advisory board for our first year. So our relationship with Firefly?  Friendly rivalry! (though I concede they have a heck of a head start, I can't wait to see them launch Alpha, I think there's plenty of opportunity for the serious developers, if not all 140ish companies currently at it!)

7. Us of course! Though we've partied with some of the PLD team and wish them well!

[Star One]

The BBC covered it.

"BBC News - Rocket test first of its kind in UK in 50 years"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-52740857

--- Tony

That's website I'm talking broadcast. As in TV. With a 24 hour news channel and only requiring a few minutes to cover the story. I am disappointed thet the BBC didn't cover it.
I know that there is a pandemic (sarcastic comment from Star One) but I think you can easily fit this in between telling us the same thing a hundred times.

The majority of pieces on the BBC website will usually get broadcast somewhere, generally on their 24 hour news channel because of the BBC’s reduced budget they tend to not make so much website specific news pieces these days.

[daedalus1]

The BBC covered it.

"BBC News - Rocket test first of its kind in UK in 50 years"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-52740857

--- Tony

That's website I'm talking broadcast. As in TV. With a 24 hour news channel and only requiring a few minutes to cover the story. I am disappointed thet the BBC didn't cover it.
I know that there is a pandemic (sarcastic comment from Star One) but I think you can easily fit this in between telling us the same thing a hundred times.

The majority of pieces on the BBC website will usually get broadcast somewhere, generally on their 24 hour news channel because of the BBC’s reduced budget they tend to not make so much website specific news pieces these days.

They did not broadcast it on the TV news, as I previously said.

[gin455res]

Hi, cool to see we have a thread!

Hi.
Couple of questions if that is okay?

1) Do you have any plans for re-usability?
2)a Is the peroxide the coolant?
2)b if peroxide is the coolant: i) how does the hot peroxide decompose compared to cold peroxide? ; ii) is there any thermal decomposition in the cooling passages, or only in a catalyst pack?

3)  Are both fuel and oxidiser impellors on the same shaft?
4)  Since the fuel ratio is so low , would it make any sense to decouple the oxidiser pump from the fuel pump and use an electric pump for the fuel?

[Celestial_Mech]

Hi
Certainly-ish!

1. We're not currently active on reusabilty, but I'm sure everyone will be compelled to at some stage. Very interested to see how RocketLab's attempt goes.

2. Yep as with the Gamma engines, it's a tremendous coolant and there's loads of it.

3. I couldn't possibly comment

4. However I can confirm both propellants are rocket pumped, I think electric pumps are shortcut that just costs you in the longtime, unless batteries get a lot better, which they might.

[john smith 19]

Hi
Certainly-ish!
4. However I can confirm both propellants are rocket pumped, I think electric pumps are shortcut that just costs you in the longtime, unless batteries get a lot better, which they might.

Lithium ion battery tech improves roughly 10% year on year according to the report linked to in the electron thread.

Likewise power electronics is about a $40Bn/year industry with strong incentives to improve device power ratings. Faster switching times and lower on resistance --> smaller losses --> more efficient use of limited power, although EMI is likely to be an increasing issue.

Magnetic materials improve more slowly but there is interest in electric motor actuators for use deep inside jet engines, which need higher curie temp materials to run with limited (ideally no) cooling.

The attraction of the technology is that it can leverage improvements made by these industries to support much bigger (and bigger revenue generating) market segments. The joker is qualifying upgraded parts across the whole range of temp/vibration/pressures found in a launch, which most applications just don't need. This implies block upgrades after X number of launches of any (or all) of the batteries/controllers/motors tech.

However if you're committed to HTP and 3d printing Masten's work on making a plastic combustion chamber  opens a whole new possible solution space.  Plastics exist with operating temps to 300c and with densities relative to a super alloy (baseline SG 7.8 ) of 3.9-5.2x lighter than baseline there appears to be huge potential for improved T/W ratio improvement. Pumps casing would be an obvious change but as you're using room temp liquids the impellers would also be candidates. They could be much bigger (thicker sections to carry the load) but still be lighter.

However I guess the focus at the moment will be to get something off the pad in one piece.

[Celestial_Mech]

Indeed, I'm very excited to see how it develops for electric aviation, I think we'll see that coming together much faster than electric cars did.  The incredible simplicity, and the chance to do all those boundary layer and convertiplane tricks that were always too difficult with traditional propulsion!

Once you've got the hang of turbines I suspect they'll always have the edge on electical systems, but then again, if they're super cheap, simple and reliable...

I hadn't heard about the Masten's plastic chambers that's fascinating, in a previous position one of our team researched vortex cooling (I should be clear because of IP we are not using it, but his research is a matter of public record) and succeeded in creating a glass walled gas-gas demonstrator with vortex cooling like Orbitec.  Given high conductivity, and maybe integral fibre reinforcement it's intriguing to consider what additive manufacture could enable in polymers.  In line with our cautious design, focussed on manufacturability, we're using what is now very well proven metal additive manufacture for our engines!

[john smith 19]

Once you've got the hang of turbines I suspect they'll always have the edge on electical systems, but then again, if they're super cheap, simple and reliable...

Turbine driven power generation is pretty attractive if you have lots of stuff that need to be run.

I hadn't heard about the Masten's plastic chambers that's fascinating, in a previous position one of our team researched vortex cooling (I should be clear because of IP we are not using it, but his research is a matter of public record) and succeeded in creating a glass walled gas-gas demonstrator with vortex cooling like Orbitec.  Given high conductivity, and maybe integral fibre reinforcement it's intriguing to consider what additive manufacture could enable in polymers.  In line with our cautious design, focussed on manufacturability, we're using what is now very well proven metal additive manufacture for our engines!

Vortex cooling is clever but AFAIK the Masten stuff was fairly conventional using water cooling instead of regenerative cooling using the propellants. Apparently they written an AIAA paper outlining the work. Interestingly it was not  an IRAD but done as part of a contract for an outside customer, who had to agree the approach beforehand. That suggests they had made a pretty solid case for it being possible.

The surprising thing was the level of thermal conductivity you can get out of the right modern plastic, with or without fillers. The real breakthrough was realizing that a plastic combustion chamber was possible in the first place. Apparently stretched UHMW polythene can manage 40Wm^-1K^-1.

One technology I think is under exploited in plastics is "rotomolding" where a heated mold is spun (fairly gently) in 2 axes to gradually build up layers of plastic. It's popular for making large hollow shapes, like for tanks, where the mfg volumes can't justify an injection mold. 

There is also the possibility of coating some kind of preform make in some other material to create composite properties.

However I'm not surprised you will be focusing on metal AM for the near term. I look forward to your first launch with considerable excitement.

[ringsider]

6. No Firefly is completely separate

Skyrora 3D printing in Ukraine:



From this story:

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/skyrora-propels-uk-space-missions-3d-printed-rocket-parts-128852/

Firefly 3D printing in Ukraine:



From this story:

https://sobitie.com.ua/dnepropetrovsk-novosti/pervuyu-chastnuyu-raketnuyu-kompaniyu-v-ukraine-prezentovali-v-dnepre

[john smith 19]

6. No Firefly is completely separate

Skyrora 3D printing in Ukraine:



From this story:

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/skyrora-propels-uk-space-missions-3d-printed-rocket-parts-128852/

Firefly 3D printing in Ukraine:

From this story:

https://sobitie.com.ua/dnepropetrovsk-novosti/pervuyu-chastnuyu-raketnuyu-kompaniyu-v-ukraine-prezentovali-v-dnepre

That respirator. It's a bit worrying. 

[Celestial_Mech]

That's an error in that first article about Skyrora from the 3D printing site, we've had subcontract test printing from them in the past, because as a European start up needing massive pieces of Inconel printing you end up getting stuff from everyone that has a printer big enough!  You can see it's our nozzle shape, and the picture may have been collected by us at some point (it's an old article and before I was with the company so I don't know the photo's precise journey), but it's the article which has made the leap to say it's our machine and operator.

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/skyrora-propels-uk-space-missions-3d-printed-rocket-parts-128852/

You can see though it's a secondhand article by someone who hasn't a clue what they're writing, stealing quotes off Spacenew's interview, and that garbage about "1st and 2nd stages engines tested in Jan 2017", then guessing about what we might be printing at the end of the article, and what they had in mind with "The third stage, the landing stage," is anyone's guess! (maybe like how Netflix's first Spaceforce launch has SpaceX style legs but never lands!)

How many times have you seen a first had article about something you're working on make stupid errors, that article is a couple of people down the line in chinese whispers!  We're currently sourcing big prints from a couple of leading additive manufacturing bureau in Europe (and I consider that to include the UK still!)  Our most recent 3rd stage engine, used at Spaceport Cornwall last year, and for the Ecosene tests this year was produced in association with Frazer Nash and Hythe Marine

https://www.thenational.scot/news/17353136.skyroras-rocket-launch-bid-moves-closer-to-lift-off/
And we've now got all our welding and assembly in-house in Edinburgh

https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/18160029.3d-printed-rocket-set-testing-scotland-march/
(ignore the painfully set up press photo, this is of course after assembly but the PR wanted welding regalia in shot!)

We're progressively getting more vertically integrated, as we're finding that more effective, just as SpaceX found in their early days.

Can't wait to cover what happening next!

(also it's pretty dusty when stuff comes out of sintering machines, I used to run one at an educational establishment in Manchester)

[john smith 19]

We're progressively getting more vertically integrated, as we're finding that more effective, just as SpaceX found in their early days.

Can't wait to cover what happening next!

This is very good news.

[john smith 19]

We're currently sourcing big prints from a couple of leading additive manufacturing bureau in Europe (and I consider that to include the UK still!)  Our most recent 3rd stage engine, used at Spaceport Cornwall last year, and for the Ecosene tests this year was produced in association with Frazer Nash and Hythe Marine

Not perhaps names many have ever heard of, or associated with AM.

[Celestial_Mech]

Before coming across them in their current form I only new of Frazer Nash as an historic car manufacturer! But they've continued into a spread of engineering companies involved in all sorts of stuff. Hythe were the welding provider on that first engine.

[john smith 19]

Before coming across them in their current form I only new of Frazer Nash as an historic car manufacturer! But they've continued into a spread of engineering companies involved in all sorts of stuff. Hythe were the welding provider on that first engine.

Yes Curtis Wright in the US is another. If people know them they probably heard of them as a historic aircraft mfg AFAIK they deal with specialized valves (like for nuclear reactors).

[Mammutti]

Edinburgh-based Skyrora successfully launched its Skylark Nano rocket from remote land, the Fethaland Peninsula at North Roe on the Scottish island on Saturday, the 13th of June.

Skyrora plans to launch from one of the three proposed spaceports in Scotland and commercially launching from Shetland in the future is a potential option for them.
Reaching an altitude of six kilometers, this marked the third time the 2 meter (6.5ft) projectile took to the skies. The launch was completed for educational purposes, collecting meteorological data, measuring wind profiles, analysing the vehicles trajectory and providing critical training in support of Skyrora’s future plans.

[...]

https://www.skyrora.com/post/hattrick-for-rocket-company-after-first-ever-launch-from-shetland-soil

[Celestial_Mech]

"Well that escalated quickly"
Despite the PR dept getting over enthusiatic this was simply useful team practice for bigger launches coming up, and a test of some small systems that will fly on those launches.
There is no accounting for for excited the British press get about a rocket, any rocket!
We're going to have more satisfiying updates for you all in the near future.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1275434373022511104

Today we are celebrating Skyrora's third year in business! Skyrora has come a long way since June 2017, ticking off many milestones on the way to putting the UK back in Space. By 2023, we aim to have Skyrora XL placing satellites into Space, taking off from UK soil.

#LaunchUK

[daedalus1]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1275434373022511104

Today we are celebrating Skyrora's third year in business! Skyrora has come a long way since June 2017, ticking off many milestones on the way to putting the UK back in Space. By 2023, we aim to have Skyrora XL placing satellites into Space, taking off from UK soil.

#LaunchUK

Great news.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

14.07.2020   by Skyrora Team
SKYRORA OPENS ROCKET ENGINE TEST COMPLEX EXPECTED TO CREATE OVER 170 JOBS

Skyrora has established an engine test complex in Scotland, where it already has successfully tested its 3.5kN engine and three-tonne engine for its sub-orbital and orbital rockets. Skyrora expects the newly established Engine Test Complex to help the company create over 170 new jobs in the area by 2030.

Skyrora’s engine test complex layout is fairly minimal, mainly consisting of a fuel and oxidiser loading system to put fuel into both tanks and a pressure supply system to feed the fuel to the engine in the test stand.  Skyrora also built the actual test stand, the road to access the test site and the concrete slab for the test site to sit on. It took the team only a few weeks to build it, at a fraction of the estimated time and cost while making sure all measures followed health and safety guidelines.

Skyrora’s vision is to test all three engines used on its rocket suite in the one location: the seven-tonne engine for the first and second stage of the orbital Skyrora XL launch vehicle, the 3.5Kn engine for the third stage, and the three-tonne engine for the sub-orbital Skylark L launch vehicle.

The test site is estimated to help Skyrora create over 170 mainly technical jobs in manufacturing and operations ranging from mechanical engineering to electronics for avionics systems.

Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive officer of Skyrora, said: “The opening of our engine test complex represents a giant leap forward for the UK’s ambitions as a space nation and Scotland’s status as a space hub. The location and additional jobs will benefit the UK space industry and help the overall economy grow. It will also allow Skyrora’s highly skilled workforce and a young generation of engineers and technicians to be a part of this space revolution.  Skyrora has developed and come so far as a team and a company, and I am really proud to see how many milestones we have achieved in a short period of time.”

In January 2020, Skyrora announced it had completed up to 25 tests on their 3.5kN upper stage orbital engine testing their Ecosene fuel, an equivalent kerosene derived from unrecyclable plastics. And right before the UK lockdown measures were implemented, the complex saw the three-tonne engine through several tests. The engine produces 30kN’s of thrust, meaning that it is one order of magnitude greater than the 3.5kN third stage.

Skyrora’s main objective of testing engines is to validate the performance of the engine. Variables such as pressure, thrust, flow of fuel and flow of oxidizer were stress-tested and assessed as part of the process.

The three-tonne engine, integrated onto Skylark-L, also underwent a successful full vertical static fire test in May 2020. The 11-metre rocket could be ready to launch from as early as spring 2021 and can reach an altitude of 100km; the test results showed it would have crossed the Karman line.

Following the 3.5kN and three-tonne engine tests, Skyrora is now looking at expanding the test site to allow the rocket company to test their seven-tonne engine, used for the first and second stage of the low Earth orbit (LEO) vehicle, the Skyrora XL. 

Dr Jack-James Marlow, Engineering Manager at Skyrora, who oversaw the testing, said: “Our engine test complex is a fantastic opportunity for Skyrora and the UK Space industry. Scotland is heading towards an unprecedented growth in UK space and our complex is one step closer to achieving this. We are planning to test all our engines, which are fully 3D printed and operate on high-test peroxide (HTP, a highly concentrated solution of hydrogen peroxide), at the site. Our recent successful testing of the three-tonne engine is nearly ten times greater in thrust than our last series of engine tests on our LEO engine. We pushed the engine to its limits to find its operational envelope and critical parameters. The engine performed as expected and has enabled us to begin small volume production of the engine”.

Looking to the future, both Skylark L and its 22-metre sibling Skyrora XL will utilise Ecosene – the fuel comprised of waste plastics developed by Skyrora. Technological advances mean Ecosene will be able to produce 600kg of usable kerosene from 1000kg of waste plastics in the space of 24 hours.

Using proven technology from the likes of Black Arrow, Skyrora will use hydrogen peroxide as a fuel oxidiser. This removes the need and cost for cryogenic freezing due to Scotland’s unpredictable weather, which it would prove debilitating in the event of a late cancellation.

The launch vehicle manufacturing company aims to complete the inaugural launch of Skyrora XL from a UK spaceport by 2023.

https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyrora-opens-rocket-engine-test-complex-expected-to-create-over-170-jobs

[Mammutti]

https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd/status/1285872125216264193

Take a look at this footage from our three-tonne engine test completed at the Engine Test Complex in Fife back in early March. Skyrora aim to test all three engines in our suite at this facility. #Scotlandtospace #LaunchUK

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1286604214278467592

Skyrora's tech team have been working away on different parts of our orbital launch vehicle, and have constructed pressure vessels made from carbon fibre and resin for the third stage of Skyrora XL.🚀
Take a look at the vessel in action!
#inhousecapabilities
#Innovative
#Launch

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1291305690527662080

We are delighted to announce that we are launching Skylark Micro in Iceland! The launch will be part of our de-risking programme, with the first launch window scheduled for a week’s time! Stay tuned!🚀

Full Article: bit.ly/2ENe3ab

#IcelandLaunch
#Research
#Educate

Skyrora continues with its de-risking programme by preparing to launch the Skylark Micro rocket from Iceland later this month. With the first launch window scheduled for 12 August, the two-stage, four-metre tall sub-orbital rocket, is set for take-off from Langanes Penisula, Iceland.

Following the July test for trajectory and hardware on the Skylark Nano, the Icelandic launch of the Skylark Micro will test onboard avionics and communications as well as practice marine recovery operations. Skyrora’s de-risking programme is based on testing its systems with smaller and more cost-effective vehicles before they are used in their larger Skylark L and Skyrora XL rockets. Their low Earth orbital rocket, the Skyrora XL, is scheduled to launch in 2023.

Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive officer from Skyrora said: “Skyrora’s de-risking programme is essential for scaling, learning and education before we launch our two commercial vehicles, Skylark L and Skyrora XL. The entire team is working at a pace and has made great efforts to get another launch underway. I’d also like to express my thanks and gratitude towards Iceland’s government, which has been tremendously supportive with the preparations for this upcoming launch.” 

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1291722980419162113

Skyrora's launch crew have successfully arrived at the launch site in the Langanes Peninsula in Iceland, where we will be launching the suborbital Skylark Micro rocket for the first time. T-minus 5 days until our first launch window arrives!
#Readytolaunch
#Liftoff
#Rocketlaunch

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1293099468297064452

T- minus 1 day for our first launch window! Who’s ready? 🇮🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🚀
#SkylarkMicroLaunch

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1293482021344423936

Launch update: this morning we have received the information that the wind in Langanes will not allow for the Skylark Micro Mission I launch to take place today. We will be watching the weather closely and will review first thing tomorrow! Stay tuned!🚀
#IcelandLaunch
#Rocket

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1293871688237686787

Launch update: the upper level winds today in the Langanes Peninsula are in violation of our launch conditions, and so we will be standing down from today's Skylark Micro Mission I launch.

We will continue to closely monitor the weather and provide further updates.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1294226519490023424

Launch update: Today, the mid level winds are unfortunately not in our favour. However, the weather is predicting a viable launch window tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed, and at least we have some beautiful sunsets to watch while our tech team continue to prepare for launch!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1294887871233568774

Launch update: the mid and upper level winds are looking good today! But fingers crossed the low level winds stay good! 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Stay tuned! 🚀

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1294910633356517376

Launch update: weather balloon launched. So far, so good! 🎈🚀

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1294937402763546626

Skylark Micro Mission I is ready for launch. Weather conditions are good and the team is ready to go! Although, there will not be any live stream, we will work quickly to provide the photos and video footage post launch. Stay tuned. 🚀🚀🇮🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
#removebeforeflight

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1294955336068210688

We have lift off! Skylark Micro Launch I has successfully been launched. Our tech team are now working on launch recovery. More photos and videos to follow!🚀
#Launch
#Rocket
#Liftoff

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1294955691191525376

Here is a video from the spectator area!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

18.08.2020by Skyrora Team
SKYRORA’S SKYLARK MICRO ROCKET LAUNCHES FROM ICELAND

Skyrora has successfully launched its two-stage, four-metre tall sub-orbital rocket, Skylark Micro from the company’s mobile launch complex set up within a few days at Langanes Peninsula, Iceland. The rocket climbed to 26.86km in altitude before both stages were parachuted back down to sea.

The launch is part of Skyrora’s de-risking program leading up to the building and launching of its orbital vehicle, Skyrora XL, scheduled for 2023. The launch of Skylark Micro was to test onboard electronics and communications that will also be used in the larger Skylark-L and Skyrora XL launch vehicles. Before launch, the team undertook a number of weather procedures to learn more about the mid and upper-level wind speeds and altitudes. In addition, the mobile launch complex allowed the team to collect a large amount of data of telemetry, GPS tracking, and weather conditions during the flight to which they are currently analysing. The test also allowed the Skyrora crew to practice launch procedures and marine recovery operations.

Despite the ongoing heroic efforts of the Langanes Search and Rescue and Skyrora Recovery teams, Skyrora has unfortunately been unsuccessful in their efforts of locating the Skylark Micro booster and sustainer stages. However, they are still continuing search operations for the next few days as well as learning how to improve future recovery operations. Creating another test of our suborbital mobile launch complex in a different location demonstrates the immense speed and flexibility of Skyrora for launching its test rockets.

Until this year, Iceland had no permit procedure to allow rockets to be launched from the country. However, after Skyrora traveled to Iceland in January to meet the relevant government officials and see the launch site, the Icelandic authorities agreed upon and implemented a framework to allow Skyrora to launch its Skylark Micro. The successful launch was closely organised with Space Iceland, only founded in 2019. With their help and within a few months, Skyrora got the operational logistics and governmental documents in place before the launch took place.

Leading up to the launch, Skyrora invited the Mayor of Langanesbyggd, Jonas-Egilsson, Members of Parliament, families, and students from the local areas to meet and greet the team as well as having the chance to learn more about the Skylark Micro mission and see the rocket up close before it set off.

Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive officer of Skyrora said: "I am very happy that Iceland has allowed us to launch from their country. This allowed us to continue our developmental and de-risking programme. It is critical that we complete the programme so we can scale up and learn from any mistakes before launching our larger launch vehicles, Skylark L and Skyrora XL. "

"These de-risking launches are all about learning and education. The Icelandic launch has allowed us to test our avionics and communications on a smaller and more cost-effective vehicle. I also hope this educational launch promotes the space industry in a positive way and inspires the younger generation."

"I could not be more thankful for Iceland putting the permit framework together in such a short period of time." 

Icelandic government officials and ministers have expressed their delight of Skyrora expanding its business to their country. Thor Fanndal from Space Iceland said: “We congratulate Skyrora on its successful launch. All of us at Space Iceland are immensely proud of our contribution to this. It only took six months to secure all permits which we believe is a testament to the efficiency of Iceland’s public agencies.”

https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyroras-skylark-micro-rocket-launches-from-iceland

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1296394546595672064

Congratulations once again to our mission patch design winner, @ryan_oconnor89. Here are some photos of the mission patch being put on Skylark Micro before launch! Stay tuned for some more competitions coming your way. 🚀
#MissionPatch
#Winner
#Launch

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1300784014203203585

Check out this close-up of our Skyrora XL 3rd stage engine assembly at our production facility. We are consistently working towards the development of our launch vehicles, with many unseen manufacturing processes that take place behind the scenes, so here’s more of an insight!🚀

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1331590863810678789

Skyrora’s LEO engine which recently underwent numerous tests, will also be integrated into our Space Tug allowing various payloads to be launched into space at once. It also aims to remove dead satellites and other debris, reducing our environmental impact. #makingspaceaccessible

[TommyJo]

Wow! The company's successes in such a short period are amazing! I've been watching you for a while and enjoy it. And the fact that at the very beginning of your journey you took care of removing traces of people from space - it's just great!

But I would also be interested to know about your global plans. Do you want to take over the world?) Just kidding, of course.

[Mammutti]

11.01.2021
SKYRORA REVEAL NEW UK-BUILT VEHICLE IN LIVE TEST

On 23rd December 2020 the Skyrora test and flight operations team performed one of their most important test campaigns to date, a full upper stage static fire test, at their engine development complex in Fife, Scotland. This historic event represents yet another significant milestone in the Edinburgh-based rocket manufacturer’s development plan. In fact, it is a crucial milestone for the entire UK space industry.

The company unveiled their latest technical accomplishment with a full mission duration static fire test (450 second burn over 3 firings) of the upper stage of their orbital-class vehicle, Skyrora XL. The test involved a fully-integrated setup of the engine, feed systems, avionics, and the software.

This third stage vehicle has capabilities way beyond just transporting its payload into orbit. It is a full mission-ready Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) that can perform a number of in-space missions once it has delivered its payload including the replacement of redundant satellites or even the removal of space debris.

Skyrora CEO, Volodymyr Levykin, said: “Our goal was always to be mission ready once all the regulations and permissions were in place, and this development not only brings us closer to that point but also takes us beyond simply launch readiness. We have been deliberately quiet about this aspect of our Skyrora XL launch vehicle as we had technical challenges to get it to this stage and we wanted to ensure all tests had a satisfactory outcome, which they now have.

With the current climate and a real shortage of good news, we feel it is the right time to share this with the world.

It’s important to show that even in these challenging times we are still a nation that continues to innovate and take the lead in some of our most lofty ambitions.

We aim not only to conduct efficient launches from UK soil in the most environmentally friendly way, but ensure that each single launch mission has the possibility of conducting the level of work that would have historically taken multiple launches. With this approach, we enter a whole new level of efficiency with full consideration of environmental impact taken into account”.

This level of functionality comes into its own when we look at the growing number of large constellations entering orbit. With OneWeb looking to launch over 600 smallsats as part of their internet connectivity mission and SpaceX looking to build a Starlink constellation of 42,000 satellites, there will be as much demand for in-space operations as there will be for launch services. The Skyrora third stage OTV will fulfil that demand while also conducting maiden launch flights.

To date, the company has executed a rigorous series of engine tests, but this latest exercise involved a fully-integrated setup of the engine, the flight-weight structure and feed systems, flight-grade avionics and the full flight computer software which will be used in the first flight of Skyrora XL. The test was not only a verification of the engine and fluid systems, but of the flight software and vehicle structure, as the vehicle performed a full set of engine burns and vehicle manoeuvres that simulate the flight of the upper stage in orbit above Earth.

This test is key, not only for the development of the vehicle, but in verifying the readiness of the operations team in full-scale test operations, the manufacturing teams in their ability to produce flight-grade vehicles and is the final checkpoint prior to flight readiness of the stage. Passing this test puts Skyrora one step closer to the completion of their Skyrora XL vehicle.

Skyrora Head of Engineering, Dr Jack James Marlow commented on the milestone: “We had the aim of testing the 3rd stage in 2020 as per our technological plan. Last year we have faced many risks to our plan, but the team has worked tirelessly and as one to get this done. Despite global challenges, we have completed every milestone we had set out to achieve this year. This puts us in a great position to start 2021 and expand our operations with increased manufacturing, vehicle launches and more Skyrora XL stage testing”.

The vehicle has the ability to refire its engine several times and conduct multiple missions during one trip, making missions highly configurable and suitable for a wide envelope of customer requests and flight plans.

The Skyrora upper stage is a historic first not just for the company, but for the UK Space industry, as it is the first “mission ready” vehicle of its kind to be developed in the country.

Tim Peake, Astronaut and Space Inspirer commented: “It's fantastic that companies such as Skyrora are persisting in their ambition to make the UK a “launch state”. By driving forward and constantly investing in their engineering capabilities, the UK continues to benefit from these impressive milestones achieved. In undertaking a full fire test of their third stage, which fulfils the function of an Orbital Manoeuvring Vehicle capable of delivering satellites into precision orbits, Skyrora is one step closer to launch readiness.

This vehicle will also be able to perform vital services such as satellite removal, refuelling and replacement and debris removal from orbit. Taking such an idea from design right through to manufacture and flight-ready status is a first not only for the UK, but also for Europe and the World.”

Space Tug
Back in the mid-1980s, several studies were done into the development of an Orbital Manoeuvring Vehicle (OMV) with the primary function of removing satellites out of orbit. The idea was further developed as Russia started developing its “Parom” spacecraft. The idea gained little traction due to the limited numbers of launches at the time, but the appetite for such a vehicle has been gaining strength in recent times, as only in 2018 did such a vehicle enter space when Spaceflight Inc. launched the Sherpa OMV onboard a Falcon 9 rocket.

Further to this, in October 2019 a US consortium headed up by Northrop Grumman launched their “Mission Extension Vehicle” into orbit from Kazakhstan which then repositioned an existing satellite into a new orbit extending its mission length by another four years. The mission was followed in August 2020, when the consortium performed a similar manoeuvre with a second vehicle. Since then, a small number of companies including Airbus and Momentus Space have worked on developing in-space manoeuvring vehicles, but are very much at the early stages.

In-Space Taxi Service
The Skyrora upper stage, once in orbit, can navigate to a wide variety of possible orbits, with the ability to make multiple stops and perform a number of functions during its journey.

Whilst a lot of the space news across the UK has focussed on the country’s move into providing launch services, which would mostly deploy satellites into fixed orbits, very little has been done to develop in-space manoeuvres, and certainly nothing of this scale or functionality. This development represents a paradigm shift in in-orbit operations. Having a last-mile orbital delivery service, which can drop off numerous satellites into various orbits, move satellites from one orbit to another or perform a variety of maintenance tasks, is revolutionary to the UK/EU Space Industry.

One of the possible objectives of the Upper Stage would be to tackle the issue of space junk by removing redundant space objects from orbit. There are around 34,000 objects above 10cm in size in Earth’s orbit that would be considered space junk - 3,000 of which are redundant satellites. Moving at around 10km/s, these objects could produce debilitating damage to operational satellites or even the International Space Station.

And as we see increasing numbers of constellations being placed into orbit, with the likes of OneWeb and SpaceX planning on sending thousands of satellites up, then as those numbers grow, so does the demand for a vehicle that can make multiple stops and functions in space without the need for multiple launches.

Minimising impact on the environment
This sort of vehicle is a crucial development in Skyrora’s aim to maximise the UK’s space activities, giving the country the ability to remove space junk, launch earth monitoring satellites and maintain existing in-orbit satellites, with a minimum number of launches. With several missions being achieved by one single rocket launch, Skyrora optimise each launch while minimising any impact on the local environment. This is coupled with the use of eco-friendly fuel, Ecosene, powering the vehicle to ensure the UK has the most environmentally friendly space industry in the world.

The Vehicle
The Skyrora XL upper stage is powered by a 3D printed 3.5kN liquid engine with multiple ignition capability. Orientation control is provided by engine gimballing and cold gas thrusters. The main structure and tanks are manufactured from carbon fibre making it extremely light and therefore reducing the quantity of fuel required during its journey.

https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyrora-reveal-new-uk-built-vehicle-in-live-test

https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd/status/1348570725012054019

[alanr74]

Small piece written by the CEO of skyrora here

https://futurescot.com/government-must-invest-more-to-stay-ahead-of-the-curve-in-global-space-race-says-scottish-rocket-ceo/ 

A leader in Scotland’s space industry has urged the UK Government to continue investing in its space capabilities in order to establish itself as a legitimate space nation.

Chief executive of Edinburgh-based rocket company Skyrora, Volodymyr Levykin, believes government commitment is crucial if the industry is to keep up with other countries and private companies, following the successful launches of America’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Chinese-manned spaceship mission last week.

[daedalus1]

Small piece written by the CEO of skyrora here

https://futurescot.com/government-must-invest-more-to-stay-ahead-of-the-curve-in-global-space-race-says-scottish-rocket-ceo/ 

A leader in Scotland’s space industry has urged the UK Government to continue investing in its space capabilities in order to establish itself as a legitimate space nation.

Chief executive of Edinburgh-based rocket company Skyrora, Volodymyr Levykin, believes government commitment is crucial if the industry is to keep up with other countries and private companies, following the successful launches of America’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Chinese-manned spaceship mission last week.

To keep up with the examples he gives you first have to be somewhere close.
The UK hasn't sent a rocket to orbit since 1971 so are not even in the game let alone close.
Be realistic when asking for investment, the best any UK enterprise could realistically do is on par with Rocket Lab small launcher.

[alanr74]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57758410

Edinburgh-based rocket company Skyrora is issuing a challenge to find a way to retrieve the Prospero satellite.

The object was the first and only UK spacecraft to be launched on a British rocket, from Australia in 1971.

It's defunct now, obviously, but is still circling the globe on an elliptical orbit some 1,000km up.

Skyrora, who will soon start sending up rockets from Scotland, regards the satellite as an important piece of UK space heritage.

Space debris removal demonstration launches
Smart solutions sought to make space safer
Old satellites will need 'rapid disposal'
The company has already recovered part of the Black Arrow vehicle that placed Prospero in orbit.

[daedalus1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57758410

Edinburgh-based rocket company Skyrora is issuing a challenge to find a way to retrieve the Prospero satellite.

The object was the first and only UK spacecraft to be launched on a British rocket, from Australia in 1971.

It's defunct now, obviously, but is still circling the globe on an elliptical orbit some 1,000km up.

Skyrora, who will soon start sending up rockets from Scotland, regards the satellite as an important piece of UK space heritage.

Space debris removal demonstration launches
Smart solutions sought to make space safer
Old satellites will need 'rapid disposal'
The company has already recovered part of the Black Arrow vehicle that placed Prospero in orbit.

You need a return to earth capability, currently only Dragon is capable because it's an extremely difficult task. Be interesting to see what Skyrora are proposing.

[Welsh Dragon]

<snip>
You need a return to earth capability, currently only Dragon is capable because it's an extremely difficult task. Be interesting to see what Skyrora are proposing.

Soyuz and Shenzhou would like a word about return capability.

[daedalus1]

<snip>
You need a return to earth capability, currently only Dragon is capable because it's an extremely difficult task. Be interesting to see what Skyrora are proposing.

Soyuz and Shenzhou would like a word about return capability.

Is there room to put Prospero in? Either way, none of them can reach Prospero's height.

[trimeta]

Perhaps the most interesting part of that article:

Skyrora is determined to pursue its activities in as green a way as possible.

Although burning a carbon-based fuel, kerosene, in its rockets, this will be made from recycled plastic. It also wants the top section, or third stage, of its orbital vehicle to not only place satellites in orbit, but be capable of removing redundant spacecraft as well.

It's been busy testing a "space tug" that would do just this kind of work.

"The challenge of removing space debris and either knocking it into the atmosphere so that it burns up, or bringing it back to Earth, is one of the most important and topical challenges in space," commented Lord Willetts, the former UK space minister.

"It would be great if British enterprise and British entrepreneurship played a role in tackling this challenge."

I wonder how much this talk of recovering Prospero is more about capturing and deorbiting debris (possibly destructively) in general.

[Welsh Dragon]

<snip>
You need a return to earth capability, currently only Dragon is capable because it's an extremely difficult task. Be interesting to see what Skyrora are proposing.

Soyuz and Shenzhou would like a word about return capability.

Is there room to put Prospero in? Either way, none of them can reach Prospero's height.

Dragon hasn't got the room either, or can reach the 82 degree 534/131 km orbit, even if you were to certify it on Falcon Heavy. If you're going to think up fantasy missions, at least be comprehensive about it. This is just a PR exercise from the company.

[daedalus1]

<snip>
You need a return to earth capability, currently only Dragon is capable because it's an extremely difficult task. Be interesting to see what Skyrora are proposing.

Soyuz and Shenzhou would like a word about return capability.

Is there room to put Prospero in? Either way, none of them can reach Prospero's height.

Dragon hasn't got the room either, or can reach the 82 degree 534/131 km orbit, even if you were to certify it on Falcon Heavy. If you're going to think up fantasy missions, at least be comprehensive about it. This is just a PR exercise from the company.

No need for the put down language. I wasn't proposing Dragon, I just pointed out that it was the only return cargo craft...but still can't get to Prospero's orbit.
So as i said it would be interesting to see what Skyrora are proposing.

[Fmedici]

Skyrora-XL to be launched in 2022 from Shetlands:

https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd/status/1447835867364663299

[Star One]

A SCOTLAND-based rocket company has signed a deal with a Shetland spaceport that could see the first journeys to space from the UK by next year.

Skyrora, which has its headquarters in Edinburgh, has agreed a multi-launch deal over the next decade for the site on Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands.

The company hopes to send its 23-metre long, 56-tonne XL rocket to deliver satellites into orbit from 2022.

The multi-launch agreement with SaxaVord will run for the next decade, giving Skyrora the ability to build towards a target of 16 launches a year by 2030.

Once operational, the SaxaVord Spaceport is expected to create 140 jobs locally, with an additional 70 jobs across Shetland.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/19640314.skyrora-launch-shetland-rockets/

[PM3]

Skyrora develops Skyprint 2, the ‘largest hybrid 3D printer in Europe’ for rocket parts

Poised to start production in Q2 2022, the firm’s upcoming Skyprint 2 3D printer will be used to manufacture large-format rocket engine parts up to 2.3m in length for Skyrora’s satellite launch vehicles. The machine is built on the previously developed Skyprint 1 and will feature both metal 3D printing and traditional CNC milling functionality in the same workspace.

[Mighty-T]

First stage engine testing @Skyrora!
Hard to see the flame, though...
https://twitter.com/Skyrora_Ltd/status/1528712100553826304

[JetProp]

and I think the Reaction Motors LR40 aircraft rocket engine was the only one built with a similar cycle (though they had back luck with that which seems to have been what put the US industry off peroxide). I'd be very interested if anyone knows of other examples of this staged un-combustion approach.

11D217 of "Design bureau of power engineering", USSR, was designed and tested (fire test) at 1970-s. Works started at 1972 and ended at 1979.
Engine made for descent/ascent module manned lunar comples N-1/L-3M.
There were 141 static fire test of 67 engines.
Thrust at vacuum: 12 tonnsforce;
Isp vac.: 331 seconds;
Chamber pressure: 150 kilogrammforce/square santimetr;
Scheme: closed cycle;
Propellant: high concentrated hidrogen peroxide/kerosene;
Coolant of chamber: Kerosene.

Sorry my bad english.

[Dmitry_V_home]

RD-161P (РД-161П by russian): http://www.k204.ru/books/vrd/wiki2/PDF/Emash.pdf
Page 16

[Star One]

SKYRORA COMPLETES 70KN ENGINE TESTS IN LINE WITH ESA’S BOOST! PROGRAMME

Edinburgh, 23 May 2022: Rocket company Skyrora has successfully completed and documented a 70kN rocket engine test, marking a key milestone in its contract under the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Programme (CSTS). Being a part of this initiative is paramount to Skyrora’s journey, as it unlocks the next round of qualification tests and moves the company one step closer to its goal of orbital launch. This test, the latest in a series of 16, lasted 20 seconds, was completed within acceptable parameters, and was conducted using a different propellant mixture ratio. Skyrora will now scale up its manufacturing process, and will oversee qualification tests on one engine a week.


Founder and CEO Volodymyr Levykin said:

“Without the tireless efforts of our international team, this milestone wouldn’t have been possible. Everybody’s insights have been invaluable, and their spirit is a true testament to the passion shared by everyone at Skyrora.”
The 70kN rocket engine is unique in its design, and will be the first staged combustion engine on high-test peroxide (HTP) when qualified. Skyrora’s orbital engine, which was designed and produced on-site at the company’s recently-launched new vehicle assembly facility and with the support of the ESA’s Boost! programme, is a critical component of Skyrora’s XL orbital vehicle, used on the first and second stages.

The test was completed at Skyrora’s state of the art test site in Gorebridge, Midlothian, which opened in March 2022 and is the largest of its kind in the UK at more than 120,000 sq ft (just over two football fields). Skyrora is committed to launching in the most sustainable way possible, which is greatly aided both by its in-house manufacturing capabilities and by having this local test facility, which reduces Skyrora’s carbon footprint versus transporting engines and equipment to third-party facilities. The Midlothian site also uses rainfall from the Scottish Lowlands in the test stand’s cooling and sound dampening systems.

The engine was fully 3D-printed, and at the end of last year Skyrora announced that it had created the largest hybrid 3D printer of its kind in Europe, SkyPrint 2, which will come into full operation later in 2022. Taking influence from Britain’s rich space heritage, design inspiration for elements of this latest engine was taken from the Black Arrow Gamma8.

Skyrora’s Head of Engineering, Dr Jack James Marlow, said:

"The engine passed its final development test with all data nominal and all system requirements met, which is a fantastic team achievement. This test concludes a key milestone with ESA as per our C-STS contract, and now unlocks the next series of tests for engine qualification. Our unique engine uses HTP to power the turbopump, in a closed-cycle approach as opposed to Black Arrow’s open-cycle. This means we have higher engine efficiency while keeping the overall system simple. This allows us to deliver greater payload to orbit for our customers."
Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, Matt Archer, added:

"Huge congratulations to the Skyrora team for successfully completing this latest engine test and taking a big step forward in its journey to orbit. This innovative engine, which will be built entirely using 3D printing on-site in Scotland, showcases the exceptional level of technology and engineering skills in the UK. As we approach the UK’s first commercial space launch this summer, Skyrora’s manufacturing capabilities will further enhance the UK’s reputation as Europe’s most attractive destination for launch activities.”
Dr. Thilo Kranz, Commercial Space Transportation Programme Manager at the European Space Agency commented:

"We are excited to witness the excellent progress at Skyrora with the 70kN engine development achieved with Boost! support, and we congratulate the team for completing the initial series of tests successfully!"
The engine will now be disassembled and refurbished ahead of qualification testing, which will bring Skyrora closer to propulsion system integration and stage testing.

https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyrora-completes-70kn-engine-tests-in-line-with-esas-boost-programme

[Steven Pietrobon]

Chamber pressure: 150 kilogrammforce/square santimetr;

That is 14.7 MPa, which is about half the chamber pressure of Raptor. Great to see an closed cycle engine using HTP/Kerosene!

[JetProp]

That is 14.7 MPa

Yes.

which is about half the chamber pressure of Raptor. Great to see an closed cycle engine using HTP/Kerosene!

Becose Km (mass flow ratio of oxidiser to fuel) for HTP/Kerosene is very big (approximately 6), so power balance in licquid propellant rocket engine (I am dont know, how called this equation in english) easily closes (there are a lot of gas for the turbine).
For the 11D11 engine (projected for second stage of 15A15 missile) was variant at 280 amtosphere!.. (http://epizodyspace.ru/bibl/glushko/izbran-rab-glushko/1/05.html) At final version pressure was 150 atm.
Sorry for offtop.

[Steven Pietrobon]

For a closed cycle NTP/Kero engine, is the decomposed HTP only used in the gas generator to power the pumps, or is some kerosene also used?

[Rik ISS-fan]

I think it's catalytic and thermal decomposition of HTP into steam and radical oxygen that's used to drive the turbine(s) of the turbopump(s). This is later feed into the combustion chamber that is regeneratively cooled by the RP-1 fuel. But I could be wrong.

I really like the simplicity and efficiency of this cycle and propellent combination.
AFAIK this was used on the Bristol Siddeley Gamma rocket engines and the Blue Origin BE-2 and most likely other engines. So I don't really get how the Skyrora Skyforce turbo is so innovative.
If my understanding of this engine cycle is correct, Nammo UM-2 requires a quite similar powerpack.
The exhaust products with HTP as ozidizer contain ~4x as much steam [H2O (g)], because the H2O2 is decomposed in H2O and O before the O reacts with the fuel. I don't know if this has benefits, besides lower combustion temperatures. ISP is lower but density ISP is similar with HTP instead of LOx with hydrocarbons.

[Steven Pietrobon]

The Gamma engine was open cycle. The gas generator output was dumped overboard. See

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39674.msg1660143#msg1660143

The big difference with this engine is that it is closed cycle. I don't think there is enough kerosene to cool the engine nozzle. The Gamma engine used HTP to cool the nozzle which I expect their engine to also do. I think the cycle for the HTP and kerosene are

HTP Tank -> Pump -> Engine Nozzle -> Gas Generator -> Pump Turbine -> Combustion Chamber.

Kero Tank -> Pump -> Combustion Chamber.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.skyrora.com/post/skyrora-opens-the-uks-largest-rocket-engine-manufacturing-facility-to-bolster-british-launch-capabilities

SKYRORA OPENS THE UK’S LARGEST ROCKET ENGINE MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO BOLSTER BRITISH LAUNCH CAPABILITIES

British space company gears up for launch, with production commencing on three rockets at Cumbernauld facility

14 July, 2022 – UK rocket company Skyrora has taken another important stride towards achieving a sovereign orbital launch from British soil by opening a new manufacturing and production facility, the largest of its kind in the UK. After recently opening its engine test facility in Midlothian, this new facility in Cumbernauld allows the company to concentrate its launch development practices in custom-built domestic facilities, further strengthening Skyrora’s status as the leader in the UK space race.

The production of two Skyrora vehicles has already commenced at the Cumbernauld site, which will increase up to 16 per year once mass production begins. The site boasts unique capabilities for space infrastructure in the UK, as certain tests that would typically be outsourced to facilities in other countries can now be conducted domestically. For the very first time, the UK has an asset capable of conducting full-stage structural and pressure testing and full-stage functional and cold flow testing. Conducting these tests domestically saves significant time and costs, and represents a key advantage for UK space efforts. As such, the maiden testing of the second stage of the Skyrora XL rocket can now be performed from UK soil, having been fully manufactured and assembled in-house. This includes the assembly of the 70kN engine, the most powerful commercially-produced liquid engine in the UK, which has been built using 3D-printed engine components.

A critical milestone for the development of the Skyrora XL, the hot fire testing will see the second stage attached to a stand at the newly-opened Midlothian test facility as the engine simulates a real launch. This enables important telemetry data to be collected and analysed on-site. As a three-stage launch vehicle, the second stage of Skyrora XL will start its engines at approximately 62km before releasing the third stage at around 190km for orbital launch.

The Skyrora Vehicle Assembly Building in Cumbernauld consists of 55,000 sq ft of factory floor and office space, along with a 67,000 sq ft yard large enough to contain the entire Skylark L launch complex and future Skyrora XL launch facilities for rehearsals, integration works, and launch preparation. Altogether, the facility roughly equates to the size of two standard football pitches and can accommodate up to 16 Skyrora XL vehicles for assembly, integration, and launch per annum. The manufacturing and production site will generate new employment opportunities both in the North Lanarkshire area and in the rest of Scotland, boosting local economic prospects by accommodating up to 100 high-skilled technical and business roles.

Skyrora's Head of Engineering, Dr Jack James Marlow, said:

“This purpose-built manufacturing and assembly site, combined with the Midlothian testing facility, allows Skyrora to take direct charge of the development cycle in-house. As a business, we now have a full set of domestic facilities to allow for close control of the quality and rapid development and testing of Skyrora XL ahead of its demo launch. The site will also allow us to further optimise manufacturing processes developed by our colleagues in Ukraine and scale-up launch vehicle production in the long term, enabling further expansion and growth in the future."

Skyrora’s readiness to enter mass production comes at a pivotal time in the UK space race, as the company endeavours to become the first British company to launch a rocket from UK soil with its orbital vehicle, Skyrora XL. By 2030, Skyrora aims to conduct 16 launches per year from Saxavord launch complex in the Shetland Islands alone.

Skyrora founder and CEO Volodymyr Levykin said:

“To play a significant role in the emerging global space economy, the UK has to develop sovereign launch capabilities. This isn't just about offering different locations for launch, but everything that precedes that moment. Being able to offer end-to-end domestic capabilities from development, manufacturing, testing, and launch provides the UK with a crucial advantage as it looks to unlock its capabilities and deliver on its potential on the global stage. This crucial asset would not have been possible without the dedication and talent of the entire Skyrora team, both here in Scotland and in Ukraine.”

Levykin continued:

“We’re proud to be leading the way for the UK space sector, promoting further STEM job creation that will be vital to the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda. As outlined in the National Space Strategy, SMEs will be central to the Government’s wider plans for the space sector, and this new site is a prime example of this. There is an enormous commercial opportunity to be seized here, and a chance for the UK to play a key strategic role in the new space economy. However, in order to do this, investment is needed at the highest level of Government to support the efforts of private companies, otherwise we risk missing the chance to future-proof the British economy and letting talent slip through our fingers.”

Pamela Humphries, Head of Planning and Regeneration at North Lanarkshire Council, said:

“North Lanarkshire is an ideal location for businesses to set up and grow, with excellent transport links, support, and a skilled workforce, and we are very pleased to welcome Skyrora to the area. The company operates in a very exciting and dynamic industry and is ambitious for its development, offering many opportunities for other local businesses to provide support services which can only be positive for our local economy.”
The Cumbernauld manufacturing and production facility has been made possible in part by the support and collaboration with the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), who both share in Skyrora’s vision for the future of launch capabilities and assured access to space from these shores.

Ian Annett, Deputy CEO, UK Space Agency said:

“As we approach the UK’s first commercial space launch this Autumn, Skyrora’s new manufacturing and production facility in Cumbernauld will further enhance the UK’s reputation as Europe’s most attractive destination for launch activities.

“Scotland is home to around one-fifth of all space jobs in the UK and, by harnessing the opportunities provided by commercial spaceflight, we are creating highly skilled jobs and local opportunities in Scotland and across the country.”

[Steven Pietrobon]

Video of the second stage. Seems to be a bit of space between the engine and the bottom of the tank.

[edzieba]

It also appears to be hard-mounted with no gimbal. Which is odd, as the plumbing is clearly routed to accommodate bellows, but none are installed.

[PM3]

Btw, Skyrora wants to launch from the German offshore spaceport in the North Sea (which is not licensed yet by German government):

https://app.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/raumfahrt-viele-haben-das-damals-belaechelt-weltraumbahnhof-in-nordsee-gewinnt-erste-kunden/27584952.html

Besides of Shetland / Saxavord, of couse.

[trimeta]

Btw, Skyrora wants to launch from the German offshore spaceport in the North Sea (which is not licensed yet by German government):

https://app.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/raumfahrt-viele-haben-das-damals-belaechelt-weltraumbahnhof-in-nordsee-gewinnt-erste-kunden/27584952.html

Besides of Shetland / Saxavord, of couse.

Skyrora actually announced their interest in the North Sea launch facility over a year ago.

Edit: OK, not "over a year ago," I forgot how Europeans represent dates. Still, September of last year.

[Jrcraft]

Skyrora hot fired their second stage recently.

Look's a little "sooty?"

[Steven Pietrobon]

Skyrora hot fired their second stage recently.
...
Look's a little "sooty?"

For a HTP/Kero engine, that is very sooty. The old Gamma engines from Black Arrow were much cleaner in that you could hardly see the exhaust! Maybe they are using a lot of kerosene film cooling for the nozzle.

[Rik ISS-fan]

Shouldn't HTP-RP1 engines run oxidizer rich?
The main exaust product should be steam (H2O gas). It shouldn't contain sute, aka uncombusted carbon. Does this mean incomple combustion thus not so efficient engines.
They probably have some work to do.

[trimeta]

Shouldn't HTP-RP1 engines run oxidizer rich?
The main exaust product should be steam (H2O gas). It shouldn't contain sute, aka uncombusted carbon. Does this mean incomple combustion thus not so efficient engines.
They probably have some work to do.

I thought basically all engines (even ORSC engines) ran slightly fuel-rich in the main combustion chamber. Not that the exhaust we see in the video is necessarily consistent with "slightly" fuel-rich.

[Steven Pietrobon]

HTP/Kero stoichemetric equation is

2.9766*H2O2 + CH1.9532 -> CO2 + 3.9532*H2O

This has an oxidiser to fuel mixture ratio (MR) of 7.24. For a staged combustion engine, I get optimal performance for a MR of 7.3. The Gamma engine had an MR of 8, presumably because extra HTP was used for the gas generator. So yes, HTP/Kero engines should run oxidiser rich, making for an ever clearer exhaust.

[john smith 19]

HTP/Kero stoichemetric equation is

2.9766*H2O2 + CH1.9532 -> CO2 + 3.9532*H2O

This has an oxidiser to fuel mixture ratio (MR) of 7.24. For a staged combustion engine, I get optimal performance for a MR of 7.3. The Gamma engine had an MR of 8, presumably because extra HTP was used for the gas generator. So yes, HTP/Kero engines should run oxidiser rich, making for an ever clearer exhaust.

Funny how this works. 

Hear the cries of horror when cooling with LOX is mentioned, yet it's SOP for HTP, and N204

In which case the smokiness of the Skyrora exhaust is even less explicable.

[gmbnz]

This has an oxidiser to fuel mixture ratio (MR) of 7.24. For a staged combustion engine, I get optimal performance for a MR of 7.3. The Gamma engine had an MR of 8, presumably because extra HTP was used for the gas generator. So yes, HTP/Kero engines should run oxidiser rich, making for an ever clearer exhaust.

Can you even do regenerative cooling with that little fuel? Surely the delta-T across the regenerative part would be high enough to cause some issues in the Kero by the time it gets up to the injector - perhaps they need to flow a heap of kero for that reason, not just the chamber/throat melting reason? Unless they use HTP for the regenerative cooling in which case I definitely can't think of anything

[john smith 19]

Can you even do regenerative cooling with that little fuel? Surely the delta-T across the regenerative part would be high enough to cause some issues in the Kero by the time it gets up to the injector - perhaps they need to flow a heap of kero for that reason, not just the chamber/throat melting reason? Unless they use HTP for the regenerative cooling in which case I definitely can't think of anything

They normally use HTP as the coolant in the tubes for these kind of engines.

Kero would be excess over what's needed at the periphery of the injector array at the head.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.skyrora.com/post/second-stage-static-fire-engine-test-moves-skyrora-closer-to-uk-launch

SECOND STAGE STATIC FIRE ENGINE TEST MOVES SKYRORA CLOSER TO UK LAUNCH

Edinburgh, UK, 18th August 2022: Skyrora has successfully completed the static fire test of the second stage of its flagship Skyrora XL orbital rocket. Discover Space UK at Machrihanish Airbase hosted the biggest integrated stage test to be held in the UK since those of Black Arrow and Blue Streak in the 1970s. Achieving this latest milestone moves Skyrora one crucial step closer to entering commercial operations, with an inaugural orbital launch scheduled for 2023 from the SaxaVord Space Centre in northern Scotland. 

Skyrora COO Col (USAF, Ret) and former SpaceX VP, Lee Rosen, said:

“The static fire test looks, sounds and feels a lot like a rocket launch, but without lifting off! This hugely successful test was a definitive demonstration of our mobility and flexibility. Our Skyrora team went from clean tarmac to a full static fire test in just 2.5 days, bringing all the necessary equipment from our factory in Cumbernauld and test site near Gorebridge”.

The test involves hot firing the second stage engine to prove the vehicle’s operational capability for its intended payloads and ensure that its performance meets all the design requirements. It was successfully completed with all systems nominal throughout the 20-second burn, and the single 70kN liquid engine operated within design margins and achieved the expected thrust.

Volodymyr Levykin, Founder and CEO of Skyrora, said:

“With the UK striving to capture a 10 per cent share of the global space market by 2030, the successful Skyrora XL second stage static fire test is the latest milestone reached to put Skyrora on track to become a key part of the UK’s new space industry as the first British company to conduct vertical launch from UK soil. Skyrora now has purpose-built rocket manufacturing and testing facilities in the UK – as well as the largest 3D printer of its kind, which we are using to produce rocket engine components. We recognise the value that a strong domestic space industry will bring to the UK, and we will continue to spearhead these efforts to make the UK a player to be reckoned with globally.”

The second stage was assembled at Skyrora’s recently-unveiled Cumbernauld manufacturing facility. Part of a three-stage launch vehicle, the second stage of Skyrora XL will start its engine at an altitude of approximately 62km before the third stage is fired at around 190km to achieve orbital velocity of 28,000 km/h. Skyrora previously tested the third stage of its XL launch vehicle in December 2020, setting the mark for the first integrated stage test by a commercial launch vehicle developer in the UK. The first stage of Skyrora XL is currently in construction, with hot fire tests due to take place in mid-2023.

Discover Space UK at Machrihanish Airbase in Scotland proved an ideal test site given its geographical advantages and historical links. As a former military base, the site hosted a US Air Force detachment of strategic bombers during WW2, and was used by RAF and NATO air forces until 1997. The airstrip at Machrihanish was also a designated emergency landing site during NASA’s space shuttle era.

The completion of the second stage static fire test marks a key milestone achievement for Skyrora under its Boost! co-funding agreement with the European Space Agency, supported by the UK Space Agency.

Matt Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, said:

“It’s exciting to see Skyrora complete these static fire engine tests, building on the successful opening of its new production facility in Cumbernauld. As we soar towards the UK’s first commercial space launches, these achievements showcase our rapidly growing capabilities, and the increasing range of expertise that can make the UK a highly attractive destination for launch activities in Europe. We’ll continue to support the development of new launch infrastructure and technology, and look forward to following the next steps of Skyrora’s journey to orbit.”

Thilo Kranz, Commercial Space Transportation Programme Manager at the European Space Agency, said:

“It has been excellent to witness the successful second stage test for the Skyrora XL launch vehicle. This test is also an important step towards ESA's objective of fostering new commercial European launch services to become available in the near future. Congratulations to the whole Skyrora team!”

Andy Grey, Member of the Board at Discover Space UK, said:

“Discover Space UK is delighted to host exciting companies such as Skyrora who are developing new capabilities within the UK’s emerging spaceflight industry, as part of UK ambitions to be a science and technology superpower. DSUK wants to see the future of science and industry coming to Machrihanish and benefiting from our fantastic infrastructure and landscape.”

Watch a video of the full second stage static fire test here.

[JetProp]

For a HTP/Kero engine, that is very sooty. The old Gamma engines from Black Arrow were much cleaner in that you could hardly see the exhaust! Maybe they are using a lot of kerosene film cooling for the nozzle.

It is interesting. I think: this is the first version of engine, so, combustion is very bad.
It is usually - at the tests construction of chamber changes for maximasing full of burning.

[darklotion]

Snopes article about Max Polyakov and funding sources of Skyrora, summary below from the Snopes website:

Part V: Skyrora

- The Scottish space company Skyrora Limited may be funded, at least in part, by the predatory dating websites Snopes reported on in 2020, as well as the scam operations discussed in Parts II and III of this series.

- As U.S regulators began to scrutinize Polyakov’s ownership of Firefly Aerospace, Polyakov quietly became the majority shareholder owner of a Hong Kong holding company named Digitroom Holding, funding, at least in part, Skyrora’s parent company.

- Skyrora’s founder, Volodymyr Levykin, has been a key business partner of Polyakov since 2001. He has held executive positions at Cupid plc, Together Networks, and Noosphere Ventures itself.

- Using data provided by the Slovenian Ministry of Finance, Snopes can document the flow of well over $1 million from shell companies associated with Together Networks — including from the companies that charge people for recurring subscriptions — to shell companies located at the same address as Digitroom Holding.

- The individuals listed as the owners of the companies that transferred money to these Hong Kong entities, as well as an individual listed as the owner of one of those Hong Kong companies, have ties to either Together Networks or Noosphere Ventures.

https://www.snopes.com/the-grift-empire-investigation/the-grift-empire-part-v-skyrora-ventures/

[PM3]

Snopes article about Max Polyakov and funding sources of Skyrora, summary below from the Snopes website:

Snopes has been bashing Polyakov for years now for morale reasons: Polyakov made some of his money from shady dating websites, which is Yuck and therefore Polyakov's space investments are yucky. This is a failed argument IMHO.

[Kryten]

Snopes article about Max Polyakov and funding sources of Skyrora, summary below from the Snopes website:

Snopes has been bashing Polyakov for years now for morale reasons: Polyakov made some of his money from shady dating websites, which is Yuck and therefore Polyakov's space investments are yucky. This is a failed argument IMHO.

Skyrora directly owns some of the dodgy dating websites as subsidiaries. You might have been better off looking at the article first.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/andrewparsonson/status/1580494293415784449

An unannounced @Skyrora_Ltd Skylark L launch on Oct 8 ended in failure with the rocket falling into the Norwegian Sea just 500 metres away from the launchpad.

https://europeanspaceflight.com/skyrora-skylak-l-launch-attempt-suffers-failure/

[Kryten]

There's no launch footage here, all the actual info is in the video description.

On 8th October, 2022, the Skyrora team attempted to launch our suborbital Skylark L vehicle into space from the Langanes Peninsula in Iceland.

The vehicle left the launch pad and experienced an anomaly, landing in the Norwegian Sea approximately 500 metres away from the launch site. No people or wildlife were harmed in any way, and recovery of the vehicle is currently ongoing. Multiple tracking systems, as well as boats and aeroplanes, have been employed to optimise the recovery process.

Despite this anomaly, we achieved our primary mission objective to test all systems of Skylark L ahead of an orbital launch of our Skyrora XL vehicle. Skyrora is incredibly grateful to the Icelandic authorities for their support in ensuring safe and responsible launch operations.

We are also beyond proud of our hardworking team, who overcame severe weather conditions and long nights to gain valuable experience in operations procedures, logistics coordination, and execution of the rapid setup and pack-down of our mobile launch complex.

This monumental learning experience will help propel us forward in our mission to reach orbit from the UK in 2023, and we will continue to build further momentum through future milestones.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.skyrora.com/skyrora-attempts-first-rocket-launch-to-space-with-icelandic-mobile-spaceport/

SKYRORA ATTEMPTS FIRST ROCKET LAUNCH TO SPACE WITH ICELANDIC MOBILE SPACEPORT

Suborbital Skylark L launch attempt tests critical processes and components ahead of planned full orbital launch from UK in 2023

Langanes, 08 October 2022 - Skyrora has attempted to launch its suborbital Skylark L rocket from a site in Langanes, Iceland into space, marking another milestone on its way to commercial viability and the first vertical orbital launch from UK soil in 2023.

The vehicle left the launch pad and experienced an anomaly, landing in the Norwegian Sea approximately 500 metres away from the launch site. No people or wildlife were harmed in any way, and recovery of the vehicle is currently ongoing. Multiple tracking systems as well as boats and aeroplanes have been employed to optimise the recovery process.

Overcoming severe storms and freezing temperatures, the launch attempt was made possible with the support and approval of stakeholders across the Icelandic government, which signifies the increased cooperation between the two countries, having previously executed the pathfinder launch of Skyrora’s Skylark Micro rocket from Iceland in Autumn 2019. Since then, the company has been in talks with the Icelandic Government to cement the safety and viability of launching Skylark L to ensure it could be completed without risk to people, wildlife, buildings, or the wider environment.

Using Skyrora’s innovative and agile mobile spaceport solution, the launch attempt was completed within seven days of arriving on site. The entire launch operation was developed and executed in record time, with the packing of the launch complex - containerised to enable easy transportation and rapid deployment - and shipping of the vehicle and facilities taking less than a month. Due to the spaceport’s mobility, Skyrora was able to minimise the footprint of their launch operations on the surrounding landscape and wildlife habitats, leaving little to no trace of activity behind.

Skylark L is Skyrora’s 11m suborbital rocket, capable of reaching 4x the speed of sound and an altitude of over 125 km. 70% of the technology tested in the Skylark L launch attempt will be applied to the systems of the Skyrora XL vehicle, providing a key incremental learning opportunity to increase technological readiness ahead of vertical orbital launch next year.

Skylark L Rocket in Iceland
Lee Rosen, Chief Operations Officer at Skyrora, said:

“With over three decades in the business, I can assure you that despite the best design, build, and test preparations, anomalies still unfortunately do happen. Skyrora’s launch attempt of Skylark L has provided the team with valuable experience in operations procedures, logistics coordination, and execution of the rapid setup and pack-down of our mobile launch complex, experience which will propel us forward monumentally in our mission to reach orbit. We are delighted to have had the support of the Icelandic Government and the local Þórshöfn community for this launch attempt. It is a true sign of the strengthened relationship at the heart of European space efforts.”
Volodymyr Levykin, Founder and CEO of Skyrora, said:

“Skyrora is continuously propelling itself towards UK launch. Our launch attempt in Iceland is a testament to building connections between nations, as well as the hard work of the Skyrora team, who worked against all odds to make the attempt happen, including harsh weather conditions and extremely low temperatures around which our equipment has never been tested. Those on site are currently completing pack-down through those challenging conditions, and we will be investigating the nature and cause of the anomaly further once that process is finished."

“While this launch attempt did not go entirely as we expected, it has nevertheless been a valuable learning opportunity - and a huge victory for this new relationship between Iceland and the UK, as well as the European space sector more broadly. Based on what we have achieved here, we remain confident of achieving our objective of a full vertical orbital launch from UK soil in 2023.”
Skyrora Launch Workshop
Björn Sigurður Lárusson, Mayor of Langanesbyggd, said,

“It was a privilege for Langanesbyggd community to be chosen as the place for the Skylark L launch and to host the Skyrora crew. We have been informed about the project every step of the way, and this cooperation between Skyrora and the community will act as a role model for future projects in our small community."

“We sincerely hope that this project will lead to further development of the space sector in Iceland. The strong bond between the UK and Iceland goes centuries back. We Icelanders even call the 15th century “The English century.” This bond has now been brought to a new level through the Skylark L launch attempt from Iceland”.
The launch attempt of Skylark L is Skyrora’s latest milestone bringing the company closer to reaching orbit next year, following on from their successful 2nd stage static fire test of their orbital rocket, Skyrora XL, in August at Machrihanish Airbase, the first test of its kind in the UK in over 50 years.

Matt Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, said:

“This suborbital launch attempt of a rocket developed in Scotland is another exciting step on Skyrora’s journey towards launching from the UK. Our strong international relationships with partners such as Iceland are vital for our own launch ambitions. By harnessing the opportunities provided by commercial spaceflight, we are creating highly skilled jobs and local opportunities across the country.”

[FutureSpaceTourist]

This BBC article has brief video of the liftoff. Vehicle veers off straight away:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63239697

[Kryten]

 The whole flame looks like it's flickering. Combustion instability? If it's some rolling-shutter style camera effect it's not one I've seen before.

[TrevorMonty]

Why do they keep saying launch ATTEMPT. It was a successful launch (vehicle flew up and left pad), the mission was a failure.

[jcm]

Do we know the exact launch location? Here's my best guess:  about 15.2820W 66.2522N

[ClayJar]

Why do they keep saying launch ATTEMPT. It was a successful launch (vehicle flew up and left pad), the mission was a failure.

So, there was a launch attempt that included a liftoff from the pad followed almost immediately by an off-nominal condition which resulted in an abbreviated flight and apparently a failed mission.  Calling it a "static fire" or "wet dress rehearsal" would be incorrect, but calling it a launch attempt isn't wrong, even if it's lossy encoding.

Out of curiosity, can you have a launch without a launch attempt?  I mean, in the storied case of thermal curtain failure back in 1986, should that be considered a launch attempt, albeit only at the last minute?

[john smith 19]

Why do they keep saying launch ATTEMPT. It was a successful launch (vehicle flew up and left pad), the mission was a failure.

That's a bit of a subtle point most regular reporters would have trouble grasping. 

Did not reach all objectives = total failure to media types.

Clearly for a first launch of a new design a lot was accomplished, but quite a lot still remains. I'll wish them a successful mission with the XL in '23.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here a capture of the vehicle on the pad.

[catdlr]

This BBC article has brief video of the liftoff. Vehicle veers off straight away:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63239697

I couldn't get the BBC article to view the video (Chrome or Edge). here is a The Telegraph's YouTube Version

 

[john smith 19]

Here a capture of the vehicle on the pad.

I think what's really interesting is their operations. There is literally nothing there that they didn't bring with them. No concrete slabs or anything. Just basically 4 shipping containers with the whole "range" and control operation.

That's about as bare as you can get. Impressive.

[edzieba]

Why do they keep saying launch ATTEMPT. It was a successful launch (vehicle flew up and left pad), the mission was a failure.

No launch provider on the planet would declare a launch complete as soon as the vehicle lifts off of the holddowns. 'Launch' covers more than just liftoff.

[Steven Pietrobon]

That was very strange. When the vehicle lifts of the pad, there is no visible exhaust, which then appears and disappears several times!

[lrk]

It burns HTP/RP-1.  The HTP may not have been decomposing efficiently enough/at a sufficient temperature to maintain stable ignition of the RP-1 injected into the hot steam/O2.

[Kryten]

 New video. They are improving, but it's going from 'no launch footage' to 'almost no launch footage'.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.skyrora.com/skyroras-response-to-the-skylark-l-anomaly/

SKYRORA’S RESPONSE TO THE SKYLARK L ANOMALY

Skyrora recently conducted the first test launch of our suborbital Skylark L vehicle from the northeast of Iceland. After leaving the launch pad, an anomaly cut the vehicle’s maiden flight short, and it landed safely in the Norwegian Sea approximately 500 metres away from the launch site.

Following a thorough investigation into the root cause by our team of specialists, it was concluded that all mechanical systems aboard the vehicle were nominal, and that the anomaly was ultimately caused by a software complication.

The team will use the valuable data collected through the test launch to resolve this issue ahead of future launches. We would like to thank our local partners for their assistance in the recovery operations.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Did someone forget a hyphen in the software?

https://www.wired.com/2009/07/dayintech-0722/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1599690192570515463

It's been nearly two months since #Skyrora conducted the test launch of #SkylarkL from Iceland, a critical step forward in our journey to reach orbit. 🚀

Check out an extended video of the launch process produced with our friends at @TotalSpaceNet  👇

loom.ly/U8x-x6U

[john smith 19]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1599690192570515463

It's been nearly two months since #Skyrora conducted the test launch of #SkylarkL from Iceland, a critical step forward in our journey to reach orbit. 🚀

Check out an extended video of the launch process produced with our friends at @TotalSpaceNet  👇

That is a very bare launch site. 

Basically it's a field by the sea.

And they put a complete launch site there, then took it down again, which is very tidy.

True it didn't go more than 500m but it got off the pad and didn't destroy any of the launch hardware. Presumably they got a fair bit of telementry back and will feed the results back into skylark and their other projects. Without the uncommanded engine shut-down there's no reason to think they wouldn't have gone all the way.

There next flight should be interesting.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Engine specs from the video.

[john smith 19]

Engine specs from the video.

I'm no expert those figures don't look too shabby for a pressure fed HTP at sea level conditions.

Or is that just my ignorance talking?

The other question I'd ask is "What's the T:W ratio?" While 3d printing does (in principal) allow you to eliminate joints and "unitise" lots of stuff I've always been a bit wary of the quality of the material laid down.

Just my $0.02.

[Steven Pietrobon]

I'm no expert those figures don't look too shabby for a pressure fed HTP at sea level conditions.

Or is that just my ignorance talking?

That is not an ignorant conclusion. In comparison, the old pump fed British Gamma HTP/Kero engine used on Black Knight and Black Arrow had a sea level Isp of 2108 m/s (215 s) and vaccum Isp of 2450 m/s (250 s), so they are getting quite good performance considering the propellants being used.

[john smith 19]

I'm no expert those figures don't look too shabby for a pressure fed HTP at sea level conditions.

Or is that just my ignorance talking?

That is not an ignorant conclusion. In comparison, the old pump fed British Gamma HTP/Kero engine used on Black Knight and Black Arrow had a sea level Isp of 2108 m/s (215 s) and vaccum Isp of 2450 m/s (250 s), so they are getting quite good performance considering the propellants being used.

Wow. You're saying they are exceeding a pumped engine Isp with just pressure feed?

I knew the Gamma (indeed the whole Black Arrow programme) was built on a (tight) budget but I'd always thought they were pretty near the limit of the theoretical performance for this propellant combo.

My appreciation for Skyrora's execution skills just went up a notch.
[EDIT I'm starting to quite like this team ]

[briantipton]

I'm no expert those figures don't look too shabby for a pressure fed HTP at sea level conditions.

Or is that just my ignorance talking?

That is not an ignorant conclusion. In comparison, the old pump fed British Gamma HTP/Kero engine used on Black Knight and Black Arrow had a sea level Isp of 2108 m/s (215 s) and vaccum Isp of 2450 m/s (250 s), so they are getting quite good performance considering the propellants being used.

Steve, I hesitate to question you on anything related to HTP/Kero as you are something of an expert, but I have seen higher Isp quoted for the Gamma 8. Encyclopedia Astronautica has 251 and 265 for SL and Vac respectively, and these would seem more aligned with the theoretical Isp relative to Keralox. These numbers would also suggest Skyrora's performance is about what one would expect from a pressure fed engine.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Steve, I hesitate to question you on anything related to HTP/Kero as you are something of an expert, but I have seen higher Isp quoted for the Gamma 8. Encyclopedia Astronautica has 251 and 265 for SL and Vac respectively, and these would seem more aligned with the theoretical Isp relative to Kerolox.

Its always good to question the experts! They are human and make mistakes as well. I checked Encyclopedia Astronautica and they give their references as

[1] Kudryavtseva, V M, ed., Zhidkostnikh Raketnikh Dvigatley, Visshaya Shkola, Moscow, 1993. Russian-language textbook on rocket theory.
[2] Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma 8

My reference is

D. Andrews and H. Sunley, "The Gamma rocket engines for Black Knight," J. of the British Interplanetary Society, vol. 43, pp. 301-310, July 1990.

"My not-very-reliable memory suggests that the specific impulse at sea level was about 2108 m/s, rising to about 2450 m/s in vacuo."

I didn't realise that these values were from memory, which is notoriously unreliable! I found a second source though which confirms these values. From

H. G. R. Robinson, "The genesis of Black Arrow," J. of the British Interplanetary Society, vol. 45, pp. 149-154, Apr. 1992.

gives the Black Arrow first stage Isp as 218 s (2138 m/s sea level) and 250 s (2452 m/s, vacuum). The second stage had an Isp of 270 s (2648 m/s).

[Steven Pietrobon]

Wow. You're saying they are exceeding a pumped engine Isp with just pressure feed?

That is what Skyrora seem to be showing. The Gamma Mk.301 had a chamber pressure of only 4.14 MPa and used an open cycle gas generator (decomposing HTP into steam and GO2). Not sure what the Skylark L chamber pressure is, but being pressure fed means that there is no Isp loss from the gas generator.

I knew the Gamma (indeed the whole Black Arrow programme) was built on a (tight) budget but I'd always thought they were pretty near the limit of the theoretical performance for this propellant combo.

The Gamma engine was no where near what HTP/Kero can perform. The Skyrora XL launch vehicles uses staged combustion HTP/Kero engines on the first and second stage. That achieves an Isp of 250.24 s (2454 m/s) at sea level and 284.91 s (2794 m/s) in vacuum. The second stage has an Isp of 306 s (3001) m/s.

https://www.skyrora.com/skyrora-xl/
https://www.skyrora.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/payload-user-guide-october-2019.pdf

"The Skyforce is a unique staged combustion engine which runs on Hydrogen Peroxide and Kerosene. A closed cycle allows the engine to be throttled over a wide range and increase the specific impulse, without over-engineering of the design."

If using SSME chamber pressure of 20.7 MPa, 77.5:1 expansion ratio and 97.4% efficiency I get a vacuum Isp of 3223 m/s (328.7 s).

[john smith 19]

The Gamma engine was no where near what HTP/Kero can perform. The Skyrora XL launch vehicles uses staged combustion HTP/Kero engines on the first and second stage. That achieves an Isp of 250.24 s (2454 m/s) at sea level and 284.91 s (2794 m/s) in vacuum. The second stage has an Isp of 306 s (3001) m/s.

You're right those figures beat the Gamma hands down, although they suggest the Pch is not up to the sky-high levels of the SSME. I hadn't thought you could do that good with this combo, although I'd never actually run ISP to find out.

I remember someone (I think it was HMX) mentioning the Gamma's were built to a price and part of that was using a cast aluminum gearbox, which had a casting factor of something over 1.7. IE it 1.7x heavier than a wrought design. This had a significant effect on the T/W ratio.

It's important to remember that without the Waxwing solid as the third stage Black Arrow would never have put a payload in orbit.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1604763652598415361

Our Quarter 4 newsletter is officially here! 🚀

#Skyrora has taken a significant step towards the launch of #SkyroraXL with a suborbital launch attempt this quarter, and we look forward to continuing on this trajectory in 2023!

Read more: https://www.skyrora.com/quarter-4-2022-in-review/

[Steven Pietrobon]

Our Quarter 4 newsletter is officially here! 🚀

#Skyrora has taken a significant step towards the launch of #SkyroraXL with a suborbital launch attempt this quarter, and we look forward to continuing on this trajectory in 2023!

Read more: https://www.skyrora.com/quarter-4-2022-in-review/

Launch of Skylark L was on 8 October. More Skylark L launches are planned with the orbital Skyrora XL launch planned for the end of 2023.

"Skyrora was thrilled to conduct a launch attempt of our suborbital Skylark L vehicle into space from Langanes, Iceland on 8th October 2022 to test critical processes and components ahead of a full orbital launch from the UK at the end of 2023.

After leaving the launch pad, a software-related anomaly cut the maiden flight short, with the vehicle landing in the Norwegian Sea approximately 500 meters away from the launch site. No harm was caused to people or wildlife in any way."
...
"As Skyrora approaches orbital launch at the end of 2023, the demonstrator launch of Skylark L enabled the team to test 70% of the technology which will be applied to the systems of the Skyrora XL vehicle, providing a key incremental learning opportunity to increase technological readiness.

The team is already preparing for future launches of Skylark L to establish the launch heritage key to reaching orbit."

[moontomars]

Some more numbers for Skyrora. Haven't seen it mentioned, but they're charging GBP 30,000 per kg of payload for their Skyrora XL.

Another thing that I'm starting to wonder: They're going for a launch cadence of 16 per year (let's say in 2030). Orbex says 10-12 are fine in 2030 according to their latest podcast with EuropeanSpaceflight. RFA has just announced exclusive use of a pad at SaxaVord, who can support a maximum of 30 launches per year. Andoya has leased a pad exclusively to Isar, so there are only 10 launch slots per year left (maybe 20 if they build their third pad).

Where are these companies supposed to launch from? Has anyone taken a closer look at the validity of Skyrora's mobile launch complex? This is from their 2019 XL payload guide:

Numbers indicating: assembly facilities for integration (1) testing, rocket propellant infrastructure (2) including storage (3), filling systems (8, 9), a mission control centre (5), power supplies (6) and launch pad (11) and emergency infrastructure (13, 14).

I should mention that Skyrora has signed MoUs(“Memorandum of Understanding”) with Maritimes Launch Inc. in Novia Scotia, Canada, as well as the German Offshore Spaceport Alliance (GOSA) for a mobile launch platform in the North Sea in Germany. The latter is definitely still in the ideation phase, Maritimes Launch Inc. has apparently started construction according to their website.

[trimeta]

Per this article, SaxaVord has two pads "being developed in the first phase," with a third pad for phase two. So although RFA has "exclusive access" to one pad, that leaves another possibility for Skyrora. Doesn't answer how many total annual orbital launches SaxaVord is rated for, though.

Also, side-note, it strikes me as odd that SaxaVord, with seven different launch companies showing interest at one time or another, doesn't have a thread on this forum, even though Andøya, Esrange, Whalers Way, Bowen, Arnhem Land, and even the North Sea have dedicated threads. I know, "if you want to see a thread, make it yourself," but that seems like a lot of responsibility...which I suppose may explain why no one else has done it, either.

[jebbo]

Making a thread isn't that hard

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58095.0

--- Tony

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Derek Harris - Business Ops Manager - TLP Exclusive Interview
#Skyrora #Saxavord #UKSpace

Learn more about Skyrora: https://www.skyrora.com/

TLP Mission Briefing for Skyrora XL OFT-1
https://tlpnetwork.com/launch/skyrora...

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/skyrora_ltd/status/1643161777465696256

Our first newsletter of 2023 is here 🚀

We've kept busy this quarter preparing for key milestones that will move us rapidly toward commercial orbital #UKLaunch. We look forward to sharing the journey with you!

Read:

https://www.skyrora.com/quarter-1-2023-in-review/

[WmThomas]

Did the Skyrora Q1 2023 letter say anything? I read it, but I couldn't discern anything real about rocket progress.

[russianhalo117]

Skyrora Commences 70 kN Engine Qualification

[catdlr]

Skyrora Commences 70 kN Engine Qualification

Amazing, another use for shipping containers.

[edzieba]

Skyrora Commences 70 kN Engine Qualification

00:42 looks like a lot of oscillation/chug on startup. Could be a result of their 'staged decomposition' cycle, and that initial nozzle flow is from their peroxide decomposer bootstrapping and spinning up the main pumps.

[t43562]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001mwdn/the-sky-at-night-the-uk-space-race

The Sky at Night team investigates the incredible science and engineering helping the UK to blast into space. We are now one of the biggest satellite building nations in the world, and the race is on to be the first company to successfully launch a rocket into orbit from British soil.

Chris visits Skyrora, a rocket company near Glasgow, to find out how rockets are built and why launches so often go wrong. Skyrora are planning their first orbital launch later this year; Chris learns how each stage of their rocket is designed for a successful lift-off.

Sorry for those outside the UK as iplayer requires that one pays for a TV license.

This tweet has some of the footage:

https://twitter.com/BBCStargazing/status/1667169950321000450?cxt=HHwWhIC20ZOP_aIuAAAA

[PM3]

1st flight of RFA One in April 2024, from Saxavord. Will be 1st orbital launch from Saxavord.

In April 2024, another German firm – Rocket Factory Augsburg – aims to achieve the first-ever orbital satellite launch from European soil after blasting off from a launch pad called Fredo at SaxaVord.

Source : https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1783992/Shetland-SaxaVord-spaceport-launching-satellites

Express is a low quality newspaper. If this information is correct anyway, then Skyrora XL inaugural launch slips from NET late 2023 to NET May 2024. Which still is very optimistic, as well as April 2024 for RFA.

[Edit]
The Telegraph already reported in March that the first (orbital) UK launch won't happen before 2024:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2023/03/19/no-hope-uk-rocket-launch-2024-virgin-orbit-failure/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.skyrora.com/quarter-2-2023-in-review/

QUARTER 2, 2023 IN REVIEW

Term: April-June | Issue 6 | Date: 5th July 2023

A close look at the work carried out by Skyrora over the last few months.

A LETTER FROM OUR CEO

As we reflect on the past few months of activity, it is clear that Skyrora’s Q2 has seen several key advancements in manufacturing and testing as we approach the first commercial vertical orbital launch from the UK. From the commencement of in-house engine qualification tests to developing a new 3D printed model of our orbital engine, we continue to localise as much of the launch value chain as possible to contribute to the larger innovation taking place in the UK space sector.

For instance, Skyrora’s new 70 kN orbital engine model featuring an improved engine cooling chamber for increased efficiency was produced using our hybrid 3D printer, Skyprint 2, for the very first time here in Scotland. The refined design has not only halved the engine’s production time and significantly reduced costs, but it has also enabled sustainable manufacturing processes. The new 70 kN engine is currently being tested at our site in Midlothian to be qualified for commercial use as part of our contract under the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Programme. Completion of these full-duration static fire tests will bring Skyrora one step closer to bringing our flexible end-to-end launch service to market to benefit customers globally.

To further diversify our commercial offering within the new space market, Skyrora has commenced a collaboration with the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS) to qualify the machine, materials, and process of machining for our Skyprint 2 printer, enabling the machine to be used by third parties in the future. Once operating at scale, I am optimistic that Skyprint 2 will help meet the growing demand for a cost-effective, bi-metallic hybrid manufacturing service.

In parallel with these pivotal technical developments, Skyrora has prioritised engagement with industry stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) board, Scottish Development International, the European Union ‘Made 3D’ consortium, President Hiroshi Yamakawa and his colleagues from the Japanese Space Agency, and Rt Hon Jesse Norman, Minister of State in the Department for Transport whom we were honoured to host at our manufacturing facility outside Glasgow this quarter. These visits showcased the rapid development of our launch and manufacturing capabilities, including the second suborbital Skylark L vehicle within our incremental learning approach, the manufacturing for which is well underway. We believe that cross-sector collaboration is central to establishing a sovereign launch capability for the UK, unlocking the nation’s ability to contend on a global scale in the process.

As such, I hope that Q3 of 2023 will bring concrete actions from the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) to support pledges made within the UK Science and Technology Framework released this year, particularly within areas such as insurance and facilitating real change within the space sector. This is paramount to fostering a thriving and globally recognised space industry in the UK to ultimately obtain a nationwide superpower status in science and technology by 2030.

As we approach the third quarter of 2023 in which Skyrora will further progress our flexible launch services to reach clients internationally, I would be remiss not to extend my gratitude to those supporting Skyrora within the UK Government, as well as other stakeholders including the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Civil Aviation Authority, Scottish Enterprise, DiT, and DFT. Finally, I would like to recognise the team at Skyrora, who fuel our mission to reach orbit with their passion and hard work every day. I look forward to another quarter of innovation and technical milestones with you to match our successes in 2023 thus far.

Volodymyr Levykin, CEO Skyrora Limited

SKYRORA 3D PRINTS AND TESTS NEW MODEL OF ORBITAL ENGINE TO PREPARE FOR COMMERCIAL LAUNCH

Skyrora closed out the quarter by commencing a series of full-duration tests in space-like conditions on a new model of 70 kN engine to prepare for orbital launch. The successful completion of this series of tests will mark a key milestone within the company’s contract under the European Space Agency’s Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Programme.

The new engine design features an improved engine cooling chamber to increase the efficiency of the cooling process and, in turn, extend the engine’s life cycle. Engine production has been enabled by using Skyrora’s Skyprint 2 hybrid 3D printer for the first time, halving the production time and reducing costs.

Upon qualification through a series of tests at Skyrora’s Midlothian test site which will evaluate various parameters including life cycle and full operational envelope testing while the engine runs for 250 seconds, the updated 70 kN engine will become the first ever commercial engine to use a closed-cycle staged combustion system run on a propellant combination of Hydrogen Peroxide and Kerosene, generating a higher specific impulse that will increase the overall efficiency of the engine.

Skyrora’s utilization of in-house 3D printing in the engine production process allows for enhanced efficiency and flexibility in engine production, enabling rapid iterations and optimisation. By embracing innovative manufacturing techniques and thorough testing protocols, Skyrora is positioning itself at the forefront of the commercial space industry, demonstrating a commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and revolutionising access to orbit.

Read the full press release here and watch a full engine test on Skyrora’s YouTube channel.

PRODUCTION NEARS COMPLETION ON SECOND SKYLARK L VEHICLE

The manufacture of Skyrora’s second Skylark L vehicle is currently in full swing, marking a significant milestone in the company’s development and the subsequent launch of the Skyrora XL orbital rocket. The swift progress made on a second suborbital Skylark L demonstrates Skyrora’s commitment to advancing technological capabilities, with a second launch attempt of the vehicle planned in the near future.

This achievement is pivotal in paving the way for the eventual launch of Skyrora XL, which holds immense potential for the United Kingdom’s sovereign launch capabilities. With the launch of Skylark L and the resultant launch of Skyrora XL, the UK will gain a crucial asset in its pursuit of an independent and robust space program. The successful development and launch of such vehicles will not only bolster the country’s presence in the global space industry but also open a host of opportunities for commercial and scientific endeavours. Skyrora’s strides in manufacturing the Skylark L signify an exciting phase of progress and innovation, bringing the UK one step closer to achieving its goal of establishing itself as a key player in the global launch market.

SKYRORA HOSTS EUROPEAN UNION ‘MADE-3D’ CONSORTIUM MEETING TO DISCUSS ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING INNOVATION FOR SPACE

Alongside a team of international experts, Skyrora Ltd. hosted the most recent meeting for the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme’s ‘Made-3D’ project at the company’s engine manufacturing facility outside of Glasgow. The meeting brought together the project’s consortium of 13 pioneering industrial companies, universities, and research organisations in the field of additive manufacturing from across Europe to discuss how the project can increase the competitiveness of multi-material components and products for use in a wide range of applications, including the automotive, aerospace, and aeronautic sectors.

Skyrora has been awarded £500,000 through Innovate UK in association with the European Commission to contribute ground-breaking additive manufacturing innovation to the project. This funding will enable Skyrora to complete research with partners to produce a multi-material LEO rocket engine vacuum nozzle. Production will be enabled by Skyrora’s in-house hybrid 3D printer, Skyprint 2, which is the largest of its kind in Europe.

This innovation will allow for a 50% weight reduction of the nozzle, enabling Skyrora’s LEO rocket engine to deliver competitive advantage by carrying an increased payload to orbit to accommodate further small and cube satellite customers per launch of their orbital Skyrora XL vehicle.

Read the full press release here.

SKYRORA HOSTS KEY STAKEHOLDERS AT LOCAL MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO FURTHER CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION

Skyrora was delighted to host Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Joint-Interim Chief Executives, Paul Smith and Rob Bishton, alongside their esteemed colleagues, at our Cumbernauld-based manufacturing facility in May. This visit enabled discussions surrounding Skyrora’s rapid technical development towards the orbital launch of Skyrora XL from Saxavord Spaceport. This visit held paramount importance for both Skyrora and the Civil Aviation Authority, presenting a unique opportunity to foster a close working relationship between the industry and the regulatory body. This ongoing collaborative effort will ensure a seamless and safe integration of Skyrora’s innovative space technologies, facilitating the growth and expansion of the commercial space industry.

Additionally, Skyrora welcomed representatives from the Nordic Space sector organised by Scottish Development International as well as President Hiroshi Yamakawa and his colleagues from the Japanese Space Agency and Rt Hon Jesse Norman, Minister of State in the Department for Transport to increase visibility of Scotland’s thriving space sector and encourage discussions surrounding international commercial collaboration.

SKYRORA SPEAKS AT GLOBAL CONFERENCES TO ENGAGE WITH LAUNCH STAKEHOLDERS

Quarter 2 of 2023 saw Skyrora benefit greatly from a series of key events and engagements. Attending prestigious gatherings such as the Space Symposium and the DLR Industry Days provided valuable opportunities for stakeholder engagement and international business collaboration.

Business Operations Manager Derek Harris delivered a keynote speech at the Munich New Space Summit, followed by Head of Government Affairs Alan Thompson’s participation in a panel alongside representatives from the UK Space Agency, Civil Aviation Authority, and Federal Aviation Authority at the Space Comm Expo, which discussed the establishment of a robust commercial launch sector in the UK.

Skyrora has placed particular focus on the development of industry presence and connectivity, participating in parliamentary sessions, investment forums and international exhibitions such as the Paris Airshow to foster relationships with current and future stakeholders. Ultimately, these activities boosted Skyrora’s visibility, industry recognition and potential for partnerships and investments.

Image captions:

Skyrora CEO smiling in Skyrora engineering facilities.
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora rocket engine firing
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora's rocket engine firing at their test site in Scotland
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora's engine test site in Scotland
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora Skylark L rocket in Scotland
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora rocket manufacturing facility in Scotland
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora staff with CAA representatives outside Skyrora's engineering facilities.
Image Credit: Skyrora

Skyrora CEO with JAXA representatives
Image Credit: Skyrora

Space-Comm Expo stage with panelists
Image Credit: Skyrora

[Star One]

New article about the company and their future plans.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/27/well-launch-rockets-every-month-britain-finally-joins-the-space-race-skyrora-cumbernauld?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[catdlr]

[darklotion]

Do they have any production machinery in this factory? There seems to be just the finished parts and a couple of interns with half-inch ratchets.