Launch update: the mid and upper level winds are looking good today! But fingers crossed the low level winds stay good! 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Stay tuned! 🚀
Launch update: weather balloon launched. So far, so good! 🎈🚀
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
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
Here is a video from the spectator area!
18.08.2020by Skyrora TeamSKYRORA’S SKYLARK MICRO ROCKET LAUNCHES FROM ICELANDSkyrora 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.”
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
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!🚀
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
11.01.2021SKYRORA REVEAL NEW UK-BUILT VEHICLE IN LIVE TESTOn 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 TugBack 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 ServiceThe 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 environmentThis 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 VehicleThe 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.
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.
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/ QuoteA 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.
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 launchesSmart solutions sought to make space saferOld satellites will need 'rapid disposal'The company has already recovered part of the Black Arrow vehicle that placed Prospero in orbit.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57758410QuoteEdinburgh-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 launchesSmart solutions sought to make space saferOld satellites will need 'rapid disposal'The company has already recovered part of the Black Arrow vehicle that placed Prospero in orbit.
<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.
Quote from: daedalus1 on 07/08/2021 11:41 am<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.
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."
Quote from: Welsh Dragon on 07/08/2021 12:43 pmQuote from: daedalus1 on 07/08/2021 11:41 am<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.
Quote from: daedalus1 on 07/08/2021 12:47 pmQuote from: Welsh Dragon on 07/08/2021 12:43 pmQuote from: daedalus1 on 07/08/2021 11:41 am<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.
