Copenhagen Suborbitals

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Coordinates: 55°41′29.1″N 12°37′1.21″E / 55.691417°N 12.6170028°E / 55.691417; 12.6170028

Copenhagen Suborbital Logo.png
Type Non Profit
Industry Astronautics
Founded May 1, 2008 (2008-05-01) (5 years ago)
Headquarters Refshaleøen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Key people Peter Madsen (Founder)
Kristian von Bengtson (Founder)
Products Sub-orbital spaceflight
Rocket launch
Employees > 22 (all volunteering [1])
Website www.copenhagensuborbitals.com

Copenhagen Suborbitals is a non-profit organization based in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen. The organization's main goal is to develop relatively inexpensive forms of suborbital manned spaceflight outside of government programs and the influence of large, for-profit corporations. Founded in 2008 by Kristian von Bengtson and Peter Madsen, the project has accomplished a successful sea launch of a test hybrid rocket dubbed the HEAT-1X while carrying a full scale human model. This test was performed in June 2011 on a seagoing mobile launch platform in the Baltic Sea, but had to be aborted after 21 seconds at an altitude of 2.8 km when the rocket began to veer off course. Outside of their main stated goal to achieve suborbital manned spaceflight, Copenhagen Suborbitals has also focused on the promotion of an open source working environment and on fundraising solely through donations and sponsorships.[2] Their use of relatively simple solutions for complex problems has also helped set Copenhagen Suborbitals apart. Examples of this approach can be seen in their use of simple mechanical solutions over more complex electronic solutions, and their avoidance of potentially restrictive red tape by using lightly regulated technology in their rockets.

Contents

Background [edit]

Bengtson and Madsen during the second Launch attempt.

CS as the project is commonly referred to was founded in 2008 by Kristian von Bengtson and Peter Madsen, as an open source and non-profit project where important aspects of the operation are described in detail on blogs[3][4] and lectures[5] and funding is gathered through donations and sponsorships.[6] Within the project von Bengtson is responsible for the design and construction of the spacecraft. He is an architect and has participated in various space projects, design of new moon rovers and co-author of NASA's new Human Integration Design Handbook.[7][8][9][10] Peter Madsen is responsible for the rocket engines. He is an inventor, artist and entrepreneur. Before forming CS, he built 3 submarines; Freya (2002), Kraka (2005) and UC3 Nautilus (2008).[11]

The crew gathered in front of the static rocket test setup in November 2011.

Besides the founders several specialists contribute with work

  • Thomas Scherrer, Spacecraft electronics, comm-link.
  • Claus Nørregaard, Certified pyrotechnician.
  • Christian Ravn, Physicist
  • Niels Foldager, Space medicine, Dept. Flight Director.
  • Kristian Elof Sørensen, MLP-Sputnik Captain.
  • André Christensen, Recovery lead and Area control.

The group is growing, having 22 people with various skills as of August 2011, [12] but now includes around 40 (Jan 2013).[13]

Suborbital space flight [edit]

Drawing of the flight path.

From the launch site a rocket engine module, will carry a manned module called MicroSpaceCraft (MSC) near the 100 km boundary and into space. The two modules will detach and the MSC will follow a trajectory affected solely by gravity, within which the occupant will feel weightlessness. Gravity will then pull the MSC back into the atmosphere, where the it will be decelerated by parachutes and land on water.[14] If successful, Denmark will be the fourth nation to launch humans above the Kármán line which is the boundary to outer space, after Russia, USA and China.[15] Peter Madsen is scheduled for the first flight, then Kristian von Bengtson will attempt a low earth orbit mission.

Facilities [edit]

Interior of the HAB building.

CS started on a barge called M/S Half Machine in Port of Copenhagen. On 1 August 2009 they relocated to its base and office on Refshaleøen, the old Burmeister & Wain shipyard, in Copenhagen. Their main workshop is in the HAB (Horizontal Assembly Building) and they have recently added a Vehicle Assembly Building to their structures. For the sea launches the group has built a mobile launch platform called Sputnik.

Rocket engines [edit]

Drawing of the stacked rocket, with HEAT at the bottom. Compared with the finale rocket

Propellant [edit]

The group has decided to use a hybrid rocket, using liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer and originally HEAT was to have been fuelled with paraffin wax, but a ground test 28 February 2010 revealed that some of the paraffin wax had only partially melted, instead of evaporating. The result was that HEAT-1X had less power than expected. A ground test firing of HEAT-1X-P (P for polyurethane) was conducted 16 May 2010. It was positive, the polyurethane had the right power but showed heavy oscillation. As of 2011 the group has performed more than 30 tests of various engine types at their rocket engine test facility at Refshaleøen. In fall of 2012 a concept engine using White fuming nitric acid and Furfuryl alcohol was tried using a static test setup.[16]

HATV [edit]

Static test of the HATV at Refshaleøen 2011.

The HATV (Hybrid Atmospheric Test Vehicle) is a 220 mm diameter hybrid booster, used for testing purposes, it is 1/3 the size of the HEAT rocket. It produces approximately 12 kN thrust within a combustion time of 20 seconds.[citation needed]

HEAT X1 [edit]

Main article: HEAT 1X Tycho Brahe

HEAT 1X (Hybrid Exo Atmospheric Transporter) [17] is the rocket booster module, intended to launch the MSC Tycho Brahe into space, the combination being known as HEAT-1X TYCHO BRAHE. The rocket design is the result of numerous static booster tests of the solid fuel epoxy and the liquid oxidizer nitrous oxide. A combination which was also used in the scale-down test rocket HATV (Hybrid Atmospheric Test Vehicle) which is only 1/3 size of the HEAT. Stabilization of the rocket is by rollerons, a mechanism also used to stabilize missiles. The rocket was successfully launched 3 June 2011 but the test was aborted at an altitude of 2.8 km.

TM65 [edit]

Main article: TM65

TM65 is a Liquid propellant Engine using 75% Ethanol and liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer. This engine produces about 65 kN thrust.[18] First static tests were conducted in May 2012. The engine passed the test undamaged, and was fired at up to 50% of its rated thrust. The group plans to repeat the test with higher thrust levels.[19][dated info]

HEAT-1600 [edit]

The rocket engine called HEAT-1600 after the width of the rocket, is the biggest rocket concept by the group, and the one that is being worked on as of May 2013. [20]

Spacecraft [edit]

Tycho Brahe [edit]

Main article: HEAT 1X Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe being stacked.
Sketch of the Tycho interior.

The micro space craft (MSC), named Tycho Brahe after the Danish astronomer, has a steel pressure hull, with room for one passenger. The passenger would be able to view the outside through a Perspex dome.[17] The occupant would fly in a half-standing/half-sitting position, in a specially designed seat, and wearing anti-G trousers to avoid blackout. Another compartment contains both the high-speed drogue parachute and the low-speed main parachutes for deceleration. The sheer volume of the MSC will provide the buoyancy in the water upon touchdown.

The first MSC was christened "Tycho Brahe 1" and its first flight was unmanned using a crash test dummy.[21] A new aluminium MSC called MAX-1 named after Maxime Faget is under development.[citation needed] According to the group development on this capsule has been abandoned due to the physiological problems associated with large acceleration of a human in standing position.[22] The craft is now on display in the Tycho Brahe Planetarium in Copenhagen.[23]

Tycho Deep Space [edit]

Tycho Deep Space during testing of the Launch Escape System

Tycho Deep Space is a space capsule developed by von Bengtson. The first version officially named "Beautiful Betty" by Mikael Bertelsen, the capsule's protector.[24] The unmanned capsule was launched on august 12 August 2012 from sea by a test Launch Escape System, off the coast of Bornholm. The launch didn't provide enough height for the parachute to deploy and the capsule was partly damaged on impact with the sea. The capsule is 2 meter in diameter, allowing for the passenger to be in a horizontal position relative to the likely acceleration and deceleration during launch and landing.

Launch campaigns [edit]

The floating launch platform Sputnik with HEAT 1X Tycho Brahe, photographed June 2011.

The group originally focused on launching from a land based spaceport like Andøya, Kiruna or Iceland[25] The focus however turned towards a sea launch, just outside the territorial waters of Denmark. A permission to launch was given by Danish authorities, but the first option, the North Sea, a possibility suggested by Danish Civil Aviation Administration (Statens Luftfartsvæsen), was rejected in 2009 by the Danish Maritime Authority (Søfartsstyrelsen). They preferred another area and then gave a formal and written permission to launch from the military firing range ESD138/ESD139, which is located on the position 55°02′57″N 15°36′11″E / 55.04917°N 15.60306°E / 55.04917; 15.60306 in the Baltic Sea.[citation needed] It is just outside Nexø on the Danish island of Bornholm and is therefore nicknamed Spaceport Nexø. The CS then had to build a floating mobile launcher platform (MLP), called Sputnik after the Russian spacecraft which was the first artificial satellite to be put into orbit. Their launch campaigns includes the following ships:[citation needed]

2010: The first launch attempt [edit]

The first full-scale test-launch aimed at 30 km altitude was planned to be conducted off the coast of Bornholm between 30 August and 13 September 2010.[26] The vehicle carried a crash test dummy "Rescue Randy" instead of a human pilot, with manned flight not planned for some years. The success criteria were the completion of the sea voyage and countdown with launch and recovery planned as a bonus.[27]

On Tuesday 31 August 2010, the privately built Danish submarine UC3 Nautilus pushed the launch platform Sputnik carrying the rocket and spacecraft from Copenhagen towards the launch area near Nexø, Bornholm.[28]

A launch attempt was made on Sunday 5 September 2010 14:43 CEST,[29] but the motor could not be started due to a failure of the LOX valve which is assumed to be caused by insufficient heating of the valve. The design famously included a consumer hair dryer for defrosting the LOX-valve; in effect it was not the blow-dryer but its power supply that failed.[30]

The group promised to come back the year after to attempt the launch again.[31]

2011: First flight of HEAT 1X Tycho Brahe [edit]

HEAT 1X Tycho Brahe lifting off from MLP-Sputnik.

Having done updates on the rocket, and the valve, and with MLP-Sputnik under her own power, and a support vessel. The group sailed again for Spaceport Nexø on May 28 at 04:50 a.m. They again met up with MHV Hjortø, a Naval Home Guard vessel who serves as Mission Control and recovery vessel. The second launch attempt was more successful and the maiden flight took place 3 June 2011, at 16:32 local time (CEST) (14:32 GMT). The Heat-1X rocket lifted off and ascended to an altitude of only 2.8 km,[32] because Mission Control had to shut the engine off after 21 seconds.[33] Although there were problems with the parachutes, the HEAT 1X Tycho BraheTycho Brahe was recovered and the flight produced useful data for subsequent development of the program.

2012: Concept tests [edit]

SMARAGD Test [edit]

The two stage Smaragd in the HAB, missing only electronics.
Launch of the Smaragd rocket on 27 July 2012

The SMARAGD rocket ((Danish): Emerald) is a 5.7 meter[34] two stage rocket weighing 160 kg, intended to reach an altitude of 8 km.,[35] that was used for testing various technological aspects of the operation. On July 27, 2012 the team set out from Nexø towards the launch site, intending to launch the SMARAGD rocket[36] .[37] After some initial problems with the remote launch control[38] the rocket launched successfully just after 1 pm[39][40] and reached the maximum altitude of 8.2 km.[6] It was evident shortly after take off that the nosecone, containing electronics, broke off during launch, possibly due to the large acceleration of estimated 20 g.[41]

Tycho Deep Space with Launch Escape System [edit]

On August 12, 2012 at 9:18 a.m. the space capsule Tycho Deep Space, was launched to test a Launch escape system. However the parachute did not deploy properly and the capsule was damaged on impact.[42] Several media had misunderstood the schedule and proclaimed the launch to have been started prematurely due to an error.[43] The test was considered partly successful by the team, due to the successful rocket launch and the unsuccessful parachute deployment.[44] The launch could be followed live via live streaming from several video cameras, additionally high speed cameras were mounted on the MLP.[45]

The Sapphire [edit]

The Sapphire, a modification of the HATV is 4.5 m rocket with active guidance which was scheduled for launch in November 2012, pending software development. The rocket has however has not been launched and no announcement has been made for future plans. [46]

Goals and records achieved [edit]

Some of the things Copenhagen Suborbitals have achieved so far is:

  • Most powerful amateur rocket ever flown.[47]
  • First amateur rocket flown with a payload of a full size Crash test dummy.[47]
  • First Main Engine(s) Cut-Off (MECO) command sent to, received and performed by an amateur rocket.[47]
  • Handling and orchestration of a sea launch, by a "small budget"-organization.

Future plans and concept vehicles [edit]

The Group has announced that they will build an Orbit capsule.[48]

Support group [edit]

CS decided early that many small sponsors, joining just for fun, were better than a main sponsor with demands and pressure.[49]
On October 5, 2010 a independent group of space enthusiasts founded the Copenhagen Suborbitals Support group (CSS). The main purpose of this group is to "support CS economically, morally and practically in their mission". Within two days after its founding, CSS reached 100 members. November 15, 2011 marked a major milestone for CSS as 500 members was reached.

By paying a fixed monthly amount, the members of Copenhagen Suborbitals Support now covers all the fixed costs of continuing the project as well as donating various hardware.[50]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "FAQ copenhagensuborbitals.com". copenhagensuborbitals.com. 
  2. ^ "Mission Statement". copenhagensuborbitals.com. 
  3. ^ "ROCKET SHOP". Wired.com. Retrieved 25 November 2011. 
  4. ^ "Rumfart på den anden måde". ing.dk. Retrieved 25 November 2011. 
  5. ^ "TEDxCopenhagen - Kristian von Bengtson - Danes in space". TED X. Retrieved 27 November 2011. 
  6. ^ a b Melzer, Jonas. (27 July 2012). "Danes launch homemade rocket". Ny Teknik. Retrieved 7 August 2012. 
  7. ^ Connolly, Janis; et al. (27 January 2010). "Human Integration Design Handbook (HIDH)". NASA. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
  8. ^ "Article about architecture in space living. (Danish)". ing.dk. 
  9. ^ "Bibliography". Space Architect. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
  10. ^ "Spacearchitect:Members". Space Architect. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
  11. ^ UC3 Nautilus's webpage.
  12. ^ Personel, Copenhagen Suborbitals
  13. ^ Boel, Thomas. "Dansk rumrakets motor imploderede". www.ing.dk. Retrieved 4 January 2013. 
  14. ^ "Spacecraft Development". Copenhagen Suborbitals. Retrieved 14 December 2011. 
  15. ^ Geere, Duncan (23 August 2010). "Danish Volunteers Build Manned Spacecraft". Wired.com. Retrieved 25 August 2010. 
  16. ^ Madsen, Peter. "Spectra-testen". Retrieved September 10, 2012. 
  17. ^ a b "Spacecraft". Copenhagen Suborbitals. Retrieved 8 September 2010. 
  18. ^ "TM65 Liquid propellant rocket engine". Retrieved 17 May 2012. 
  19. ^ "En stor dag for suborbitals.". Retrieved 21 May 2012. 
  20. ^ Von Bengtson, Kristian (2013-05-11). "HEAT 1600 Concept Development – The Manifestation of Dreams and Ambitions (for Download)". wired.com. Retrieved 2013-05-12. 
  21. ^ Biliuti, Smaranda. [[1], 24 August 2010. By Softpedia "Danish Manned Spacecraft Built by Volunteers"]. 
  22. ^ Madsen Peter (August 18, 2012). "Store nyheder om store raketter". http://www.copenhagensuborbitals.com/. Retrieved August 22, 2012. 
  23. ^ "Rumkapsel landet på planetariet". http://planetariet.dk. Retrieved September 30, 2012. 
  24. ^ Olsen, Jev. "Capsule protector Mikael Bertelsen naming the capsule". Retrieved August 22, 2012. 
  25. ^ Translated Danish blog
  26. ^ LAUNCH CAMPAIGN SEP 2010, Copenhagen Suborbitals
  27. ^ Andersen, Kasper Brøndgaard. "Experienced rocket builder doubts success (Danish)". Ing.dk. Retrieved 31 August 2010. 
  28. ^ Jensen, Mette Buck (1 September 2010). "Nyt fra raket-holdet: Vi når Nexø kl. 20.30". ing.dk. Retrieved 1 September 2010. 
  29. ^ Raketten kom ikke i luften "Raketten kom ikke i luften". ing.dk. Retrieved Retrieved: 5 September 2010. 
  30. ^ Djursing, Thomas. "Powerless hairdryer stopped rocket". ing.dk. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
  31. ^ Kristian von Bengtson and Peter Madsen (6 September 2010). "Vi er stolte - vi er glade - vi gir aldrig op...(Danish)". ing.dk. Retrieved 1 January 2012. 
  32. ^ "Danish Team's Homemade Space Capsule Blasts Off". foxnews. 3 June 2011. 
  33. ^ Astrup, Søren; Lindqvist, Andreas (3 June 2011). "Flyt jer lige lidt, Nasa: Her kommer Danmark" (in Danish). Politiken. Retrieved 3 June 2011. 
  34. ^ "Copenhagen suborbitals aktiviteter i 2012". http://ing.dk. Retrieved September 2, 2012. 
  35. ^ Djursing, Thomas. "Smaragd-raketten gøres klar: Nu skal CS skyde højt…og ligeud". www.ing.dk. Retrieved 27 July 2012. 
  36. ^ Djursing, Thomas. "Alle skibe er på vej mod affyringsområdet". www.ing.dk. Retrieved 27 July 2012. 
  37. ^ Djursing Thomas. "Så står Smaragd skudklar: Se de sidste forberedelser her". www.ing.dk. Retrieved 27 July 2012. 
  38. ^ Djursing ,Thomas. "Skuffelse: Raket affyrede ikke...men nyt forsøg kl. 12.50". Retrieved 27 July 2012. 
  39. ^ Stage, Mie. "Smaragd er i luften". www.ing.dtu.dk. Retrieved 27 July 2012. 
  40. ^ "Danske amatør-astronauter har sendt en ny raket af sted fra Nexø". http://politiken.dk. 27 July 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012. 
  41. ^ Djursing, Thomas. "Næsekegle brød i stykker kort efter raketstart". Retrieved 27 July 2012. 
  42. ^ Djursing, Thomas (August 12, 2012). "Kapsel er hårdt medtaget efter fejlslagen opsendelse". www.ing.dk. Retrieved August 12, 2012. 
  43. ^ KROMANN, HANS CHRISTIAN (August 12, 2012). "Hov, hvad skete der? Dansk rumraket røg pludselig i vejret : Den danske raket blev affyret tre kvarter, før den skulle.". www.politiken.dk. Retrieved August 12, 2012. 
  44. ^ Djursing, Thomas (August 12, 2012). "Kapsel hårdt medtaget efter for lav flyvning". http://www.ing.dk. Retrieved August 12, 2012. 
  45. ^ LES/TDS launch. Copenhagen Suborbitals. 
  46. ^ Djursing, Thomas. "Ejection seat soon to launch". Retrieved 2 August 2012. 
  47. ^ a b c Translate Blog
  48. ^ "Blog describing the LES projekt". Copenhagne Suborbitals blog at ing.dk. Retrieved 13 December 2011. 
  49. ^ Jensen, Mette Buck (22 September 2010). "Only money for rent this year". Ing.dk. Retrieved 22 September 2010. 
  50. ^ "The official Copenhagen Suborbitals support group". Copenhagen Suborbitals Support. Retrieved 5 March 2013. 

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