As part of the next stage of research and development work preparing Polish suborbital rockets for flights in space conditions, the rocket is to reach the edge of outer space in Norway, POLSA informed in a press release sent to PAP.
“AMBER is the world’s first rocket in which hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 98% is used as an oxidant, i.e. one of the most ecological propellants. With this project and the technologies used in it, we want to prove to the world that elements of sustainable, ecological transport are possible in outer space,” says Dr. Eng. Paweł Stężycki, director of the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, quoted in the release.
Poles’ ecological rocket will fly into space
ILR-33 AMBER 2K is equipped with an innovative hybrid rocket engine and solid propellant engines. It also uses a number of modern technologies that can be used in other missile systems, including the OBC-K1 modular on-board computer, EGG1U pyrocartridges, pyrotechnic valves and the WR-2 mobile autonomous launcher. All design work was carried out at the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation.
The test scheduled for July is a breakthrough moment, experts from the Institute emphasize. The rocket is to fly in the same configuration in which it is to perform regular suborbital flights. It is also an important moment for the country’s space technology.
“The field tests of the ILR-33 AMBER 2K rocket developed by Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation are of particular importance for the development of rocket technologies in Poland. The Polish Space Agency supports the institute’s activities in this area. The competences and experience of Polish engineers in rocket design are currently the starting point allowing not only for participation in programs for the development of large space rockets, but also for involvement in the implementation of projects for the needs of the Polish Armed Forces,” said POLSA Vice President Dr. Michał Wierciński, quoted in the release.
As reported by POLSA, solutions developed under the AMBER program have already enabled the involvement of Polish consortiums in a number of international rocket projects of the European Space Agency, the European Defense Agency and the European Defense Fund.
“The system comprising the ILR-33 BURSZTYN 2K rocket is of particular importance for the development of rocket technologies in Poland. Planned tests of the rocket in space conditions are an important element of building Polish engineering competences and the development of Polish space rocket technologies. Especially since the ILR-33 BURSZTYN 2K is also a starting point for the development of advanced technologies for large space rockets, which are currently available only in a few countries in Europe,” noted Dr. Eng. Paweł Stężycki.
Polish rockets will launch from Norway
The rocket will be tested in Norway due to the specific requirements of such a mission. The country has a space center dedicated to space launch vehicles.
“The foreign nature of the research work results from the fact that the planned test concerns a mission in which the permissible fall zone of the rocket stages and systems is large and for safety reasons we carry out the tests outside Poland. It is also another test of our cooperation with foreign partners. It is extremely important because Currently, a large part of R&D work on launch vehicle technology in Europe is carried out internationally,” explained Dr. Eng. Adam Okniński, director of the Space Technologies Center at Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation.
This rocket, moving at a speed of nearly 1.4 km/s, has many applications. It can be used, among others, for atmospheric research, carrying out various scientific experiments conducted with the development of science, new technologies and industry in mind.
“We are optimistic about the next tests of the BURSZTYN system. It is already known that the rocket will be used in the years 2025-2027 by the Polish company Thorium Space. This will take place as part of the NCBR project entitled ‘Satellite system for remote sensing and communication of suborbital research rockets – PHASE II ‘, whose aim is to develop new technological products of the company for the space sector,’ says Dr. Eng. Sylwester Wyka, deputy director for research at the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation.
Source: Gazeta
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