Engineering news
The second stage of Skyrora’s flagship XL orbital rocket underwent testing at Machrihanish Airbase on the Kintyre peninsula.
The test moves the Edinburgh-headquartered firm closer to commercial operations, with an inaugural orbital launch scheduled for 2023 from the SaxaVord Space Centre in the Shetland Island of Unst.
“The static fire test looks, sounds and feels a lot like a rocket launch, but without lifting off,” said Skyrora chief operating officer Lee Rosen. “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 two-and-a-half days, bringing all the necessary equipment from our factory in Cumbernauld and test site near Gorebridge.”
The ground test involved firing the second stage engine to prove the vehicle’s operational capability for its intended payloads, ensuring that its performance meets all the design requirements. It was successfully completed with all systems ‘nominal’ throughout the 20 second burn, Skyrora said, and the single 70kN liquid engine operated within design margins and achieved the expected thrust.
“With the UK striving to capture a 10% 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,” said founder and CEO Volodymyr Levykin.
“现在Skyrora 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.”
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 about 190km to achieve orbital velocity of 28,000km/h. Skyrora previously tested thethird stagein December 2020, while the first stage is in construction and due for hot fire tests in mid-2023.
The rocket will stand at over 22m, and will carry up to 315kg to orbit. Its orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) will be able to refire its engines about 15 times in orbit to complete extra tasks – acting as a ‘space tug’, carrying out maintenance, or de-orbiting defunct satellites.
“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,” said Matt Archer, director of commercial spaceflight at the UK Space Agency. “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.”
Watch a video of the full second stage static fire testhere.
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