Copenhagen Suborbitals to perform double sea launch of SMARAGD Friday at 08 UTC

Filip Larsen

According to the latest status and weather reports, the danish amateur rocket group Copenhagen Suborbitals [1] is still go for a sea launch of one or both of its two-stage SMARAGD hybrid rockets in the expected launch window Friday, July 27 at 08 to 12 UTC [2].

The first launch will be SMARAGD-1, where the second stage will be loaded with a reduced amount of fuel to test stage separation, is expected reach an altitude of around 8 km. If the launch of SMARAGD-1 is successful, SMARAGD-2 will be launched with a full fuel load for an expected maximum altitude of 20-25 km. A nice video presentation of the SMARAGD rocket made by the CS group can be found on youtube [3].

The event is expected to be covered by a live transmission on livestream [4] and I will post relevant news to this thread as the event proceeds.


[1] http://www.copenhagensuborbitals.com/
[2] http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/rocketshop
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YVr3V03ktA
[4] http://www.livestream.com/csscph

Filip Larsen

The sea launch platform, Sputnik, and its support vessels are in position in the launch area. The preparations for the first launch are proceeding according to plan.

Interested can watch live video feed on http://www.livestream.com/csscph with audio commentary in English at http://www.livestream.com/cssaarhus

Video feeds may only work intermittently due to signals having to go over radio link from 30 km off shore. The video feed from the platform may be shaking a bit due to the platforms diesel engine (expected to be turned off right before launch).

First launch attempt failed due to a problem with the ignition signal, apparently from interference from the voice VHF link and misaligned antennas.

Filip Larsen

Second launch attempt under way.

Update: Launch area clear and ready for launch. Payload electronics and camera have been recharged and is operational. Final go/no-go has been completed. Launch in progress. Launch confirmed. Payload section of SMARAGD has been located and is being retrieved. The crew is preparing to return to port Nexø.

I will post relevant debrief information here when it becomes available from the group.