Look into the Japanese SS-520-5 rocket. I would probably consider that the
benchmark for smallest-rocket-to-orbit.
“Standing just 31 feet (9.5 meters) tall and spanning around 20 inches (52
centimeters) in diameter, the SS-520-5 rocket was modest by launcher standards.
With Saturday’s successful flight, the solid-fueled booster became the smallest
rocket to ever put an object in orbit around Earth.”
https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/02/02/ss-520-5-tricom-1r-test-launch/
James Eadie
From: roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of R Dierking
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2018 2:52 PM
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Orbital and Sub-orbital Amateur Rockets
I’ve heard the orbital idea several times. Usually comes up around the
campfire and it’s an interesting subject. But, has anyone actually done a
feasibility study on this? If not, wouldn’t it be interesting to do some basic
research into the feasibility of sub-orbital - transcontinental and orbital
amateur rockets?
On Nov 5, 2018, at 10:52 AM, R Dierking <applerocketry@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Good comments. I was thinking south of the UK in the Celtic Sea. If it came
down in Ireland they would celebrate by toasting with more beers.
Probably wouldn’t want to plan on landing in London. Particularly if Kurt was
involved with the project. :-)
BTW: you could check your map and see there are nothing but fish on the way
there. Also, the termination of an amateur rocket flight gone wrong has
already been accomplished. Probably not the accomplishment I would choose to
have on my resume, but it’s been done.
Richard
On Nov 5, 2018, at 10:37 AM, Rich Silva <richsilv@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I dunno… But I would have serious issues with any “From here to a populated
area” flight until someone’s proven over and over again that they can
successfully launch “From here to Un-Populated Area” first…
And in the current scheme of things, flying an Amateur Rocket from the US to
any other country just seems destined for some disaster no matter if the
launch/recovery (for whatever definition of “recovery” you want to fill in)…
So how about from “here” to somewhere in the Ocean? Someone float an X
somewhere and you get your “Big Rocket” to “Mark the Spot”? (Or more fun, a big
Target… And name the project “Lawn Dart”? Nah, that would raise too many
eyebrows)…
Now, hey, I seem to recall a Really Big rocket project that was started a while
ago… a 10th scale Saturn 1B? I don’t know if it ever was flown or not… But all
we’d have to do is build a “Really Big Booster” (Or two) for it…
From: roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <roc-chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of R Dierking
Sent: Sunday, November 4, 2018 11:32 PM
To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [roc-chat] Re: Orbital and Sub-orbital Amateur Rockets
Where did you get the idea that California was friendly.
If you wanted to keep the distance down, it would probably be easier launching
a rocket from Florida to Cuba. ;-)
Please note, the subject isn’t "I want to launch a rocket across the Atlantic".
I’m not sure I would even want to be a part of such an endeavor. However, it
would be cool, and much easier than launching an orbital payload.
On Nov 4, 2018, at 10:31 PM, <mailto:Kurtgug@xxxxxxxxx> Kurtgug@xxxxxxxxx <
<mailto:kurtgug@xxxxxxxxx> kurtgug@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
How about baby steps first, say, here to Catalina. I think they are friendlies
too. And I believe they speak English also.
Sent from my iPad
On Nov 4, 2018, at 6:22 PM, R Dierking < <mailto:applerocketry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
applerocketry@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There are probably many people that tune-in to ROCchat that follow other
amateur rocket forums. I’ve been kicking around an idea lately. Probably most
people might consider it a crazy idea, but I would like to get some input,
particularly if you are aware of this subject on other chat groups.
So, Ky and CSXT (Civilian Space eXploration Team) successfully launched a
rocket to 100 kM in 2004. Wow, 14 years ago? After that, I heard that many
groups that were considering a similar project kind of said, “well, been there,
done that” and some moved on to developing an amateur rocket to orbit. Kind of
funny because I think that’s a crazy idea. Sorry, but huge delta V and the
large amount of politics one would have to work through for something like
this. No wonder it’s been 14 years and it doesn’t look to me like any group is
close.
So, what’s next? How about go higher? That would be cool no doubt. But,
who’s going to get behind that? Like, CSXT went to space, but we went higher
into space. Just doesn’t seem that exciting. Also, if you are going higher,
where?
So, here’s my (crazy) idea, and there are some good reasons why this would be a
good next step. Launch an amateur rocket across the Atlantic Ocean, from
Florida to South UK. Yup, it’s a long way; about 3700 miles. But, here’s some
reasons why this would be doable and pretty darn cool.
Atlantic crossings in various forms have been celebrated throughout history as
milestones.
The trajectory is east.
Instead of the difficult process of obtaining approval for an orbital flight,
you are departing from the US, crossing international water, and reentering by
a friendly country. And, they even speak proper English.
A sub-orbital lob would probably be much easier than managing an orbital
trajectory. For one thing, tracking and communication would be easier. And,
you know where it’s going to reenter. Could you really say this with an
orbital flight without retro?
Think about the high delta V for an orbital flight and what engines it would
require. It would have to be a really big rocket with the Isp of solid
propellents. Or, maybe take more than one liquid bi-pro stage. BiPros are
complicated to build, load, fly, and are expensive.
Sub-orbital even with a long down-range trajectory sounds doable with solid
motors. Maybe even hybrid with solid motors.
And, there are other things, but I’ve gone long enough. Please think about
this and I appreciate comments and even criticism.
Richard Dierking
TRA 11366, L3
