Authors
The Space Technologies Center of Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, info@ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl, leads the project.
Project manager: Michał Pakosz, michal.pakosz@ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
Chief engineer: Bartosz Bartkowiak, bartosz.bartkowiak@ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
Aim of the project
The ILR-33 AMBER 2K rocket is a suborbital vehicle designed by the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation. It is offered as an autonomous product as well as a research platform. The main stage is propelled by a hybrid rocket motor and is assisted by two solid rocket strap-on boosters, which enable adapting the mission to specific payload needs.
Short description of the problem addressed by the project
AMBER is a sustainable suborbital vehicle used to conduct upper-atmospheric and microgravity research.
The rocket is being developed with future scientific and industrial users in mind. It is expected that the rocket will provide cost-efficient, dedicated access to microgravity conditions at high altitudes, allowing for atmospheric sounding and astronomy missions.
In the near term, the rocket will be used as a technology platform within the satellite sensing and communication system for the suborbital rockets (SUBCOM) project and it will transport the communication payloads. Four rockets are currently being built. Options for launching sounding rockets from Europe are usually restricted to Black Brants and other American or Brazilian rockets launched from Norway and Sweden. The institute’s suborbital in-flight experimentation platform, the ILR-33 AMBER rocket, has been the workhorse for propulsion and space transportation technologies development, including HTP.
Main results and achievements
- World’s first rocket utilizing H2O2 in concentration exceeding 98% (hydrogen peroxide 98%+).
- It utilizes an innovative hybrid rocket motor that has already been flight-tested. There are no hybrid-sounding rockets in service currently.
- AMBER rocket ensures a cost-effective approach to suborbital flights.
- Flexibility – due to the utilization of hybrid propulsion together with solid rocket motors, the possibility of adjustment to a wide range of missions is ensured.
- The rocket has been already four times tested in flight.
Conclusion
The AMBER rocket project is based on extensive scientific and technological developments. It was necessary to broaden competencies in such aspects as rocket propulsion, mechanics, aerodynamics, electronics, and chemistry. During the course of the project, cooperation with over 300 domestic entities has been established (including industrial partners, research institutes, and the Polish Army). The developed system, being an innovative solution, may allow companies to engage in larger international projects – both in the area of suborbital rockets and platforms that can launch satellites into Low Earth Orbit.
Apart from scientific aspects, the very high commercialization potential of the developed technologies can be noticed. Currently, further development work on the AMBER systems is being conducted. Flights aiming at higher ceilings are planned in the current and following years. This will result in the final confirmation of the functionality of the developed systems. Follow-up external projects are being negotiated.
Because of their high potential, the technical solutions developed during the project are being used in national and international activities conducted by the Lukasiewicz Institute of Aviation.
Acknowledgements
Development and funding for the rocket is provided by the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, Poland.
Person to contact for further information about the innovation and person to contact about communication aspects (press releases, articles, etc.) is Iwona Przygoda, iwona.przygoda@ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl.
