MicroSat Launcher Prototype Flight, Sept.18, 1999

This vehicle is designed to carry a 2 kg payload to low Earth orbit.

Images can be clicked on to see a larger image.

Walking the Vehicle Out Tipping the scales at 40 pounds, this is our heaviest rocket to date.
Final Prep This vehicles features an all composite structure, computer controlled flight system, cold gas parachute ejection and a Mach 4 plus wedge fin configuration.
Rotating to Vertical Although destine to be launched from a high altitude airship, the MicroSat Launcher will go through a series of ground launched flight tests.
Liftoff ! This first test flight utilized a small 7600 n/s rocket motor. The rocket flew to 10,000 feet with a velocity of just over Mach one. As part of the test, the rocket carried the full CATS prize payload (2 kgs).
Descent The rocket decended on it's eight foot parachute to a perfect landing. The fully reusable vehicle could be refueled and ready to fly again in under an hour.
A Happy Flight Team The rocket performed right on the marks. The next flight test will be with the lower booster stage.

Configuration with Booster

Back to the JPA home page.