Starchaser Nova 2 Launch

Just crossed my mind the other day, but they are due to launch this rocket next month, has anyone heard if this is all still go?
Testing the LES I believe. Their last update was May so hopefully they have been working flat tact to get the rocket ready for next month!

Rob heard anything through the grape vine?


Iain

I havent actually, i might try and get in contact with Steve. I had initially signed up as a volunteer for them but nothing there either so i don't know if it is on or off! Interesting to find out though

Rob

Got this:

http://spacefellowship.com/2009/08/19/s ... -update-5/

Rob

Interesting, I guess we will have to wait and see then!
Out of interest the members section doesn't give a little more insight? I must join.


Iain

Well Septembers come and gone, still not even a whisper.......
Someone must be able to leak a little to keep us in the loop!


Iain

Guys

I spoke briefly with Steve Bennett this morning, here was his response regarding the launch:

"The launch has been put back until 2010 as we are looking to involve more schools in the programme. I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve fixed a date."

All the best to them, and good of them to keep in contact!

Rob

Starchaser was the first company of the alt.space that I've heard about. There was some documentary on Discovery channel, back in 2002, I think. That got me hooked. Then I've learned about X-Prize, SS1, Armadillo, SpaceX and all the other things that were going on. Things that were moving forward. It is really great to see how various teams and companies bend metal, do tests and make overall progress.

But Starchaser seems to be standing still in the same place. When did they launched anything? Was it Nova in 2001? Now they are expanding their members only offer, getting involved with more schools, doing more shows and tours, opened their exhibition center and so on. Just forgot to fly anything. They are not in rocket business anymore, they switched to fund raising.

I know, I know. It's not their fault that they run out of money. But I can't believe that they really couldn't launch anything since 2001 if they wanted to.

It's just sad and disappointing.

The original team to get me interested are back!

GET READY FOR THE LAUNCH!
Starchaser Industries has announced its intention to launch the
Nova II rocket 1 year from now in September 2012. Nova II will be
the largest rocket ever fired from the UK beating its predecessor,
the Nova I, that was launched from Morecambe Bay in 2001.

Pending CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) approval, Nova II should be
launched approximately one year from today.

A countdown clock for the event will be appearing shortly on the
website and will be a permanent fixture until the launch is
complete. Further details and project updates will be released in
due time; for more information check out 'Starchaser Industries Ltd'

http://www.starchaser.co.uk/newslatest.php

What a ridiculous announcement. They intend to launch a rocket they have intended on launching before a year from now with no details as to why they should be taken seriously this time around. Sure, Starchaser at least builds real engines, but without real evidence this looks all too much like another newspace investment troll with little to no chance of making a difference.

Well there goes my buzz hahaha!

I have to agree with TerraMrs. Did they just seriously put it in plain text into their announcement that their last launch was 10 years ago?

They generate a lot of buzz about education projects and all (which I think is good), but it seems they are way to focused on the "making a business out of this" side of things than the actual hardware...

It's simple - they simply don't have enough funding.

Trying to get money out of people in the UK for projects like this is like getting blood out of a stone.

I dunno it's not like there isn't demand for good avionics software or rocket engines in mainstream industries. If they can't state their business case in a way that makes sense to the people they're pitching, they should reconsider their business not try to make publicity stunts that ruin it for the rest of us who actually DO want to make real and successful businesses in the space industry.

Starchaser are going to 100,000 feet in 162 days! Getting close

Could they go for Carmack Prize?