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Armadillo Aerospace reach orbit!
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Space Station Commander ![]() ![]()
Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:44 am
Posts: 707 Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands ![]() |
Well that's a surprise! From the new update:
Quote: On March 31st, 2012, Armadillo Aerospace launched its new rocket Stigbee into orbit from Spaceport America. The first stage landed safely in the Gulf of Mexico, while the second stage is currently orbiting Earth in a 180km, 37° inclination orbit. The Rocket Stigbee is a mostly new rocket, with a first stage consisting of seven Stiga-type modules, and a new second stage that is basically a scaled-up version of Stiga with an extended nozzle optimized for vacuum operation. We have now automated a large part of the production process, so that we will be able to manufacture more modules at a rate of about one per week. And from further down the page: Quote: Stigbee's first stage accelerated the rocket to 160 km altitude and a speed of about 2500 m/s. First stage engine cut-off occurred after 230s, after which stage separation was initiated. Telemetry indicated a failed initial attempt, but thanks to an automatic retry the stages separated successfully a few seconds later. The second stage was then ignited and further accelerated into orbit. The first stage coasted further out over the Gulf of Mexico for an additional 30s, and then successfully deployed its ballute. It descended under ballute to an altitude of 15 km, at which point the ballute was jettisoned and the Wamore Air Guidance Unit (AGU) parachute deployed. The Wamore system steered the vehicle to a predetermined set of GPS coordinates. At an altitude of 500m, the parachute was jettisoned and four of the first stage engines were reignited for a powered landing on the helipad of a Gulf oil rig owned by Texaco, and made available to Armadillo Aerospace for this mission. More on the AA website! _________________ Say, can you feel the thunder in the air? Just like the moment ’fore it hits – then it’s everywhere What is this spell we’re under, do you care? The might to rise above it is now within your sphere Machinae Supremacy – Sid Icarus |
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Moon Mission Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2003 8:46 pm
Posts: 1218 Location: Kapellen, Antwerp, Belgium, Europe, Planet Earth, the Milky Way Galaxy ![]() |
I loved the live web broadcast, hopefully they will share a video of it soon for all those who missed it!
![]() _________________ Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible. - Lord Kelvin, 1892 |
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Space Station Member ![]() ![]()
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:51 am
Posts: 455 Location: Vienna, Austria, Europe, Earth ![]() |
Haha, nice try
![]() _________________ pride comes before a fall |
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Rocket Constructor ![]() ![]()
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:45 pm
Posts: 5 ![]() |
Ha Ha.....you almost had me until the parachutes worked......lol
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Spaceflight Enthusiast ![]() ![]()
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:23 pm
Posts: 2 ![]() |
Parachutes to slow the decent of the first stage, to avoid/lessen chances for accidents? (so animals can spot it, perhaps make it noisy as well).
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