Development and Projected Performance of the Red Kite Sounding Rocket Motor

Abstract

Averaging about ten launches per year, DLR Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) has been supporting rocket borne research for more than five decades. Major fields of experimentation include atmospheric physics, microgravity-based research in material physics and biology as well as hypersonic flight research and technology development. Over the last decade, a sustained demand has evolved for sounding rocket vehicles with the capacity to deliver payloads in the order of 400 kg gross mass into trajectories with apogees beyond 250 km or extended dwell time in the hypersonic regime. To leverage cost efficient and reliable military surplus motors such as the Improved Malemute for use in this regime, DLR has contracted Bayern-Chemie GmbH for a joint development and delivery of a suitable solid propellant motor to be used as a first stage. Currently in project phase C, the definition of the motor performance, materials and design are completed and manufacturing of first components has begun. The paper gives an overview of the motor performance and safety characteristics, applications of the motor in vehicle combinations with their projected performances and a schedule of tasks until qualification flight.