HEROS - Sounding Rocket Development by the HyEnD Project

Abstract

The student team Hybrid Engine Development (HyEnD) of the University of Stuttgart is taking part with the Institute of Space Systems (IRS) in the DLR educational program STERN (Studentische Experimentalraketen). This program supports students at German universities to design, build and launch an experimental rocket within 3 years. HyEnD is developing a hybrid rocket called HEROS (Hybrid Experimental Rocket Stuttgart) with a thrust of 10 kN, a total impulse of over 100 kNs and an expected lift off weight up to 175 kg. HEROS is aimed to be launched in October 2015 from Esrange in Sweden to an expected flight altitude of 40 to 50 km. The current altitude record for amateur rockets in Europe is at approximately 12.5 km. HEROS’ hybrid rocket engine HyRES uses a paraffin-based solid fuel and nitrous oxide as the liquid oxidizer. In the course of the STERN program the student team not only has to master the difficulties of a high thrust hybrid rocket engine but also the development of a light weight oxidizer tank, valves, rocket structure, recovery system and electronics. Concluding, the development and construction of a lightweight hybrid sounding rocket for the given requirements and budget is described herein.