Hybrid experimental rocket stuttgart: A low-cost technology demonstrator

Abstract

On 8 November 2016 at 1030 hrs, the Hybrid Experimental Rocket Stuttgart (HEROS) 3 was launched from the European Space and Sounding Rocket Range (ESRANGE) Space Center to an apogee altitude of 32,300 m (106,000 ft). This set a new altitude record for European student and amateur rocketry and a world altitude record for hybrid rockets built by students. The 7.5-m-long rocket was using nitrous oxide (N2O) and a paraffin-based fuel to produce 10,000 N of thrust. The dry mass of the rocket was only 75 kg thanks to a carbon fiber structure for the most part. The rocket performed the record-breaking flight at perfect weather and visibility conditions, reaching a maximum airspeed of 720 m/s and Mach 2.3. The rocket performed a soft landing with two parachutes and can be reused. Flight data and engine performance data are published and analyzed. The flight data show excellent stability of the rocket. Engine performance data prove very high efficiency and stable combustion. The subsystem design and verification before the launch is reported. Engine and flight trajectory simulations show very good agreement with the flight data. Furthermore, the overall project, rocket design, and subsystems, as well as the launch campaign, are presented here in detail.