I just noticed that, for added Australian-ness, there is a spider on the Vegemite.

https://aus.social/@spacelizard/114950497701214719

#Space #Spaceflight #GilmourSpace #ErisRocket #TestFlight1

It's OK, they found the Vegemite.

#Space #Spaceflight #GilmourSpace #ErisRocket #TestFlight1

Scott Manley's take on Eris TestFlight1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98haEggTw4A

He adds some interesting details about the design of the rocket, e.g. the use of fixed main engine nozzles with reaction control thrusters.

#Space #Spaceflight #GilmourSpace #ErisRocket #TestFlight1

Gilmour Space have posted a couple of good photos of the brief flight of Eris TestFlight 1 on their Facebook page, along with a very positive take on events.

In the second photo, a closeup of the flamey end of the rocket very soon after liftoff, it looks like the hybrid rocket motor furthest from the camera was already failing.

Something else I noticed in the livestream video, when the rocket crashed it did not result in a powerful explosion and huge fireball. Instead there were clouds of white vapour, followed later by darker smoke from a smallish fire. This is because the first two stages of the Eris rocket use hybrid rocket motors, which because of the combination of solid fuel and liquid oxidiser don't explode in the way a liquid fuelled rocket would. The white clouds would have been the oxidiser (hydrogen peroxide?) escaping, and the subsequent fire would have been the result of the liquid fuelled 3rd stage breaking up, plus the solid fuel from the 1st and 2nd stage burning slowly in the open air.

#Space #Spaceflight #GilmourSpace #ErisRocket

Gilmour Space got going early this morning and did launch their Eris rocket for the first time, but unfortunately it was a very brief flight.

The rocket did clear the tower and remained pointy end up, flamey end down throughout, but only managed to achieve a maximum altitude of about 50 metres before descending again, and broke up when it hit the ground.

Here's the section of the unofficial Aussienaut livestream that covers the launch and flight: https://www.youtube.com/live/3-4xv0UxIhY?t=5554

#Space #Spaceflight #GilmourSpace #ErisRocket

*sigh*

The launch is scrubbed.

That Vegemite remains earthbound for at least one more day.

#Space #Spaceflight #GilmourSpace #ErisRocket