HyImpulse Completes Successful Eighth Motor Test at SaxaVord

HyImpulse completed their eighth motor testing at SaxaVord on the Shetland Isles on 2nd May. The test also served as a demonstration for representatives from the UK Space Agency,  European Space Agency, Shetland Islands Council and even members of Parliament.

HyImpulse was testing the motor for its suborbital sounding rocket, the SR75. This is a single stage craft with a 75kN hybrid rocket motor. The rocket motor uses HyImpulse’s own tech including “space-grade candle wax” as well as liquid oxygen.

Their hybrid propulsion technology has been developed in order to make aspects of the space industry far more affordable and accessible. The German company claims that their tech can revolutionise the space industry.

HyImpulse Prepares for Suborbital Launch

This latest round of testing helped the company get ready to complete a vertical launch from SaxaVord Spaceport. The launch is now pencilled in for the second half of 2023.

Co-CEO of HyImpulse Christian Schmierer explained the progress of the project. With this latest round of testing, we are another step closer to achieving our demonstrator launch. We are delighted to host the UK Space Agency so that they can see our technology in action. This hybrid system, demonstrated today, will be a game changer for reducing the cost of access to space, getting small satellites where they need to go safely and on-demand.

Frank Strang CEO of SaxaVord also spoke about the successful test: “We have been engaged with HyImpulse for almost four years and our team has successfully been supporting their engine testing programme for more than two years.”

“We look forward to supporting the next steps in their development later this year, which will be the first suborbital launch from SaxaVord Spaceport. I am sure this will generate huge excitement and interest and be a significant landmark both for HyImpulse and our Spaceport in Shetland.”