Putting Britain back into space - that's the message being broadcast, not from the British National Space Centre (BNSC) pavilion but a small booth on the Lancashire Association of Aerospace Companies.
Here at Hall3/E11 stands Britain's hope of making its "first space shot in more than 25 years". It's called Starchaser 2, a 6m-high rocket whose Tate and Lyle logo reflects the unique sugar-based fuel of its hybrid motor.
The Starchaser 2 achieved sweet success when it flew to an altitude of 1,970ft (600m) on a test flight from Cheshire, UK on 2 February. Now, its originator, "acclaimed amateur rocket scientist" Steve Bennett, plans to develop a series of high-performance, re-usable sub-orbital rocket vehicles for use by British researchers.
He will be assisted by Prototype and Design Services (PDS) of Nelson, Lancashire, a company which makes parts for the jet engine-propelled Thrust SSC car which, it is planned, will be driven by the "fastest man in the world."
Scientific packages
Bennett's next rocket, the LEXX, will be able to carry small scientific packages to an altitude of 26,400ft in 1997 "...breaking the world altitude record for amateur rockets".
The LEXX will bridge the technology gap between the Starchaser 2 and the planned Starchaser 3 space rocket, which will be able to carry 500kg to an altitude of more than 260,000ft by 1997.
Its hybrid motor is being tested at Bristol University and the University of the West of England. The rocket "...offers many unique opportunities for testing a variety of propulsion systems", says PDS. Both liquid and hybrid propulsion systems are also being considered for future flights.
"Access to space will become an affordable reality for many British researchers," says the Starchaser Club which has been established at Dunkfield, UK to raise funds for the project.
Members paying a £10 ($15) annual subscription will receive four issues of a quarterly newsletter, Starchaser News for the privilege, plus merchandise and notification of and VIP viewing of future launches.
Source: Flight Daily News
