On May 26th, 2019, at the Land Forces Training Centre „Drawsko”, engineers of Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation conducted an in-flight test of the ILR-33 AMBER rocket. Its aim was to verify new solutions implemented in the construction, including the configuration with steering surfaces (canards) and optimised oxidizer feeding system. Besides flight hardware, ground support equipment such as new rocket tracking system was also subjected to trial.
The performed launch was successful. Full set of data was gathered and confirmed proper operation of all subsystems. Due to strong winds and limited area of the test range the flight ceiling was limited to 10,5 km.
The mission control personnel was constantly performing flight safety analysis and on their basis appropriate values of elevation launch angle, azimuth and amount of oxidizer (Hydrogen Peroxide) were determined. Safety margins for test range borders also had to be taken into account. The developed decision-making algorithm and procedures can be a very useful tool to increase the safety of rocket flights in Poland.
The performed launch is the next step in development of the rocket that will be able to exceed the 100 km altitude barrier and is a response to the growing needs of Polish and European space technology sector.
