ILR-33 AMBER 2K Rocket
The ILR-33 AMBER 2K suborbital rocket, equipped with an innovative hybrid rocket engine and solid propellant engines, reached an altitude of 101 km on July 3, crossing the conventional boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. The rocket, launched from Andoya Space Sub-Orbital in Norway, was designed and created entirely at the Institute of Aviation, which is part of the Łukasiewicz research network.
Dr. Eng. Stężycki emphasized on Monday at the PAP Studio that the successful launch of the rocket is the result of 10 years of work on the development of space technology. “The Polish space industry is already developing, and with this step it is leaving the incubation period,” he added.
“We open the eyes of the unbelievers”
“I hope we are opening the eyes of the unbelievers. Many people, both our colleagues and the government, did not fully believe that it was possible. That constructing a rocket and launching it to the altitude of crossing the space barrier is possible. We have proven it. We have done our job,” he said.
The Director of the Institute of Aviation emphasized thatThis innovative rocket is a collection of nine internationally patented technologies, such as the use of 98% hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizer, the use of innovative pyrocartridges, the rocket module separation system, a specially developed on-board computer or the navigation system. Dr. Eng. Stężycki noted that over 500 suppliers from Poland were involved in the creation of the rocket. He added: thus, IL proved that it is able to “design, manufacture and safely test not one new element or module, but an entire system” in our country.
“In Polish entities, we do not integrate such complex systems. Often, individual elements are produced, sometimes even modules, which are quite complicated for international entities. However, to make a system from a very simple element to an entire system consisting of a rocket, launcher, computers, navigation system, etc. – this is the first project of this type in many, many years, successfully completed in Poland,” he said.
As explained by Dr. Eng. Stężycki, the fuel developed by the institute can be stored in space for up to 10 years and used with great certainty after that time, maintaining its parameters. The ILR-33 Amber 2K rocket itself can currently reach a maximum altitude of approx. 120 km, depending on the fuel used, and carry a payload weighing up to 15 kg into suborbital space.
“The flight of a rocket powered by such an engine was very well received by research and scientific institutions around the world. We have letters of congratulations from NASA, JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency), DLR (German Aerospace Agency), as well as commercial ones, such as ArianeGroup,” he informed.
Price competitiveness of the Amber rocket
The head of the Institute of Aviation pointed out that ILR-33 AMBER 2K is able to launch payloads into suborbit at a competitive price, and initial calculations show that this may be the cheapest solution, even in relation to the project that is still being developed by German companies. “There is no cheaper method at the moment,” he emphasized, reserving that the scale effect is important. Launching the rocket into space cost a total of about PLN 8 million, but – as he assured – each subsequent flight will be cheaper.
Speaking of launching a rocket from Andoya Space Sub-Orbital in Norway Dr. Eng. Stężycki revealed that it was preceded by half a year of work by “experienced people”, which included obtaining many permits and filling out “several thousand pages of documents”. He added that the delivery of the rocket, explosives and, among other things, fuel, which could have a dual use, was problematic.
Interviewed by Adrian Kowarzyk (PAP)