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Image via the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
- The Phoenix-1B Mark IIr sounding rocket developed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal has set a new African record.
- The hybrid rocket, designed to carry experimental research payloads, reached an altitude of 17.9 km, breaking the previous record of 10.3 km.
- The success of the university’s Aerospace Systems Research Group has been hailed as a “landmark moment for South African space science” by the minister of higher education, science and innovation, Blade Nzimande.
- For more articles, visit www.BusinessInsider.co.za.
A hybrid sound rocket developed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has set a new altitude record by reaching 17.9 km in Earth’s atmosphere at twice the speed of sound. The launch, held on Monday, March 8, turned out to be the third lucky time for the student team after previous failures in 2014 and 2019.
The university’s Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG) is leading South Africa’s charge on applied rocket propulsion programs. Funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the research group was founded in 2009 and has focused on the development of hybrid rockets. The rockets use a mixture of liquid and solid propellants to launch sounding equipment into space.
Sounding rockets, unlike satellites orbiting the Earth, carry experimental payloads for research purposes. These instruments are used to study astronomy, astrophysics, materials science, and meteorology.
In 2014, the Phoenix-1A rocket, the first developed by ASReG, was launched but did not achieve the desired altitude due to a nozzle failure. Five years later, the Phoenix-1B Mark II experienced a software glitch that resulted in the rocket launching just 20 meters above the platform before crashing to the ground and exploding.
The third installment, Phoenix-1B Mark IIr, was launched on Monday, March 8, at Denel’s Overberg Test Range, about 200 km from Cape Town. Unlike previous attempts, the launch of the Phoenix-1B Mark IIr was an outstanding success.
The rocket reached 17.9 km in the atmosphere, breaking the previous African record for a 10.3 km hybrid launch. The successful launch has been hailed as a “historic moment for South African space science” by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, who congratulated ASReG.
“This is a game changer for South African space science and positions the country to take the lead on the continent in developing rocket launch capabilities,” said Nzimande.
The Phoenix-1B Mark IIr test rocket launched into the ocean and did not recover as planned. UKZN is currently the only university to offer an applied rocket propulsion program that focuses on manufacturing, aerospace systems design, and computational analysis.
“The target market is small commercial satellite launches with a payload of 200 kg at an altitude of 500 km, and rocket launches into space from the Overberg Test Range,” said Dr Mmboneni Muofhe, Deputy Director General for Innovation technology department, who added that the government would continue to fund aerospace engineering, infrastructure and technology.
Several alumni who have gone through ASReG have gone on to work with Armscor, Milkor and Rheinmetall Denel Munition in key technical positions, according to DSI.
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