NYCU ME
Assistant Professor Chen Zhu Boyuan, who guides the ASARe team, mentioned that the launch mission involved about 25 members from three teams: ASARe, the Advanced Rocket Research Center (ARRC), and the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems Laboratory (MSCL). ASARe was responsible for the integration of the rocket system and the design of the launch tower, ARRC provided the primary engine for the first stage, the "Serpent Eagle Hybrid Rocket Engine," and MSCL supplied the avionics system. This mission marked the first flight test of the Serpent Eagle Hybrid Rocket Engine, serving as a precursor to the dual-stage HTTP-3A rocket flight test.
Professor Chen explained that the Asfaloth rocket is 5.2 meters long, with a diameter of 26.5 centimeters and a weight of 190 kg. For this flight test, the rocket was loaded with only one-third of its full capacity fuel, achieving a propulsion duration of about 5 seconds and an altitude of approximately 3000 meters. Future full-scale rocket launches are expected to have a propulsion duration of 15 seconds and an altitude of 10 kilometers.
Ming-Hao Wang, a third-year master's student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at NYCU, who was responsible for system engineering, stated that the most challenging aspect of the mission was the high complexity of the rocket system. Small issues could potentially lead to larger problems, making system integration the most difficult task.
The ASARe team revealed that the name "Asfaloth" is derived from the elven horse in the novel "The Lord of the Rings." The next flight test mission is expected to carry a scientific payload named "AsyncELF," designed to break the sound barrier (ELF stands for "Elven" in English).
Currently, NYCU has three rocket teams, each developing different types of rockets. ARRC focuses on research rockets with guidance capabilities, aiming for an altitude of 100 kilometers. ASARe specializes in research sounding rockets without guidance capabilities, targeting altitudes within 100 kilometers. The Formosan Fox team is dedicated to competition rockets.
The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) noted that the space industry has seen rapid development in recent years. Taiwan's strengths in information and communications technology, semiconductors, and precision machinery provide a competitive edge in the international supply chain. Over the past 30 years, the National Space Organization (TASA) has executed satellite programs, mastering satellite development, testing, and control capabilities. Last year, TASA initiated an orbital rocket development program, aiming to enhance satellite program autonomy through launch technology mastery. To support this effort, TASA continues to commission academic institutions to conduct research rocket programs, fostering talent in related fields.
To provide a legal and safe rocket launch site for domestic academia and research, NSTC established a "Short-term Research Sounding Rocket Launch Site" at Xu Hai, Pingtung. TASA manages the review of usage applications and operations. To date, the site has launched the NYCU HTTP-3A S2, the National Cheng Kung University’s dual-stage hybrid rocket, Tamkang University’s Tamkang-1 rocket, the Jessie rocket, Feng Chia University's SHSR-Aero1, and Asfaloth, which is the sixth research sounding rocket launched from this site since its activation.
Translated by Haydn Chen based upon a UDN article
July 22. 2024