BERLIN: German company HyImpulse Friday successfully launched a candle wax-powered rocket capable of carrying commercial satellites on a test suborbital flight into space for the first time.
“We’re signalling Germany’s prowess as a spacefaring nation and expanding Europe’s access to space,” HyImpulse’s chief executive Mario Kobald said. The 12-metre, 2.5-tonne test rocket dubbed “SR75” lifted off in Koonibba, Australia.
It is capable of carrying satellites weighing up to 250kg to an altitude of up to 250km while being fuelled by paraffin, or candle wax, and liquid oxygen. Paraffin can be used as a cheaper and safer alternative fuel for rockets, reducing satellite transportation costs by as much as 50%, HyImpulse said.
“We’re signalling Germany’s prowess as a spacefaring nation and expanding Europe’s access to space,” HyImpulse’s chief executive Mario Kobald said. The 12-metre, 2.5-tonne test rocket dubbed “SR75” lifted off in Koonibba, Australia.
It is capable of carrying satellites weighing up to 250kg to an altitude of up to 250km while being fuelled by paraffin, or candle wax, and liquid oxygen. Paraffin can be used as a cheaper and safer alternative fuel for rockets, reducing satellite transportation costs by as much as 50%, HyImpulse said.