The last couple of weeks, production on the ‘Concept Launcher‘ has finished. The Concept Launcher is developed as an operational test vehicle for the Stratos II Capsule.

It will enable in-flight tests of different critical subsystems, like the ‘clamp-band’ separation system, the innovative recovery system and the complex flight computer. The Concept launcher will improve our knowledge of the capsule and build up the necessary experience to fly the Stratos II rocket to 50 km in 2012.
The team worked very hard last weeks to have a Concept launcher with working basic systems. The electronics have been finished this summer,  important parts for the motor module have been produced last week. And the innovative inner structure has been produced in the compositeLAB. The rocket was ready to be launched during last Friday’s launch campaign.
However due to storage problems there was not enough propellant to propel it skywards. So the launch has been postponed till the next opportunity next year. It will be a good start for an elaborate test program this fall and winter. Building knowledge and confidence in our systems. 2011 will be filled with launches starting in spring!
Recently we tested the ClampBand system and it works like a dream, look at the video!!