Wojciech Florczuk, leading the Space Technologies Department at the Institute of Aviation, in his interview for Space24.pl, briefed us on the main assumptions and schedule of the development project pertaining the ILR-33 Bursztyn (Amber) rocket project. Florczuk also told us about the applied propulsion system: “Currently we are developing the ILR-33 Bursztyn rocket at the Institute of Aviation.This is a probe rocket.The main assumption of the project is to integrate all of the technologies that are being developed at the Institute in the field of liquid fuels rocket engines, including the engines using highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide of top class.” He added:“This is a hybrid system using polyethylene fuel, with pressure fuel supply, delivering the 98% hydrogen peroxide to the engine.”
The project’s purpose is also to check other components of the rocket, besides the propulsion system, including the stages separation system and the system used for recovery of the flight recording equipment. The first launch is planned in September, and it is going to take place in Poland. The flight planned in September this year is expected to reach the ceiling of 10 kilometres.Ultimately, the design assumes that the rocket shall be capable of reaching the altitude of 100 kilometres, and it should also be able to carry 5 kilograms of payload, up to that ceiling.”
Implementation of the Bursztyn rocket project may contribute to the Polish initiative, the aim of which would be to design a launch vehicle for small satellites in the future. “This is our long term plan, to implement and use the whole experience gathered during this project, and use it for the purpose of constructing the Polish spacecraft” - as Florczuk, leader of the Space Technologies Workshop at the Institute of Aviation stated.
Our interlocutor also presented and discussed the hybrid engine demonstrator, featuring a combustion chamber made out of composites. He also referred to other, significant projects realized by the Institute, including a hybrid propulsion system with a new catalytic element for the satellite platforms, the purpose of which is to change the orbits of the satellites that already reside in the outer space. This project is led by the Airbus company. The second project presented by Florczuk is related to hypergolic propellants. Florczuk explains: “Hypergolic propellants are the propellants that are not lit up on direct contact.We have been able to create a number of fuels characterized by a very short ignition time, even below 3 milliseconds.”