As part of a project with the European Space Agency – ESA, the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) conducted the final tests of our small launcher ground support equipment (GSE) at the facilities of OPTIMAL GROUP, whose talented team was responsible for the design and fabrication of the equipment.
This Dry Run allowed us to perform load tests on the hydraulic systems, check the fits and adjust operational procedures.
Following this milestone validation test, the past week witnessed another remarkable feat – a rocket launch simulation, complete with a static propulsion test, of a rocket by the university team RED | Rocket Experiment Division. During this simulation, the rocket’s propulsion system was tested, with ASC meticulously replicating real operational conditions and procedures.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entities that made this achievement possible: to the Escola Nacional de Bombeiros – Portugal, for providing us with the appropriate grounds on where to conduct the test fire safely; to the RED team for providing their rocket CAMÕES that will compete at EuRoC; and to the São Pedro de Sintra Firefighter Corporation for their invaluable safety support. These are the kind of collaborative efforts that the ASC continues to push, as we integrate the local communities and suppliers in our activities.
This is an important step forward in our mission to bring space launch capabilities to the Atlantic region, and we’re excited about fielding this equipment in the Azores soon.
