Small Sounding Rocket Program (SSRP)
ASRI’s Low-cost Payload Launch Service
The ASRI Small Sounding Rocket Program (SSRP) was initiated in the mid-1990s to provide Australian educational institutions from primary schools to universities with a high-acceleration rocket payload launch service at very low cost. The launch service provided by the SSRP was made available to individuals, companies and foreign universities. More recently, the SSRP has expanded to provide launch management and operation services for non-commercial organisations seeking assistance to launch their own vehicles.
Launch Vehicles
The SSRP currently utilizes the Zuni launch vehicle, based on surplus-to-requirement military rocket motors. To ensure safe operation, these motors are managed under a Surveillance and Service Life Program.
The Zuni vehicle consists of a solid rocket motor 130mm in diameter and 1.6m in length. ASRI has designed and constructed custom payload recovery systems for the Zuni. ASRI has been working with the University of Adelaide where they combined its Zuni and Sighter rockets into a 2 stage configuration for better performance for payload designers.
Launch Operations
SSRP launch campaigns are usually conducted twice a year from ASRI’s launch facility at Launch Area 9 in the Woomera Test Range, South Australia, which is located around 500 km north of Adelaide.
Launch operations are conducted under the auspices of a Range Usage Agreement between ASRI and the Commonwealth of Australia and in accordance with the SSRP Safety and Operations Plan (SOP).
Attending a Campaign
In order to attend a trials campaign you must be cleared to do so in accordance with Defence Access protocol. If this is not done at least 40 days prior to the campaign you will not be eligible to attend the campaign.
ALL visitors to any campaign must be Australian Citizens, Non Nationals may apply for exemption, to know how contact the SSRP Manager Mandatory details include full name, date of birth and citizenship.
Please note: All visitors must remain in the vicinity of Launch Area 9 until the day’s proceedings have been completed (approximately 1800) – unescorted departures are no longer permitted. Range photo protocol must be observed at ALL times. Non compliance could result in prosecution under federal law.
Building and Launching a Payload
Technical Requirements
Payloads built for launch aboard an ASRI sounding rocket must satisfy certain basic requirements which are detailed in the Payload Users Guide (PUG) below.
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ASRI is able to provide payload developers with reasonable assistance with ensuring interface and safety requirements are met provided the preparation and notification schedule requirements as defined in the PUG are adhered to. You will also need to fill in and return appendix D which is conveniently available below as a word document.
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Zuni Motor Specifications
Length | 1600 mm (Approx) |
Diameter | 130.175 mm 5.125" |
Motor | Solid Fuel |
Weight | 26.70 kg |
Burn Time | 1.20 - 1.50 s |
Total Impulse | 28.1 - 30.4 kNs |