Boosting SpaceForest's Perun sounding rocket development
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Oct 04, 2024

SpaceForest, a Poland-based company, is advancing its efforts to develop a new European single-stage sounding rocket, designed for commercial microgravity experiments. The rocket, standing at 11.5 meters tall, will offer up to four minutes of microgravity, with a payload capacity of 50 kg and a launch altitude of up to 150 km. The system includes stabilizing features to ensure high-quality microgravity conditions during flight.

Named Perun, the rocket uses modified paraffin, a non-toxic propellant commonly found in candle wax. The rocket's deployment is made simpler by its mobile launch pad, which can be used at various launch sites across Europe.

In 2023, SpaceForest successfully launched two full-scale models of the Perun, reaching altitudes of 22 km and 13 km, both launched from Ustka, Poland, on the Baltic Sea.

To further develop the Perun rocket, ESA is providing euro 2.4 million in co-funding. The funding will be used for:

- Upgrading and testing the rocket's combustion chamber.

- Conducting flight demonstrations to altitudes of 50 km, 80 km, 100 km, and 150 km to validate the system and microgravity performance.

ESA will also assist SpaceForest in developing a mobile refueling station, ground support systems, and a tracking and communication system. These systems will be designed for easy transport using standard road vehicles, enabling flexible launch operations.

The ESA Boost! programme is dedicated to supporting commercial transportation services for access to space, operations in space, and returns from space. It also helps ESA member states achieve national goals, including the development of spaceports and testing facilities.

For more information about the Perun rocket system, visit: perunrocket.com.

Related Links
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