TRAILBLAZER

payload

Trailblazer allows the payload to be externally deployed. A standard nosecone is provided with a powered payload bus and telemetry interface. Alternatively, the customer could supply their own payload section according to vehicle specifications.

Green hypergolic propellant

Special high density, nontoxic fuel and oxidizer mixture enable a smaller vehicle envelope, simplified propulsion system, and low cost of operation.

Pressure fed system

Efficient warm-gas system with composite overwrapped tanks allow reduced vehicle complexity and pressurant mass.

Main engine

The composite main engine, which utilizes a robust injector architecture and ablative cooling in addition to the proprietary propellant mixture, allows for low cost and extremely high reliability. 

avionics

Controller and telemetry modules are based on Aphelion’s flight tested avionics units, providing proven reliability.

reliability and ease of manufacture

The design philosophy of the rocket is rooted in simplicity and reliability. The scale of the rocket allows for the introduction of novel production techniques that keep the cost low while reducing component fault rates.

optional boost stage

An optional boost phase Stage Zero is available for Trailblazer for a greater payload capacity or apogee upon customer request.

A low cost suborbital research platform

Trailblazer makes suborbital flight accessible to commercial customers and opens a multitude of new possibilities in research and testing. Unique technical innovations provide low cost, frequent suborbital flights where commercial availability is often rare and where flight opportunities are hard to obtain.

The technology demonstration, research, and pharmaceutical-biophysical markets can all benefit greatly from the availability of prolonged microgravity and space exposure flights which can only be provided by sounding rockets. Some potential applications are listed — but the scope of Trailblazer’s capabilities is up to our client’s imagination. Depending on the requested configuration, Trailblazer is capable of reaching anywhere from 100-325 kilometers in altitude, with the help of our proprietary hypergolic propellants and optional boost stage. A suborbital flight gives the customer ability to configure the payload section in a way that suits their application, full recovery of their experiment, as well as lower price per unit of mass than an orbital flight. The following applications are envisioned.

• Heliospheric and aeronomic research
• Technology demonstration/space hardware qualification missions
• Microgravity research in pharmaceutical and medical industries
• Communication system testing
• Space environment exposure

The rocket utilizes key innovations such as high performance carbon fiber composites, miniaturized control systems, and new construction techniques that offer cost and weight saving advantages. Our peroxide-based propulsion system employs high density propellants that provide us a significant advantage at the nano-vehicle scale. The Trailblazer rocket is projected to conduct its first test flight by late 2018 after two years of development and testing. Launches will be made available with short turnaround, and from a variety of launch sites, and anywhere an FAA waiver to a sufficient altitude can be attained.