Deployment and Stabilisation of a Space Web in Micro-Gravity

Wednesday 4 April 2012

SUAINEADH VIDEO FROM SPACE

This video shows the ejected section of Suaineadh, called Central Hub And Daughters (CHAD) after separation from the REXUS 12 rocket in roughly 80 km altitude. 18 images were sent via a wireless from CHAD back to the rocket after separation. Based on the pictures it can be confirmed that the experiment worked: CHAD got separated from the rocket, the reaction wheel started to spin up the experiment, the daughters attached to the web got releases and all electronics (CPUs, cameras, wireless, ...) on board the experiment worked. Unfortunately, wireless communication between the rocket and CHAD was lost after receiving the 18 pictures due to probably tumbling of the rocket. Therefore no pictures of the actual web deployment could be received. CHAD could't be recovered from the recovery helicopter after impact due to a radio beacon malfunction.