The test launch of Skyrora’s Skylark Micro was successful. The two-stage, four-meter tall Skylark Micro sub-orbital rocket was set up within a few days at Langanes Peninsula, Iceland, the company’s mobile launch complex. The rocket reached 26.86km in altitude before both stages were parachuted back down to sea.
The disciplines of preparing for the launch is part of Skyrora’s de-risking program leading up to the building and launching of its orbital vehicle, Skyrora XL, scheduled for 2023. The launch of Skylark Micro was to test onboard electronics and communications that will also be used in the larger Skylark-L and Skyrora XL launch vehicles. Before launch, the team undertook a number of weather procedures to learn more about the mid and upper level wind speeds and altitudes.
In addition, the mobile launch complex allowed the team to collect a large amount of data of telemetry, GPS tracking and weather conditions during flight to which they are currently analyzing. The test also allowed the Skyrora crew to practice launch procedures and marine recovery operations.
Despite the resolute efforts of the Langanes Search and Rescue and Skyrora Recovery teams, Skyrora has unfortunately been unsuccessful in their efforts of locating the Skylark Micro booster and sustainer stages. However, they are still continuing search operations for the next few days as well as learning how to improve future recovery operations. Creating another test of their suborbital mobile launch complex in a different location, demonstrates the immense speed and flexibility of Skyrora for launching its test rockets.
Until this year, Iceland had no permit procedure to allow rockets to be launched from the country. However, after Skyrora traveled to Iceland in January to meet the relevant government officials and see the launch site, the Icelandic authorities agreed upon and implemented a framework to allow Skyrora to launch its Skylark Micro. The successful launch was closely organized with Space Iceland, which was recently founded in 2019. With their help and within a few months, Skyrora got the operational logistics and governmental documents in place before the launch took place.
Leading up to the launch, Skyrora invited the Mayor of Langanesbyggd, Jonas-Egilsson, Members of Parliament, families and students from the local areas to meet and greet the team as well as having the chance to learn more about the Skylark Micro mission and see the rocket up close before the launch.
Volodymyr Levykin, chief executive officer of Skyrora said, “I am very happy that Iceland has allowed us to launch from their country. This allowed us to continue our developmental and de-risking program. It is critical that we complete the program so we can scale up and learn from any mistakes before launching our larger launch vehicles, Skylark L and Skyrora XL.
“These de-risking launches are all about learning and education. The Icelandic launch has allowed us to test our avionics and communications on a smaller and more cost-effective vehicle. I also hope this educational launch promotes the space industry in a positive way and inspires the younger generation.
“I could not be more thankful for Iceland putting the permit framework together in such a short period of time.”
Icelandic government officials and ministers have expressed their delight of Skyrora expanding its business to their country. Thor Fanndal from Space Iceland said, “We congratulate Skyrora on its successful launch. All of us at Space Iceland are immensely proud of our contribution to this. It only took six months to secure all permits which we believe is a testament to the efficiency of Iceland’s public agencies.”
