Karman Space Programme Set to Launch UK's Most Powerful Reusable Rocket

Karman Space Programme Set to Launch UK's Most Powerful Reusable Rocket

A team of university students in London is preparing to launch the most powerful reusable rocket built by a UK team. On Sunday, September 24th, the student-led Karman Space Programme (KSP) will attempt a two-stage rocket launch to test systems for reuse and recovery of the vehicle, a crucial step towards low-cost, sustainable access to space. The rocket has been named Orion.

The team used AI techniques such as transformer neural networks to speed up simulations by orders of magnitude and use a fraction of computing power. In addition to this, the team's innovations include a metal 3D-printed rocket engine, which is the world's most powerful non-governmental and non-commercial engine with nearly 40kN of thrust.

The UK Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, George Freeman, said: “To see the next generation of space innovators already pushing the boundaries of UK space technology is remarkable and I wish the Karman Space Programme success after their hard work. Initiatives like these show just how transformative partnerships between academia and industry can be in reshaping the landscape of UK space exploration. As demonstrated globally, the adoption of reusable rocket technology is pivotal in significantly lowering space launch costs and propelling the UK towards a leading role in the space arena.”

“This launch represents years of hard work and commitment from our team," said Shapol, KSP's Chairman and co-founder "We're proud to be pushing the boundaries of what student groups can achieve in space technology and grateful for the support we've received from world-class institutions such as the UK Space Agency and others in making this mission possible.”

In addition to leading KSP, Shapol has founded startups building autonomous air taxis and has received 8 figures' worth of pre-orders. His latest venture is automating engineering design, and the technology is being used by several aerospace organizations. Shapol credits the hands-on engineering experience and teamwork skills gained from programs like KSP, as well as access to world-class resources and facilities in the UK, with preparing him to successfully launch and grow new technology companies.

“The challenge of offering greater access to space, at reduced cost and with minimal environmental impact places space sustainability at the top of the agenda. I’m delighted to see ICL taking up that challenge and wish them every success,” said Tim Peake, the British astronaut to space walk.

The program is sponsored by Cybral, OneWeb, Seko, Dassault Systemes, and others. The upcoming launch will take place in Mojave, California.

Click here to learn about Karman Space Programme's Flagship Rocket.

Publisher: SatNow

OneWeb

  • Country: United Kingdom
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GNSS Constellations - A list of all GNSS satellites by constellations

beidou

Satellite NameOrbit Date
BeiDou-3 G4Geostationary Orbit (GEO)17 May, 2023
BeiDou-3 G2Geostationary Orbit (GEO)09 Mar, 2020
Compass-IGSO7Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)09 Feb, 2020
BeiDou-3 M19Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)16 Dec, 2019
BeiDou-3 M20Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)16 Dec, 2019
BeiDou-3 M21Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)23 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 M22Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)23 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 I3Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)04 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 M23Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)22 Sep, 2019
BeiDou-3 M24Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)22 Sep, 2019

galileo

Satellite NameOrbit Date
GSAT0223MEO - Near-Circular05 Dec, 2021
GSAT0224MEO - Near-Circular05 Dec, 2021
GSAT0219MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0220MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0221MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0222MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0215MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0216MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0217MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0218MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017

glonass

Satellite NameOrbit Date
Kosmos 2569--07 Aug, 2023
Kosmos 2564--28 Nov, 2022
Kosmos 2559--10 Oct, 2022
Kosmos 2557--07 Jul, 2022
Kosmos 2547--25 Oct, 2020
Kosmos 2545--16 Mar, 2020
Kosmos 2544--11 Dec, 2019
Kosmos 2534--27 May, 2019
Kosmos 2529--03 Nov, 2018
Kosmos 2527--16 Jun, 2018

gps

Satellite NameOrbit Date
Navstar 82Medium Earth Orbit19 Jan, 2023
Navstar 81Medium Earth Orbit17 Jun, 2021
Navstar 78Medium Earth Orbit22 Aug, 2019
Navstar 77Medium Earth Orbit23 Dec, 2018
Navstar 76Medium Earth Orbit05 Feb, 2016
Navstar 75Medium Earth Orbit31 Oct, 2015
Navstar 74Medium Earth Orbit15 Jul, 2015
Navstar 73Medium Earth Orbit25 Mar, 2015
Navstar 72Medium Earth Orbit29 Oct, 2014
Navstar 71Medium Earth Orbit02 Aug, 2014

irnss

Satellite NameOrbit Date
NVS-01Geostationary Orbit (GEO)29 May, 2023
IRNSS-1IInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)12 Apr, 2018
IRNSS-1HSub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO)31 Aug, 2017
IRNSS-1GGeostationary Orbit (GEO)28 Apr, 2016
IRNSS-1FGeostationary Orbit (GEO)10 Mar, 2016
IRNSS-1EGeosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)20 Jan, 2016
IRNSS-1DInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)28 Mar, 2015
IRNSS-1CGeostationary Orbit (GEO)16 Oct, 2014
IRNSS-1BInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)04 Apr, 2014
IRNSS-1AInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)01 Jul, 2013