| |
|
|
|
|
| |
As in previous years, we've taken the opportunity to undertake maintenance on the
Outreach rockets. On 18th December 2006 we lifted Skybolt off its vehicle.
Some pictures are here, more are in the Members Area.
|
| |
Updated: December 2006
|
More 
|
|
| |
Starchaser are heavily featured in a Euronews video on the topic of
Space tourism dreams becoming reality.
(Link no longer available)
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
|
|
| |
A Storm engine video is now in the Team Starchaser Club area of our website.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Another gallery of pictures from the X Prize Cup, held at Las Cruces New Mexico in
October 2006, has now been made available.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
A short movie sequence of the Storm engine in its test frame is now
available in the Movies Gallery.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
A small gallery of pictures from the preparations for the test firing of the STORM
engine at RAF Spadeadam are here. More pictures are available in the Team starchaser
Members Area. A video clip will be available shortly in the Movies gallery.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
PTC announces that Starchaser Industries, a privately held high tech company, renewed
its commitment to Pro/ENGINEER, the PTC integrated CAD/CAM/CAE solution, for another
three years.Pro/ENGINEER is playing a vital role in the development of the new
STORM bi-liquid rocket engine.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
The STORM rocket engine firing has been postponed due to ignition sequence problem.
Starchaser engineers are currently analysing data from tests which took place on
Tuesday with a view to rectifying the fault in preparation for a full engine burn,
the date of which is to be confirmed.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
|
|
| |
Doņa Ana Community College, in association with the National Aerospace Technical
Education Center and in partnership with Starchaser, is launching the Aerospace
Technology degree option. This degree will qualify students for national
certification as an aerospace technician as well as address the technical workforce
needs unique to the commercial space industry.
|
| |
Updated: November 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser display upgraded prototype Thunderstar capsule at the 2006
X PRIZE Cup event in Las Cruces New Mexico - further images available soon
|
| |
Updated: October 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser Industries, Britain's leading rocket manufacturing company unveils
its prototype SKYBOLT SOUNDING ROCKET at Salford University at 10am on THURSDAY
28th SEPTEMBER.
|
| |
Updated: September 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser visited Jarrow School in the Northeast on Wednesday 20 September 2006 to
commemorate the school's engineering status. The Nova rocket stayed well into the early
evening where it was sympathetically lit using coloured floodlights
|
| |
Updated: September 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
A French TV crew were at Starchaser UK on Saturday 23rd September to gather footage for
a forthcoming EURONEWS item. They will also visit Starchaser US in early October in
order to gather further footage. Some pictures taken on the day are available in
the Team Starchaser Members Area.
|
| |
Updated: September 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Over 100 pictures, including many of the prototype of Starchaser's Skybolt
sounding rocket have now been published in the Team Starchaser Members Area.
|
| |
Updated: September 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser has opened its registration system and is now inviting people to
express their interest in becoming a Starchaser Astronaut.
A on-line registration form has been provided to allow people to give their
details and be kept apprised of seat availability, flight schedules and pricing.
|
| |
Updated: September 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Starchaser, based in the UK, bought 120 acres of
Chihuahuan desert along Interstate 10 west of Las Cruces, envisioning a "Rocket
City" that will include manufacturing buildings, astronaut training facilities,
hotels and restaurants. "We decided this is a place we needed to be," said
Kimmarie Hartley, Starchaser's director of operations. "We're starting out small.
We're not NASA by any means, but we have a long-term vision."
(Link no longer available)
|
| |
Updated: September 2006
|
|
|
| |
On Friday 25 August 2006 Jimmy O'Dell Carroll, of Rocket Boys and October Sky fame,
visited Starchaser with members of SWARM. The visit was to give to Jimmy and SWARM
The Starchaser Storm Award for innovation in model rocketry. This is to
be presented to the winner of the best innovation in model rocketry at the
Jimmy O'Dell Carroll Altitude event held by the SWARM Rocket Club, Devon, UK. A
picture gallery of the visit is now available.
|
| |
Updated: August 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser's Space4schools Outreach Programme will have visited 212 schools between
1 August 2005 and 31 July 2006. Some 139 of these were high school visits, with the
remainder being made up of primary schools. In total, Starchaser has engaged with
over 257,000 school children over this period.
We expect to double these figures for the 2006 – 2007 season.
|
| |
Updated: July 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser have now ordered the various components for the construction of the
Skybolt sounding rocket. These components will be delivered over the next weeks
and months. More details to follow in due course.
|
| |
Updated: July 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
17 July 2006 - Farnborough International Airshow in England, a new name for the
Southwest Regional Spaceport was announced. It is being changed to Spaceport
America, said Rick Homans, New Mexico Economic Development Secretary.....
|
| |
Updated: July 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Las Cruces, NM - Starchaser Industries Inc., the first private space company to
establish a New Mexico presence in response to the development of the Southwest
Regional Spaceport, is pleased to announce plans to develop a 120-acre site
approximately seventeen miles west of the City of Las Cruces in southern New Mexico.
|
| |
Updated: July 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser attended the Royal Aeronautical Society's conference on Space Tourism
in June 2006. The main purpose of the conference was to consider the evolution of
space tourism over the next decade. Senior Starchaser staff were present to deal
with the various questions. A striking, and brand new, Thunderstar model was on
the display. A gallery of pictures taken at the conference is now available.
|
| |
Updated: June 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser are delighted to announce the launch of a new SPACE4SCHOOLS web site
devoted to providing a full breakdown of our educational visits. This site contains
numerous documents describing the various packages we can deliver. In addition
there is a protected area containing additional resources and materials for
teachers once the school has made a booking.
|
| |
Updated: June 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
We are developing a new booster, named Starchaser 4a, derived from the Starchaser 4 fin
canister constructed last year. More pictures continue to be added to the relevant Rockets
Gallery on this site, and more have now been posted in the Members Area.
31 May - more pictures now added to the Members Area gallery.
|
| |
Updated: May 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Before every test firing we perform a series of high pressure water flow tests
which are designed to calibrate and test the system. These tests put the engine
under far more stress than even a hot firing...
|
| |
Updated: May 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
During March and April 2006 the Starchaser Factory hummed with activity. A gallery
of pictures has been put in the Engines Gallery. Many more of the pictures are
available in the Member's Area.
|
| |
Updated: April 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
The Storm engine thrust frame has now been installed at the UK test site. Such was the
quality and precision of the engineering the installation was completed in less than
half a day.
Many more photographs of the installation are in the Members Area.
|
| |
Updated: March 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Build plans are ahead of schedule and the Storm engine has now been test fitted into the
thrust frame. Our initial series of tests here in the UK are set for April. These
tests will qualify the design and confirm readiness for a full duration, stacked,
firing.
|
| |
Updated: March 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser UK recently took delivery of the fuel, oxidiser and pressurant tank liners for
the Skybolt rocket vehicle. Pending further testing, all three tanks are to be over wrapped
in filament carbon fibre composite before being integrated into the airframe.
|
| |
Updated: March 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
With a projected $225 million being spent to create a "purpose-built" spaceport near
Upham, New Mexico – expected to be completed by 2009-2010 – for many of
the principals involved there remains but one question: what is a 21st century
spaceport supposed to look like? ....
|
| |
Updated: January 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
In the 25 January 2006 edition of Professional Engineering, the journal of the Institute
of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), is an excellent two page article, "Reach for the Stars"
by Justin Cunningham
|
| |
Updated: January 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser Industries Inc., premier builders of space craft in the United Kingdom and
New Mexico, is delighted to hear that Virgin Galactic have decided to operate from the
innovative South West Regional Space Port. Starchaser Industries Inc. chose to expand
their operations to the Space Port in May 2004 and sees Virgin Galactic's move as an
extremely positive step towards the goal of making New Mexico the new centre for
space exploration.
|
| |
Updated: January 2006
|
|
|
| |
Having engaged the services of a leading management consultancy firm Starchaser conducted
a business planning and operational review in December 2005 in order to move forward
with the Starchaser share offer...
|
| |
Updated: January 2006
|
More
|
|
| |
An article appeared in 8th December Las Cruces Sun News under the heading
Starchaser looks to build plant in west Las Cruces...
(Link no longer available)
|
| |
Updated: January 2006
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Starchaser's Thunderbird capsule mock-up is now installed at Spaceport. The wiring is
complete and the seating installated. A picture gallery relating to this is now
available in the Members area.
 Members Area
|
| |
Updated: December 2005
|
|
| |
"The Starchaser team... are, as far as one can tell, virtually the only repository of
rocket engineering expertise in all of Britain. Surely, the tutelary Gods who rule the
destinies of ESA and Eumetsat would not begrudge them a few million pounds to keep them
in business."
Space Review, 14th November 2005
|
| |
Updated: December 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
The Starchaser days at Spaceport in October / November 2005 are now over.
It was really nice to meet and chat to so many of the visitors. Click here for
the results of our special competition.
|
| |
Updated: November 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
The first X PRIZE Cup event held 6th - 9th October in New Mexico was a resounding
success with attendance numbers reported to be well in excess of the 20,000 target.
Starchaser was there with its full size 3-man Thunderstar capsule mock-up, the
Churchill Mk.2 engine, in addition to other items. Click here to view report and picture gallery.
|
| |
Updated: October 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser are currently preparing for the upcoming X Prize Cup event in New Mexico.
The event is being held 6th to 9th October. Click here for a picture gallery.
Further information is in the Members Area, in addition to more picture galleries.
|
| |
Updated: October 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser will be at the Yorkshire Air Show, Elvington Air Field, near York, on 20
and 21 August. The Nova rocket will be there as well. Visit the merchandise stand.
Join Team Starchaser. Do come along, we'd love to see you.
|
| |
Updated: August 2005
|
|
|
| |
On 11 July 2005 Starchaser CEO Steve Bennett signed the lease on the
Company's new US headquarters which is situated in Las Cruces New Mexico. Starchaser
are currently interviewing for administrative and educational staff, as well as
engineers who will work out of the new office.
|
| |
Updated: August 2005
|
|
|
| |
At 3.40 pm on Monday 4 July 2005, we successfully tested our Launch Escape
Test Thruster for the first time using a prototype kerosene injection system...
Members can see a brief overview together with a new gallery in the club section.
A short movie is available to Club Members in the Members Area.
View the members area...
|
| |
Updated: August 2005
|
|
|
| |
Tuesday 28 June saw a major delivery of Starchaser artefacts to the Merseyside
Spaceport which opened on 26 July. This delivery followed a busy period at the
Starchaser factory where a host of rockets and other related space memorabilia
have been...
|
| |
Updated: July 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
Wisla is proud to support the efforts of the Starchaser project and wish all
concerned the very best of good fortune in their splendid endeavours...
|
| |
Updated: June 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
A new launch escape system movie clip is here...
Peroxide test movie
|
| |
Updated: June 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
The combustion chamber, engine bell and outer cooling jacket are now complete.
|
| |
Updated: January 2005
|
More
|
|
| |
We had an opportunity to carry out some much needed maintenance work
on the Nova / Starchaser 4 rocket over the Christmas break. The launcher
trailer was also serviced and kitted out with a new set of tyres before
passing it’s MOT with flying colours.
|
| |
Updated: January 2005
|
|
|
|
|
| |
While the THUNDERSTAR capsule is being designed/engineered using CAD software
there is no substitute for a physical mock up when it comes to human interfaces.
|
| |
Updated: October 2004
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser Industries are currently conducting full scale tests of their ECLSS on
human subjects inside a sealed test chamber approximating the internal volume of
their X-Prize space capsule.
|
| |
Updated: June 2004
|
More
|
|
| |
The launch of the NEW official Starchaser Club members magazine will follow the next,
and last, Starchaser News. IGNITION will be the Starchaser Club magazine as well as
addressing more mainstream space topics and reports.
|
| |
Updated: March 2004
|
Join the Club
|
|
| |
Starchaser Industries are taking the NOVA / Starchaser 4 rocket on a very special
tour of England this week. Ports of call will include the London Eye and National
Museum of Photography. Other cities will include Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
|
| |
Updated: March 2004
|
|
|
| |
Starchaser Industries are pleased to announce that an initial submission for
permissions to use Australia's Woomera launch site has been made
|
| |
Updated: March 2004
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser has taken delivery of it's first Russian Space Suit. See the real space suit
at the open day on the 17th Jan. More information available in the Members area.
|
| |
Updated: January 2004
|
Members Area
|
|
|
|
| |
The design of the Starchaser 5 booster used for the new X-Prize vehicle is
nearing completion.
|
| |
Updated: December 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
Page 3 model Michelle Marsh came to Starchaser to shoot a variety of pictures for
our use on the web site and also for publicity purposes...
|
| |
Updated: October 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
The exhaust plume looked much cleaner than in previous tests having very little
black smoke. It would seem that the larger number of injectors promoted better
mixing of the propellants...
|
| |
Updated: October 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser Industries have successfully completed two manned parachute drop tests
of their NOVA 2 rocket capsule...
|
| |
Updated: July 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
At precisely 1.43 pm GMT 9th April 2003, Starchaser Industries Limited test fired
their Churchill Mark 2 bi-propellant liquid rocket engine...
|
| |
Updated: April 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser unveiled the World's 1st privately manned rocket capsule - The Nova II Capsule on the 3rd of April...
|
| |
Updated: April 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
There are many similarities between the Thrust project and Starchaser's bid to win the X-Prize and the Starchaser team received a positive response from Richard when he was asked to visit Starchaser...
|
| |
Updated: March 2003
|
More
|
|
| |
Starchaser is pleased to announce that it has joined the Association of
Specialist Technical Organisations for Space...
|
| |
|
More
|
|
|
|
| |
Starchaser has begun tests using large steerable parachute canopies in preparation
for Nova capsule drop tests later this year. The first two drops in this series were
pilot training exercises conducted in Florida on 17th December using a 500kg All Terrain
Vehicle (ATV) as payload. Both drops which were carried aloft by a CASA 212 aircraft
were successful.
|
|
| |
Astronaut candidate Steve Bennett begins training in a Hawker Hunter jet in preparation
for his flight aboard the Nova rocket. "The Hunter is tremendous fun" says Steve "the
aircraft is very smooth and is a joy to fly". This builds upon the training Steve has
already undertaken in various light aircraft and with an upper speed of around 500 knots
and a ceiling of 45,000 feet, Steve's first Hunter flight gave him the opportunity to
fly higher and faster than he's ever been before.
|
|
| |
Steve Bennett visited the Gagarin Cosmonaut training Centre at Star City near Moscow
during the last week of October. This was to serve as an introduction to the world of
Russian Cosmonautics and it also enabled Steve to reinforce much of the training he has
already undertaken in pursuit of his bid to become the world's first Astronaut aboard a
privately built space ship.
|
|
|
|
| |
The Nova rocket was recently removed from her launcher prior to putting the trailer
through it's MOT test. This provided the team with an opportunity to inspect Nova for
damage following the recent educational roadshow. The trailer duly passed the test and
has been judged fit for another year of service.
|
|
|
|
|
