HTTP-3A S2 - Hybrid Rocket with Active Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Successfully Launched

May 1, 2022
The ARRC team sets off from Hsinchu to the Xuhai short-term sounding rocket launch site in Pingtung. May 4, 2022, the launch was cancelled due to bad weather conditions and avionics hardware issues.

July 7, 2022
The team heads to Xuhai short-term sounding rocket launch site again to carry out the HTTP-S2 launch mission, and successfully lifted off at 6:12 AM on July 10. The rocket reached an altitude of approximately 3 kilometers and fell into the sea after roughly 80 seconds.

The only fly in the ointment was the lack of fuel which prevented the rocket from reaching the target altitude (10 km) and flight duration (8 min). Despite that, as the world's first hybrid rocket capable of active guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), the HTTP-3A S2 has made a great stride towards ARRC's founding purpose by verifying advanced technologies such as navigation control, long range antenna tracking system, and the emergency stop procedure.

Looking back, it has been more than 8 years since ARRC has launched a large rocket. The team members hoped more than anyone else that their efforts over the past 8 years could be seen by their supporters and spur more hope while growing the R&D capabilities of Taiwan's space technology.

On July 10, the cheers heard from the coastal control center in Xuhai not only conveyed the team's joy, but also showcased Taiwan's potential, power, and determination to develop space technology on behalf of the academia and local industries involved in the project.