CIris, at around 55 feet tall, was the largest and heaviest rocket ever launched from the UK mainland. Photo: rocketeers.co.uk.

The UK Rocket Men, the team behind the Reliant Robin Space Shuttle and the Blue Peter Rocket, have launched 'Iris', their largest rocket yet, as part of a program for the Discovery Channel. Iris, at around 55 feet tall, was the largest and heaviest rocket ever launched from the UK mainland, and was launched from the Ministry of Defence test ranges at Otterburn in Northumberland.

Iris was flown to demonstrate the viability of launching micromachined diffraction lenses into space, as part of a geoengineering scheme devised by astronomer Roger Angel, a sunshield to diffuse the incoming radiation from the sun and offset global warming.

In the full-scale plan, 16 trillion lenses would be required to make up the million square miles of area of the sunshield. It is estimated that the shield would require one orbital launch every 20 minutes for about five years to be completed. The program also investigated the use of a "coil gun" electromagnetic launcher to propel the lenses into space.

Unfortunately, Iris, which featured seven Contrail O-6300 hybrid motors, suffered a delayed second stage ignition at around 3,500 feet, and the mission was unsuccessful.

The program Discovery Project Earth: Space Sunshield was broadcast on Discovery Channel September 12th at 9PM Eastern.

Copyright © 2008, Rocketeers.co.uk.

09-14-2008 09:45 AM  #1
brunerww New Member   Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 2	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Here is the video. Interesting in-flight performance of the O-6300s

09-14-2008 11:15 AM  #2
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland That's just funny on so many levels. Just Jerry

09-14-2008 10:42 PM  #3
Arnold Roquerre New Member   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 7	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland How sad to read that rocket scientists have been sucked into the hair brained theories of snake oil salemen Al Gore are wasting time trying to save the earth from a non-event. The last 5 years have seen no change in global temperatures. This year, global temperatures are in fact dropping. Pitty, that so many have been suckered into the greatest con in modern history. On the other hand, maybe, the lenses can be used to increase sunlight to the colder regions to reduce the catastrophic consequences of global cooling.

09-15-2008 09:03 AM  #4
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: How sad to read that rocket scientists have been sucked into the hair brained theories of snake oil salemen Al Gore are wasting time trying to save the earth from a non-event. The last 5 years have seen no change in global temperatures. This year, global temperatures are in fact dropping. Pitty, that so many have been suckered into the greatest con in modern history. On the other hand, maybe, the lenses can be used to increase sunlight to the colder regions to reduce the catastrophic consequences of global cooling. Moderator's Note: Let's stick to the rocket- while I have my own opinions on this - global warming is not the primary topic of this site. Any linkage of rockets or rocket technology to this topic is fine.

09-15-2008 03:30 PM  #5
Kapton Certified Level Two   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 34	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland IMHO, the show itself pays no mind to actual science (not debating anthropomorphic GW here, just the methods they use on the show). It wouldn't surprise me if the rocket was meant to fail, to make the show more entertaining.

09-15-2008 05:45 PM  #6
tmacklin Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 121	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Moderator's Note: Let's stick to the rocket- while I have my own opinions on this - global warming is not the primary topic of this site. Any linkage of rockets or rocket technology to this topic is fine. The original story was not just about the vehicle, a rocket, but also about its mission, that of putting a "sun screen" into orbit in an attempt to protect our fragile planet from global warming. Come to think of it, this seems to illustrate a recognition of the fact that it is the Sun, not man, who is the culprit in any planetary warming phenomina. I would, however, like to second the notion that Algore is a major league snake oil salesman, Nobel prize notwithstanding.

09-16-2008 12:05 AM  #7
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: The original story was not just about the vehicle, a rocket, but also about its mission, that of putting a "sun screen" into orbit in an attempt to protect our fragile planet from global warming. Your point is well taken - but the connection to this Forum is the rocket and not the mission. A little diversion to the mission is OK as long as it is in the context of discussion about the rocket. My example: What's the point of launching such a small scale rocket for vibration testing - you could do those tests on a vibration table. Until an actual vehicle is selected what does this do other than generate publicity and act as a stunt. I haven't heard anyone speculate why the rocket behaved so strangely. I can't follow how a 7 motor cluster could fail all seven motors in the same way - so what gives? Was this rigged or was this real? If real did they seriously underpower the thing or was there a malfunction? Also what kind of recovery fails to deploy on a rig that big. I have to assume multiple redundant electronics were on board - where can we get more details?

09-16-2008 12:52 AM  #8
StuBarrett Certified Level Eleven   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 137	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: That's just funny on so many levels. Just Jerry ROFLMAO, good one Jerry! Stu

09-16-2008 07:04 AM  #9
billspad none   Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 142	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: where can we get more details? From one of the builders on the Yahoo Hybrid Group: A quick synopsis. - Total build time 10 weeks. - From memory, 1650 lbs was the final lift off weight. We build our airframes using different techniques to HPR. Hence for the size our vehicles are much lighter than they look. Without motors the airframe and payload came in less than 1000 lbs. Less 'chutes and payload the basic airframe was around 800 lbs. - There were 22 motors in total: x12 38mm 6 grain smokeys at the bottom. (ignite at T=0) x4 O-6300 at the bottom. (ignite at T=0) x3 O-6300 at the bottom. (ignite using remote uplink) x3 extended 6G P54s at the top end. (ignite at apogee to separate the top of the vehicle from the booster section) - The design flight profile was as follows: 1. T=0 first stage ignition: 12 smokeys and 4 O motors. 2. at circa T=3 seconds: use remote uplink to air start 3 Omotors. (the choice of using a remote uplink related to dispersal and safety reasons) 3. At apogee, separation motors ignite separating payload section for booster. - What actually happened: We screwed up with the wiring looms at the base of the rocket; the 12 P38s dragged the igniters out of the O motors. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I'll be the first to say it was a basic mistake on our part and after doing this type of cluster before we should know better! splanked hands to me and Colin! As a result 1 of the 4 O motors didn't ignite at all. 2 of the other 4 motors had a "sluggish" ignition resulting in reduced thrust. This created an asymetric thrust from the pad. Because the whole purpose of the remote uplink was to reduce dispersion specifically from an asymetric profile we ended up being slower than planned in sending the command for second stage ignition to the rocket. [see note 1> Couple this with a rocket going slower than expected and also bear in mind it takes 3 seconds or so for those O motors to come up to pressure so started the anomoly that caused the lawn dart. See second stage ignition. Note 1: The encrpyted 64 bit remote uplink to the second stage (airstart) boost was via an onboard relay that was only live between T = +3 and + 5 seconds. If any command was received outside that window then second stage boost would have not been initiated) Second stage ignition Colin and I knew at that point we'd lost the rocket! I also had a minor nappy moment; seeing a large rocket like that stop in mid air and slide back a couple of feet was.........interesting. You can see the second stage boost then propels the rocket from a standing start in mid air back on course. Unfortunately the on board flight computers took the tail slide (as they should have done) as apogee. This initiated the 3 L motors on the nose of the rocket. At exactly the same time a peak thrust of 1.3 Tonnes x 3 motors came into play from the second stage boost. (The second stage air start, contrary to some reports, worked perfectly.) I had analysed a zillion failure modes as the Ministry of defence and CAA require and I have to say...I hadn;t even dreamed up this failure mode! By the time the rocket reached apogee, the single critical system that was required to separate the payload from the booster section (those 3 L motors) had been spent. Result:- lawn dart. All the other flight systems (x10 RDAS) worked perfectly and as required. Hope that helps to clarify a few things. As an aside.....being on a lifting platform 60 feet above the rocket putting the red nose on.......was terrifying. I'm not a great one for heights and when the wind blows you around like that...Scarey stuff! Anyways. Hope that helps clarify a few things. Regards Damian

09-16-2008 07:05 AM  #10
Bexclent Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 116	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Moderator's Note: Let's stick to the rocket- while I have my own opinions on this - global warming is not the primary topic of this site. Any linkage of rockets or rocket technology to this topic is fine. I thought this was Rocketry Planet?! I'm sure the rocket was meant to fail - it makes for good ratings, and as Uncle Vanya points out, there isn't any logical reason (at least from the standpoint of us logical rocket flyers) that all of the systems should have failed. Aren't these the same guys who flew that shuttle that crashed in the same manner?

09-16-2008 08:31 AM  #11
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland After reading what Bill posted I'm even more confused. If the booster / upper stage didn't separate - what kept the deployment from happening. Granted I imagine deployment would have been weird or failed to function correctly - but I didn't see any charges or anything. Also wouldn't the L motors in the 2nd stage have set the rocket on FIRE if they were burning inside? I'm having a lot of trouble digesting this. Lastly - 2nd stage fill at the pad hybrids? Doesn't that mean they vented away some of their oxidizer on the way up? Is that significant?

09-16-2008 08:32 AM  #12
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: I thought this was Rocketry Planet?! Ooops! You got me. It does say PLANET doesn't it. Well DANG!

09-16-2008 02:10 PM  #13
billspad none   Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 142	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Lastly - 2nd stage fill at the pad hybrids? Doesn't that mean they vented away some of their oxidizer on the way up? Is that significant? Venting isn't significant. Here's how they filled and disconnected the fill line: So we top fill the motors from the side of the rocket (have a look at the video again, you see the tower fall as the last one disconnects) we use a custom disconnect that is independently triggered with a check valve built into it. The vent pipes are also from the top and are arranged along the side of the rocket so that we can see when all motors are full. Colin Rowe

09-16-2008 02:24 PM  #14
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Venting isn't significant. Here's how they filled and disconnected the fill line: So we top fill the motors from the side of the rocket (have a look at the video again, you see the tower fall as the last one disconnects) we use a custom disconnect that is independently triggered with a check valve built into it. The vent pipes are also from the top and are arranged along the side of the rocket so that we can see when all motors are full. OK that makes some sense. So the vents were essentially sealed as they let the bird go. Still confused how not separating the two sections keeps altimeters from functioning or keeps the charges from working or keeps the rocket from getting set on fire - maybe just a lack of info on my end.

09-16-2008 02:30 PM  #15
jadebox Roger Smith   Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 45	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Still confused how not separating the two sections keeps altimeters from functioning or keeps the charges from working or keeps the rocket from getting set on fire - maybe just a lack of info on my end. The altimeters worked - sort of. The rocket used three L motors to seperate the top section for recovery. The altimeters detected apogee early, just when the second stage ignited. So the altimeters ignited the L motors, but they failed to deploy the recovery system. -- Roger

09-16-2008 02:36 PM  #16
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Still confused how not separating the two sections keeps altimeters from functioning or keeps the charges from working or keeps the rocket from getting set on fire - maybe just a lack of info on my end. I think you are picturing the rocket as two separate stages, when the fact of the matter is it was a 7 O motor cluster: Quote: - There were 22 motors in total: x12 38mm 6 grain smokeys at the bottom. (ignite at T=0) x4 O-6300 at the bottom. (ignite at T=0) x3 O-6300 at the bottom. (ignite using remote uplink) x3 extended 6G P54s at the top end. (ignite at apogee to separate the top of the vehicle from the booster section)

09-16-2008 02:45 PM  #17
contrailrockets Certified Level Two   Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 52	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Staging could probably be written to read "Airstarting" Tom

09-16-2008 02:45 PM  #18
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Now I'm starting to get it. the L motors were the "ejection charge" for the recovery. Comprehension... starting. I just reviewed the video. I see now that at 1:49 there is a lot of smoke from above. I presume these are the L motors firing.

09-16-2008 02:48 PM  #19
heada Certifiable   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1073	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Think more along the lines of the capsule escape motor for a Saturn V. The 3 L motors were to pull the top off. You have to think differently when dealing with a rocket of this size I guess. -Aaron

09-16-2008 03:03 PM  #20
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Until an actual vehicle is selected what does this do other than generate publicity and act as a stunt. It serves the essential commercial mission of filling cable and satellite network time with content sufficiently puriant to attract viewers and force them to accidentally see their commercials. Let's be clear about that. Just Jerry

09-16-2008 04:43 PM  #21
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: It serves the essential commercial mission of filling cable and satellite network time with content sufficiently puriant to attract viewers and force them to accidentally see their commercials. Let's be clear about that. And serves no other purpose, science and truth be damned.

09-16-2008 09:56 PM  #22
DAllen Certified Level Two   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 51	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: That's just funny on so many levels. Just Jerry I agree. It's also sad (or pathetic) on so many levels. -DAllen

09-16-2008 10:15 PM  #23
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: I agree. It's also sad (or pathetic) on so many levels. -DAllen "I" didn't say that. Just Jerry

09-16-2008 10:31 PM  #24
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: And serves no other purpose, science and truth be damned. Same with the show I did unless you include the first HPR rocket borne HD video ever broadcast. . . Just Jerry

09-16-2008 11:06 PM  #25
contrailrockets Certified Level Two   Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 52	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Jerry, I am pretty Sure the BBC airs Top Gear in High Definition. Both the Winter Olympics Special and The Reliant Robin were in High Def if I am not mistaken??? Someone in Europe correct me if I am wrong. Tom

09-16-2008 11:15 PM  #26
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1297	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Jerry, I am pretty Sure the BBC airs Top Gear in High Definition. Both the Winter Olympics Special and The Reliant Robin were in High Def if I am not mistaken??? Someone in Europe correct me if I am wrong. Tom Were those "HPR rockets" and was the rocket borne content captured in "HD"? Fair questions. My igniters did not move. People, however, are expendable. Just Jerry cite:

09-17-2008 10:31 AM  #27
ukrocketman New Member   Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland The onboard footage on the Reliant Robin Shuttle was not captured in HD because the bulletcams were SD and the transmitter / receiver sets definitely did not have sufficient bandwidth to handle HD. Were they HPR? Well they used HPR motors and some HPR components, but so to do the Starchaser rockets, and call those HPR and you'll get sued pronto

09-17-2008 12:27 PM  #28
new2hpr TRA 11304 L1   Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 19	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Well, at least they didn't edit in a "dramatic" explosion when it hit, as in the Reliant Robin Shuttle. Ken

09-17-2008 01:29 PM  #29
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: Were they HPR? Well they used HPR motors and some HPR components, but so to do the Starchaser rockets, and call those HPR and you'll get sued pronto More Bennett antics?

09-17-2008 08:20 PM  #30
ukrocketman New Member   Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland > More Bennett antics? No comment Well OK, just a personal opinion, but on the Iris rocket, not the other subject (although the last threat from the source of various antics was a while ago, maybe I should try for another one? ) ; I was delighted that Colin and Damian showed that they can build bigger, more complex and more media impressive rockets, and be very open about their sources of components and motors. Also, Damian has shown he has the balls to hold his hands up and fess up when things don't go entirely to plan.

09-17-2008 09:09 PM  #31
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland I certainly understand the issue with the "other" antics. It has been an issue for years. Media showman is my thought...

09-17-2008 10:47 PM  #32
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 3640	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: I certainly understand the issue with the "other" antics. It has been an issue for years. Media showman is my thought... You guys lost some of us.

09-18-2008 01:05 AM  #33
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: You guys lost some of us. If you have never had the pleasure of knowing about Steve Bennett, Mr. Please Put Me On-camera, you are luckier than us.

09-18-2008 08:59 AM  #34
jadebox Roger Smith   Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 45	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: If you have never had the pleasure of knowing about Steve Bennett, Mr. Please Put Me On-camera, you are luckier than us. I bought a plastic hard hat in his honor, but have yet to dig a hole to hide in during a launch! -- Roger

09-18-2008 01:03 PM  #35
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland He lost me when he started talking about riding in one of his high power rockets.

09-18-2008 01:42 PM  #36
ukrocketman New Member   Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland > He lost me when he started talking about riding in one of > his high power rockets. We offered to pay

09-18-2008 02:01 PM  #37
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 4014	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Quote: We offered to pay How unfortunate he turned you down.

09-19-2008 09:32 PM  #38
Astrosaint Astrosaint   Joined: May 2008 Posts: 13	Re: Article: Rocket Men launch ’Iris’, largest rocket from UK mainland Great ! Yet another Discovery Channel/BBC show giving an impression that rockets (especially HPR versions) are dangerous to onlookers !