Dear readers,

First of all, my apologies for not saying that I was on vacation. I got a lot of questions asking if I had stopped writing for Wired but that is absolutely not the case. I just took 3 weeks off with my family after the successful launch of Sapphire. Sorry for the confusion.

Tomorrow I am back at the Horizontal Assembly Building at Copenhagen Suborbitals - and August is going to be a very busy month with a lot of very interesting stuff happening. I am really looking forward to sharing it all with you!

The plans are as follows:

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LES/capsule tests__

We need to finish the two 1/3 scale capsule/LES models. The final aerodynamic shape of the capsule and the launch escape system (LES - a rocket on top of the capsule to save it from a failing launch vehicle) was established in 1/10 scale using a vertical wind tunnel. Now we are almost done building these larger models intended to be launched with a solid rocket engine.

Peter Madsen has already performed four rocket motor engine tests and they were all successful. The launch will take place at a new launch site west of Sealand - hopefully late August once again using launch platform Sputnik.

Uprighting system

A full scale model of Tycho Deep Space II has already been build and the upper recovery section is being installed with uprighting bags to be deployed post-splashdown. René and I will design and build the balloon system (using pilates balls and club-soda bottles) and hopefully test this uprighting system late August in the local Copenhagen harbor dock.

Planning HEAT2X and TDSII

We have already decided to launch HEAT2X next summer 2014. This liquid propellant rocket will have its apogee somewhere between 50-90 km. The payload is dedicated my spacecraft department and we will decide what systems to pack inside for testing our systems. The planing of this will begin early August together will all other teams at Copenhagen Suborbitals.

The spacecraft department will also re-start our meetings getting all detailed in place for Tycho Deep Space II. We need to get everything down on paper and lock the design as we go.

Spacesuit

One of the most interesting things going on in August is a visit of spacesuit designer Cameron Smith and his partner John Haslett. They will come all the way from Oregon to Copenhagen so we can see, feel, smell and test the suit. I have planned to do a ingress/egress test using Tycho Deep Space II hatch entrance, seating try-outs, free-fall testing suited up, high-altitude chamber testing at the main hospital here in Copenhagen. These tests are going to be great fun and amazing learning experiences - but further more I am really looking forward to shake the hands of these guys and finally meet them in person.

So, August is packed with great stuff. Cant wait to get back at it.

This project, started out five years ago with only Peter and I, have really turned itself into a tiny Apollo-program. I love it!

ps. BTW. I am launching a webpage soon dedicated a crowd-researched manned mission to Jupiter ice-moon Europa.

Ad Astra

Kristian von Bengtson