Blushift Aerospace Launches Biofuel Rocket | Space News

The emerging aerospace company bluShift is aiming to revolutionize the small satellite launch sector by introducing a novel propellant system. Their rockets will utilize rocket fuels created from bio-based sources. These fuels present benefits over conventional options, specifically in terms of safer handling procedures and a reduced environmental impact throughout their lifecycle – from manufacturing to combustion.

Since its establishment in 2014, the company has dedicated its efforts to the development of this solid rocket biofuel. Progress has been supported by funding from the Maine Technology Institute and the NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which have enabled refinements to both the fuel composition and the rocket engine’s design.

A significant achievement occurred on Sunday with the successful launch of Stardust 1.0, a small sounding rocket representing the company’s first flight. This single-stage prototype is capable of carrying payloads weighing up to 18 lbs and is engineered for suborbital flights. While this capacity may appear limited, it is sufficient for deploying small-scale research instruments into near-space environments, making launches accessible to smaller businesses and educational organizations.

Stardust 1.0 is conceived with reusability in mind, despite its current status as a prototype. Simultaneously, bluShift is developing Stardust 2.0, an improved prototype intended to increase payload capacity and serve as the foundational design for future commercial rockets. These include Starless Rogue, a two-stage vehicle for suborbital missions, and Red Dwarf, a three-stage launcher with a 66-lb capacity designed to reach low Earth orbit.

The initial launch attempts on Sunday faced some challenges. The first attempt resulted in ignition without liftoff, and a subsequent reset also failed to ignite the rocket. Ultimately, the rocket successfully launched later in the day, with the company reporting a “perfect” flight during a subsequent media briefing.