ROL NEWS--blacksky Optimal 102-H Hybrid and Hypertek Ground Support Equipment

blacksky Optimal 102-H Hybrid and Hypertek Ground Support Equipment April 12, 2006 Web posted at: 12:34 PM EDT

Carlsbad, CA (ROL Newswire) -- The blacksky Corporation has developed a minimum diameter, high performance Optimal 102 kit for the Hypertek M grain. The Optimal 102-H Hypertek equivalent is the M1001/M1040

5478/98-RG-M/MFX motor. The Optimal 102-H kit is ideal for research and educational purposes because is replicates many of the characteristics of "real" sounding rockets and can be completely disassembled. Capable of altitudes in excess of 7.6km/25K feet, this rocket can provide the practical experience necessary for the next generation of engineers and scientists. A complete system including rocket, launcher, and ground support equipment is available from blacksky.

The Optimal 102-H is designed with a custom 102mm/4inch OD tank that is also the center section of the airframe. The aft fin can section is attached with screws to the Tank Bulkhead-Injector assembly. The

3mm/0.125" Fins and Fin Can are fabricated of aluminum and designed with tapered leading and trailing edges. The forward Payload-Recovery section is designed with a recovery electronics bay for dual deployment using the blacksky Advanced Retention and Release Device (ARRD).

Specifications: Diameter ­ 102mm/4.0inches; Length 147cm/85 inches; Dry Weight (with unfired M-grain) 9.32kg/20.5lbs; Gross Take-off Weight (loaded with Nitrous Oxide) 13.18kg/29.0lbs; Recovery Weight

7.9kg/17.4lbs.

Blacksky has also upgraded the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for the Optimal 102-H and other Hypertek systems. All Solenoid Valves and the High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS) are now integrated with a solenoid saver style relay controller into a single housing called the Relay-Valve Assembly. This makes for an easier, more reliable set-up in the field. When the Relay-Valve assembly is integrated with the blacksky ProPad 2.0, set-up in the field takes less than 15 minutes with only a single cable connection at the Relay-Valve Assembly and Launch Controller. They also offer the Hypertek Drop-Stem assembly round out this system.

The Optimal 102-H kit is offered in its Beta Test form. The Relay-Valve Assembly GSE and ProPad 2.0 is available now from blacksky. Visit

for further details.

Source: Blacksky Corporation