Hercules IIIb "Harmony"

1. MaidenFlight

   Video coverage (7 MB)
   
   
   Mission: Structural Analysis And Engine Test
   
   Launch date T₀: Sunday, February 17, 2002, 13:15 CET
   Wind velocity: ca. 2 ^m⁄_s  1110° W
   Outdoor temperature: 279 K
   
   Stage launched: Ist
   Engine: D7-3
   
   
   Apogee: ca. 80 m AGL, 460 m ASL
   Flight duration: burnout: T+2.7 s apogee: T+6 s touchdown: T+35 s
   
   

   Mission accomplished

   The test flight of the first Hercules IIIb, "Harmony", was successful. Following a clean ignition and stable acceleration phase, the rocket and the payload segment separated at about 80 meters, where a structural deficit became evident: the heat of the ejection charge damaged the adapter between 1st and 2nd stage, so these two stages separated (unintentionally). Because no stage separation was planned for this flight, no parachutes had been installed in the first stage. The first stage tumbled towards ground, yet it was slowed enough by air friction to land safely. The third stage's twin parachutes deployed as planned and provided for a smooth landing of stages two and three. The payload section's triple parachutes deployed as well for a safe descent. All stages could be recovered.

   Special credits to:

   • [TSN]Waterloo for audio and video documentation
   • Professor S. for telemetry data und recovery assistance

   
   
   

   The damaged first stage
   

   Second and third stage, payload capsule
   

   Hercules IIIb "Harmony"
   

   
   
   
   

2. Flight 2

   Mission: Payload Lift Test
   
   Launch date T₀: Sunday, April 28, 2002, 18:05 CET
   Wind velocity: ca. 1.5 ^m⁄_s  90° W
   Outdoor temperature: 288 K
   
   Stage launched: Ist
   Engine: D7-3
   
   
   Apogee: ca. 65 m AGL, ASL tbd.
   Flight duration: burnout: T+2.7 s apogee: T+5.6 s touchdown: T+7.5 s
   
   

   Mission accomplished

   [additional coverage to follow]