The new DLRmagazine is hereRocket test in Norway, stress test in the cockpit, autonomous driving on our roads
The ATHEAt research rocket, shown here awaiting its launch in Andรธya, Norway, is 13.5 metres long. It is powered by two engines: the lower stage, known as RED KITE, is a very powerful solid rocket motor developed by DLR in cooperation with the company Bayern-Chemie. The second stage uses a Canadian โBlack Brantโ rocket motor. This combination is particularly well suited for microgravity and hypersonic research. The payload sits at the tip of the rocket, serving both as a research experiment and a heat shield. With ATHEAt, DLR is investigating reusable components for space transportation vehicles, including the challenges associated with atmospheric re-entry.