Who is Phoenix and why was it in the city centre? 

Phoenix is our sounding rocket, which we have spent the last 12 months designing, building and testing. It will be launched on 2 or 3 November this year, reaching an altitude of around 9 km. Before the launch, the individual parts of the rocket must be carefully and structurally assembled. The final preparations are currently underway to ensure that the entire assembly process runs smoothly during the launch, with a particular focus on optimising collaboration. 

Due to the presence of different systems, a rocket assembly consists of numerous stations in which all our technical teams have to work together in an integrated manner. We start with the tank as the central element of the rocket and assemble the corresponding hydraulic components. This includes the quick disconnect to the ground station, main and secondary valves, as well as sensors for measuring pressure and flow rate. Once this intermediate stage is in place, the combustion chamber is assembled together with the injector plate, paraffin fuel, igniter, nozzle, etc. This completes the lower part of Phoenix, followed by the nose cone and the fairing – which contains the recovery system and the flight computers. Last but not least, the fins and the boattail are added as aerodynamic interface elements at the height of the combustion chamber and Phoenix with a total length of more than 4.5 metres is assembled. 

In our various test runs, we were able to develop a routine for the processes as well as estimate the time required: on average around 1.5 hours. 

One of these montages were carried out in Bremen’s public space, at the Hanseatenhof. Despite the changing weather at that saturday noon, we and the interested viewers had a great time at this public assembly! Many passersby and children were able to ask their questions. Thereby we were able to represent our “City of Aerospace” Bremen in a special way while showing our own enthusiasm for space. We want to make learning about and the fascination for space reachable – not just for the technically savvy, but also for all the stargazers and creative space-dreamers.  

All in all, we are very happy with our public assembly! Next comes the last days and weeks of preparation for the delivery from Phoenix to the Californian Mojave Desert, U.S.. The launch date is the weekend of November 2nd – November 3rd, 2024 between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., german time.