INNOVATIVE SPACE CARRIER INC.(CHUO-KU, TOKYO; CEO; KOJIRO HATADA, HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS "ISC") IS "A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE AND CARGO ARE DELIVERED EVERY DAY. WE ARE A START-UP COMPANY THAT AIMS TO REALIZE A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT MAKES SPACE POSSIBLE. ( REUSABLE) IS A START-UP COMPANY THAT AIMS TO REALIZE A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT MAKES SPACE POSSIBLE.
We are pleased to announce that we have conducted a drop test on the "ASCA hopper" mission, a small rocket takeoff and landing test for space reusable, assuming a reusable rocket.
Outline of the "ASCA hopper mission
The ASCA hopper mission is the first test for the ASCA project, a reusable space reusable aircraft developed by ISC.
The mission aims to develop the "ASCA hopper," a small rocket takeoff and landing test, to confirm the three elements of rocket engine combustion, vehicle takeoff and landing, and inspection and maintenance necessary for reuse, and to develop reusable launch vehicles for the subsequent small satellite launcher "ASCA 1" and human space transportation vehicle "ASCA 2. The objective is to acquire the capability
Drop test of a reusable rocket with simulated landing
CONVENTIONAL ROCKETS ARE MAINLY DISPOSABLE, BUT THE ASCA PROJECT, WHICH IS BEING DEVELOPED BY ISC, AIMS TO REALIZE A REUSABLE SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE. THEREFORE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ESTABLISH NOT ONLY THE LAUNCH TECHNOLOGY BUT ALSO THE TECHNOLOGY TO SAFELY AND SECURELY LAND THE ROCKET AFTER LAUNCH.
The test conducted this time was aimed at acquiring the capability to develop a landing-leg structure for a rocket. A test vehicle with mass and center of gravity characteristics equivalent to those of the actual "ASCA hopper" was fabricated, lifted to a predetermined height by a crane, and then free-fall dropped.
Landing behavior analysis and validation of landing gear design
The drop test, conducted from Monday, April 21, 2025 to Thursday, April 24, 2025, was designed to obtain the necessary data for each of the following two objectives.
1. Validation of landing behavior analysis
To validate the landing behavior analysis tool to be used in the development of the landing legs for the ASCA 1 series, which is targeted for launch demonstration after 2025, and to acquire data to improve analysis accuracy.
2. Design verification of the landing gear
To verify the validity of the design results of the landing gear designed and manufactured for the "ASCA hopper mission" through drop tests.
test overview
FOLLOWED BY THE SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE "ASCA 1" AND THE HUMAN SPACE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE "ASCA 2
BASED ON THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THIS TEST, WE AIM TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY OF THE REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT SMALL SATELLITE LAUNCHER "ASCA 1" AND THE HUMAN SPACE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE "ASCA 2".
Other reference photos
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