PROJECT CHICORA
OBJECTIVE:   SPACE!    On April 12, 2011 to exceed an altitude of 62 miles (100 km) on a sub-orbital trajectory by developing the propulsion systems, structures, guidance, communications, ground support equipment and procedures needed to get there.

STATUS: We're still on the ground on April 12, 2011, but we did test a new engine on April 12 in honor or Yuri and Ed.   Project Peak is a necessary pre-cursor to Project Chicora.

WHY APRIL 12, 2011?

   - 30th anniversary of first Space Shuttle launch, April 12, 1981

   - 50th anniversary of first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, April 12, 1961

   - 60th anniversary of Ed


CHICORA:   The original (pre-colonization) name of Carolina.

   - The song:   "Lone star of nations! Chicora, Chicora!"

   - The 19th century iron clad vessel:   CSS CHICORA

   - The R&D sub-orbital space launch vehicle:  An expendable, liquid fueled (LOX, LPG), pressure fed, 500 lbs. thrust, Rocket vertically stabilized with gimballed chamber TVC.



Chicora performance - How High? (pdf) Screen shot of the program we use to estimate rocket performance.

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