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First Test Flight of the PERUN Rocket Demonstrator

BySpaceForest
Perun rocket launching with visible flames and smoke.
Spectacular launch of the Perun rocket – captured from a distance.

On January 25, 2020, at the Drawsko Pomorskie Military Training Ground in Poland, SpaceForest successfully conducted the first test flight of the PERUN suborbital rocket demonstrator. This milestone marked a significant step in the development of low-cost access to suborbital space.

A Guided Suborbital Launch Vehicle

PERUN is a single-stage, guided suborbital launch vehicle powered by a hybrid rocket engine. Designed to provide high performance at a low cost of operation, PERUN is 11.5 meters long and 0.45 meters in diameter. For this test, it was powered by the SF200 hybrid engine, delivering a total impulse of 200 kNs.

The vehicle is part of the Suborbital Inexpensive Rocket project, aiming to demonstrate the viability of hybrid propulsion and reusable rocket technologies for scientific and commercial missions.

Perun rocket standing upright on the launch pad before liftoff.
Rocket Perun on the launch pad – ready for takeoff.

Mission Objectives

The primary goals of the test flight included:

  • Verifying the performance of a new mobile rocket launcher
  • Executing the complete launch procedure, from ignition to recovery
  • Maintaining real-time communication and telemetry acquisition using RASEL – a proprietary autonomous tracking and data transmission system for flying vehicles
  • Testing the aerodynamic behavior of the rocket during supersonic flight
  • Validating the head-body separation system in flight
  • Deploying the parachute recovery system at a designated altitude
  • Recovering the rocket post-landing and transporting it back to SpaceForest’s headquarters

Real-Time Tracking with RASEL System

During the flight, SpaceForest engineers utilized the RASEL system (Rocket Autonomous System for Evaluation and Link), an internally developed solution enabling live tracking, GPS positioning, and diagnostics transmission throughout the flight. This system played a critical role in capturing flight data and monitoring vehicle performance.

Perun rocket lying in a field after landing, partially covered by a parachute.
Perun rocket after landing

Flight Results

The PERUN rocket was launched at 16:48 local time, achieving Mach 1 velocity (approximately 1,225 km/h at sea level) and reaching an altitude of 9,750 meters. All mission objectives were successfully completed, confirming:

  • Structural and aerodynamic stability during ascent
  • Reliability of the onboard systems and tracking communication
  • Effective parachute deployment and safe recovery of the vehicle

Next Steps

The successful completion of this test flight validates the key subsystems of the PERUN platform and provides a strong foundation for future suborbital and atmospheric missions. The data collected will be instrumental in guiding subsequent development stages and bringing Poland’s first commercial suborbital launch vehicle closer to operational readiness.

Watch the launch!

Want to see the PERUN rocket test flight in action? Check out the official video from SpaceForest, capturing the liftoff, flight, and recovery:

Contact

If you have any questions about the PERUN rocket or SpaceForest activities, feel free to get in touch:

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