Slovenian rocketry

Found this whilst looking for something else; don't have a copy of the
article, just the abstract (which looks, um, strangely translated). But
it looks interesting...

'RCHX-1-STORM' first Slovenian meteorological rocket program
Kerstein A, Matko D, Trauner A, Britovsek Z
ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 55 (3-9): 717-733 AUG-NOV 2004

Abstract:
Astronautic and Rocket Society Celje (ARSC) formed a special working
team for research and development of a small meteorological hail
suppression rocket in the 70th. The bail suppression system was
established in former Yugoslavia in the late 60th as an attempt to
protect important agricultural regions from one of the summer's most
vicious storm. In this time Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia as one of
the federal republic with relative high developed agricultural region
production.

The Rocket program 'RCHX-STORM' was a second attempt, for Slovenia
indigenously developed in the production of meteorological hail
suppression rocket. ARSC has designed a family of small sounding rocket
that were based on highly promising hybrid propellant propulsion. Hybrid
propulsion was selected for this family because it was offering low
cost, save production and operation and simple logistics.

Conventional sounding rockets use solid propellant motor for their
propulsion. The introduction of hybrid motors has enabled a
considerable. decrease in overall cost. The transportation handling and
storage procedures were greatly simplified due to the fact that a hybrid
motor was not considered as explosive matter. A hybrid motor may also be
designed to stand a severe environment without resorting to conditioning
arrangements.

The program started in the late 70th when the team ARSC was integrated
in the Research and Development Institute in Celje (RDIC).

The development program aimed to produce three types of meteorological
rockets with diameters 76, 120 and 160 mm.

Development of the RCHX-76 engine and rocket vehicle including flight
certification has been undertaken by a joint team comprising of the
ARCS, RDIC and the company Cestno podjetje Celje (CPC), Road building
company Celje.

Many new techniques and methods were used in this program such as
computer simulation of external and internal ballistics, composite
materials for rocket construction, intensive static testing of models
and flight configuration with long flight-testing program.

The main features of this project were discussed in this paper,
summarizing the history of the development of the RCHX-STORM rockets
family.

**

And now, back to doing some work.

--
-Andrew Gray

On 2005-01-13, Andrew Gray wrote:
Found this whilst looking for something else; don't have a copy of the
article, just the abstract (which looks, um, strangely translated). But
it looks interesting...

And another:

VEGA rocket series of multi-stage amateur's rocket program - 1965-1968
Kerstein A, Krmelj M
ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 53 (4-10): 811-822 AUG-NOV 2003

Abstract:
The Astronautical and Rocket Society of Celje (ARSC - Astronavticno in
raketno drusto Celje) Slovenia has been involved in experimental
programs for students and adults since early in 1962 when the early
maned space flight inspired many young people.

In the history of ARSC (1962-1999) many project undergone the period 37
years, but one is significant; the PROJECT MULTISTAGE ROCKETS VEGA. The
present paper contain chronological and systematical presentation of
most rockets, launching and static tests undergone during the period of
1965-1968. VEGA - III - C launching was viewed by some of 500
participants of XVIII International Astronautic Federation Congress,
which was held in Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia at that time.

Project VEGA, whose main objecture was solid fuel micrograne motor
of 100 mm to 160 mm diameter improvements and interconnecting motors in
parallel spree and sequentially in stages has been completed with rocket
VEGA - IV. This rocket has never been launched and it is still in
storage.

**

--
-Andrew Gray