Operation Capybara

Operation Capybara was the largest independent rocket launch event in Latin America to date. Its goal was to launch Supernova Rocketry's Aspera to the target apogee of 3 km AGL and recover it safely. The rocket was thrusted by an SRAD M-class Solid Rocket Motor, propelled by 7 65/35 KNSB BATES grains.

The operation was headquartered at the Camboatá Farm - located in Saquarema, RJ - and the launch took place at the Marimbondo Farm - located in Araruama, RJ. Both are around 1 kilometer away from each other.

➞ About the operation➞ The Aspera rocket➞ Operators and spectators➞ Our launchpad

🚀 3 km target apogee

📍 Araruama, RJ, Brazil 🇧🇷

📅 November 3rd, 2023

Operation Capybara pre launch picture.

Results and Achievements

Aspera rocket liftoff in landscape. 03/11/2023

🚀 3342.9 m apogee

🚀 260.8 m/s top speed

🚀 14.97 g max acceleration

The launch was carried out successfully on November 3rd 2023 at 1:31 PM. The rocket reached an apogee of 3342.9 m and a top speed of 260.8 m/s. The rocket was recovered successfully on November 4th, with minor damage to the fuselage and the satellite bay.

Launch Operation

The launch operation began at 6:00 AM on November 3rd, 2023. A safety briefing was held at 7:00 AM, followed by the rocket assembly and ignition system setup. Once the rocket was assembled, the Range Safety Officer led the Flight Readiness Review process. While this was taking place, the Launch Director drove the perimeter control personnel and telemetry team to their respective positions.

The Flight Readiness Review was completed at 12:30 PM. The rocket was then taken from the assembly area to the launchpad, where it was loaded onto the rail. The Launch Readiness Review was completed and the ignition was authorized. After the countdown, the ignition system was activated and the motor took around 8 seconds to properly ignite.

The rocket had a stable flight up to its apogee when the drogue parachute was deployed. Unfortunately, the main parachute was deployed right after the drogue, likely due to a mechanical failure. This meant that the vehicle descended at a much lesser rate than expected, letting the wind carry it further away from the launchpad.

Search Operation

The search operation was initiated about 30 minutes after the touchdown had been announced by the Chief of Operations. Two cars, with 5 operators in each, were deployed to the approximate location of the rocket. In the meanwhile, the telemetry team was estimating the vehicle's position using the coordinates provided by team members who had written down the northern azimuth of the touchdown and their respective locations. After 3 hours of search, the team was unable to find the rocket and the operation was adjourned for the day.

On November 4th, a drone operator was hired to help with the search with views from the device's camera. Again, two cars were sent to the approximate location: one with the drone operator in the back seat and the other carrying 12 people, with a trailer. The rocket was found on November 4th at 11:06 AM in a pasture, about 2 kilometers away from the launchpad.

Felipe Bogaerts de Mattos | 2024