PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In September of 2023, BHA originally unveiled the Insight Program with the primary goal of completing two fully integrated flights of the Insight Test Vehicle to test integrated flight avionics, recovery systems and procedures, and other supplementary ground systems of a fully integrated vehicle. Following a successful launch of Insight Research Mission 1 in February of 2024, the objective of the Insight Program has evolved to include a total of three launches of the Insight Test Vehicle and an experimental decent system to guide the vehicle to a pre-determined point on the range using airbrakes and canard-fins, the Descent Airbrake Guidance System (DAGS). Having a planned launch for August of 2024, Insight Research Mission 2 will fly the new Insight Test Vehicle Block 2 variant with limited deceleration-only functionality of the DAGS. The Insight Test Vehicle Block 2B will be flown on Insight Research Mission 3 to test demonstrate guidance and deceleration functionality of the DAGS.
3
total missions
1
total launches
2
scheduled launches
3+
vehicle configurations
INSIGHT TEST VEHICLE
The Insight Test Vehicle is a Class 2 High Power Amateur Rocket designed for transonic flight to demonstrate the end-to-end capabilities of BHA's launch operations and serve as proven and consistent test vehicle to offer a configurable platform for the in-flight evaluation of advanced amateur rocketry systems and technologies. The flight-proven design of the Insight Test Vehicle allows for a highly versatile vehicle with a maximum apogee of 8,500ft dependent on the configuration of the block and payload.
CONFIGURATIONS
ITV BLOCK 1 [Retired]
- Height: 66 in / 167.6cm
- Diameter: 3 in / 7.62 cm
- Wet Mass: 12 lbs / 5.4 kg
- Structure: Fiberglass
- Motor: K534W-14A
ITV BLOCK 2/2B [Active]
- Height: 72 in / 182.88 cm
- Diameter: 3 in / 7.62 cm
- Wet Mass: TBA
- Structure: Fiberglass and composites
- Motor: K535W-14A or K550W-14A
PERFORMANCE AND MOTOR
The Insight Test Vehicle Block 1 vehicle configuration employs the K535W-14A motor, engineered and produced by Aerotech RCS. In addition to the standard Aerotech K535W-14A that was flown on the Insight Test Vehicle Block 1 configuration, the Insight Test Vehicle Block 2 and Block 2B variants can accommodate the heavier and more robust K550W-14A motor when additional thrust or impulse is required for a specific mission. Both the Aerotech K535W-14A and K550W-14A motors are high-performance K-class solid rocket motors that utilize ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) to ensure reliable propulsion of the vehicle.
AEROTECH K535W-14A
- Total Impulse: 1,434 N-sec (322 lb-sec)
- Burn Time: 2.8 sec.
- Peak Thrust: 665 N (147 lbs)
- Propellant Weight: 745 grams (26.02 oz)
- Length: 358mm (14.1 in)
AEROTECH K550W-14A
- Total Impulse: 1,700 N-sec (382 lb-sec)
- Burn Time: 3.0 sec.
- Peak Thrust: 801 N (180 lbs)
- Propellant Weight: 880 grams (31.01 oz)
- Length: 381mm (24.98 in)
INSIGHT RESEARCH MISSION 1
February 16, 2024
On Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:05 p.m. CT, BHA successfully launched Insight Research Mission 1 (IRM-1), the first integrated test and inaugural launch of the Insight Test Vehicle (ITV) at BHA Launch Site 1 in Northern Iowa (LS-01).
The ITV’s K535-14A solid rocket motor, produced by Aerotech RCS, delivered 1,434 N-sec of total impulse during the flight and carried the ITV Block 1 to an apogee of 6750’ (above ground level) achieving a max velocity of Mach 0.75 (843 ft/s). At approximately two-and-a-half minutes into flight the ITV Block 1 touched down onto the range at LS-01 following two successful separation events of the vehicle and deployment of the drogue parachute followed by the main parachute.
LAUNCH SITE 1
MOVILLE, IOWA, USA
BHA's Launch Site 1 (LS-01) located in Moville, Iowa (N. Iowa, USA) if fully equipped to support the launches of BHA's Class 2 High Power Amateur Rockets to a maximum altitude of 10,400 MSL. LS-01 is operational from October through May, accommodating a range of launches, including all scheduled flights of the Insight Test Vehicle. LS-01 operates under a Certificate of Authroization issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, valid through 2025. BHA extends our sincere gratitude to the landowner of LS-01, Kuhn Farms, LTD, for their continued support and partnership.
BHA Launch Site 1 in Northern Iowa (LS-01) on February 18, 2024.