THE STARCHASER PROJECT

Starchaser Industries is a privately held, high technology company that specialises in the development, operation and commercialisation of space related products and services. Starchaser enables new space related business opportunities by providing safe, reliable, affordable and reusable access to space for both the space tourism and micro-satellite launch markets.

Founded in 1992 by current CEO Steve Bennett, the company is staffed by a highly skilled, innovative and motivated workforce based at its research & development, assembly and integration facility in Hyde, Cheshire, UK. Steve Bennett also serves as the Director of Space Technology at the University of Salford.

Starchaser Industries have approved ESA bidder status and are members of many industry/professional organisations including; The Institute Of Directors, the Association of Specialist Technical Organisations for Space (ASTOS), and are associate members of the UK North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA).

Space Tourism

Starchaser Industries also has an established and highly successful Outreach Programme that engages with both the general public and education. Starchaser’s educational activities complement the UK national curriculum and help inspire and motivate students at all levels to pursue careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Starchaser provides students with opportunities for involvement in research and development projects to actively promote the STEM subjects and encourage them to pursue higher education at the graduate and doctorate levels.

The whole World watched as Neil Armstrong walked down the steps of the Lunar Lander to become the first human to set foot on another celestial body. The gigantic leaps in technology that made this feat possible are a testament to man’s determination and ingenuity and proved that we can accomplish anything when we share a common vision

Since the dawn of the Space Age only a select few have been able to experience the exhilaration and excitement of space flight. We are only now seeing the first pioneer space tourists, over 43 years after Yuri Gagarin’s first flight, and it’s still only the extremely wealthy individuals that can afford the multi-million dollar price tag.

The private sector is now rising to the challenge and developing the vehicles that will open up access to space for all of us. The World’s first private Astronaut completed a sub-orbital flight in June 2004 proving beyond doubt that Space is no longer the preserve of World governments. Starchaser Industries are building the hardware to make the dream of space flight a reality for all.

Starchaser are supporters of the X PRIZE foundation and are registered competitors in X PRIZE competitions. These X PRIZE competitions complement Starchaser’s near term objectives and provide a framework that provides additional exposure for Starchaser and for promoting commercial access to space.

StarChaser 4

NOVA / STARCHASER 4

NOVA - First Flight : Overall Dimensions

Height: 11m (37 feet)

Diameter: 1254mm (4 feet)

Finspan: 3356mm (11 feet)

Launch mass: 747kg (1643lb)

Recovery: Parachute

Propellant: Solid

Total impulse: 221 kNs (50,000 lb seconds)

Maximum speed: 223 metres/s (500 mph)

Max altitude: 1688.8 metres (5541 feet)

Launch date: 22nd November 2001

Location: Morecambe Bay

Outcome: Successful

The primary objective of the Nova / Starchaser 4 unmanned test flight was to validate the mobile launch tower, NOVA airframe, capsule parachute descent, booster system, onboard computers/telemetry and the GPS system.

The propulsion system used was configured specifically to meet the requirements of this first test flight. A bespoke propulsion system in the form of the Churchill Mk3 bi-liquid engine is now in the manufacture stage.

The StarChaser Project can be seen and learnt more about at the highly worthwhile and newly opened Spaceport.

( http://www.spaceport.org.uk/ )

By Mersey Ferry

River Explorer Cruises depart hourly from the Pier Head, Liverpool and from Woodside, Birkenhead and stop on route at Seacombe Ferry Terminal for passengers to visit Spaceport. River Explorer Cruises operate from 10am - 3pm weekdays and 10 am - 6pm weekends. Direct cross river services operate on Monday to Fridays from 4.15pm onwards. For further timetable information on Mersey Ferries see www.merseyferries.co.uk or phone: 0151 330 1444.

By Rail & Bus

Take the train to James Street Station, Liverpool on Merseyrail and then follow the sign posts to the Pier Head (5 mins walk) . Take a Mersey Ferry to Seacombe Ferry Terminal and Spaceport.

Take the train to Hamilton Square Station, Birkenhead on Merseyrail, on exiting the station cross over the road and head towards the bus stops in front of you. At the furthest bus stop the 409 or 401 Arriva service calls at Seacombe and Spaceport.

For further information on rail and bus links to Spaceport, please call Traveline Merseyside on 0870 608 2 608 or log on to: www.merseytravel.gov.uk

By Car

From the M56 westbound, turn right onto the M53 J11. Follow the M53 motorway to J1, take A5139 [Docks Link/ Dock Road]. Roundabout, straight over on the A5139. Next roundabout, left onto the A554. The terminal building is on the right hand side, with 200 free car park spaces.

Spaceport only

Adult £6.95

Child (3 years and over) £4.50

Family (2 adults up to 3 children) £18.95

Concession £4.95

Spaceport & Mersey Ferry River Explorer Cruise

Adult £9.95

Child (3-4 years) £4.50

Child (5 years and over) £6.50

Family (2 adults up to 3 children) £25.95

Concession £6.70

Opening Times

Spaceport is open from 26th July 2005.

It is closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays and during August when Spaceport is open 7 days a week.

Spaceport is open all Bank Holidays except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Open Tuesday to Sunday

Opens 10.30am

Last Admission 4.00pm

Closes 5.30pm

Adults must accompany children under 14 years