Overview of the Dolphin Rocket
The Dolphin was a small hybrid rocket developed by the American company Starstruck Inc. (later known as AMROC) in the early 1980s. It was designed to serve as a low-cost commercial sounding rocket that could also demonstrate technologies for larger orbital launch vehicles.
Some key details about the Dolphin rocket:
- Used a hybrid rocket engine burning solid fuel (HTPB) with liquid oxygen oxidizer
- Generated 155 kN (34,845 lbf) of thrust
- Was 15.5 m (50.8 ft) tall and 1.07 m (3.51 ft) in diameter
- Weighed 7,500 kg (16,500 lb) fully fueled
- Launched from a floating platform in the ocean rather than a traditional land-based pad
The Dolphin’s Single Test Launch
The Dolphin rocket had only one test flight, occurring on August 3, 1984.
Highlights of the launch:
- Took place off the coast of California with the rocket floating vertically in the ocean before launch
- Reached a peak altitude of 700 m, lower than the planned 2.4 km due to a valve failure causing the rocket to veer off course
- Was terminated by command from the launch control ship 14 seconds after liftoff
- Demonstrated the first launch of a privately-funded large rocket in the U.S. as well as the first flight of a large hybrid rocket anywhere
Unfortunately, with the test flight ending early and no further funding available, the Dolphin program was cancelled after this single launch attempt.
Legacy and Influence
Although short-lived, the innovative Dolphin rocket pioneered several concepts:
- Sea-based launch
- Large-scale hybrid propulsion
- Privately-funded rocket development, a growing trend in the launch industry
So while not an operational success itself, the Dolphin paved the way for future innovations in the commercial space sector. Its legacy lives on in various forms today.
