The Australian Space Research Institute (ASRI)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Space_Research_Institute

The Australian Space Research Institute (ASRI)—often referenced as the Australian Space Research Institute Ltd , it was a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation that operated from 1991 to 2023, focusing on applied research and education in space technology. Its charity registration was voluntarily revoked on July 7, 2023, marking the end of its operations, as the landscape for space research shifted toward more formal, government-backed entities like the Australian Space Agency. 

Key Aspects of ASRI’s Final Years and Legacy:

• Operational Focus: ASRI aimed to fill gaps in Australian space capabilities, specifically in launch vehicles and satellite technology, often using volunteer labour to foster industry experience.
• Key Projects: The group was heavily involved in student experiments, which were launched from the Woomera range, and the development of custom nosecones and payload recovery mechanisms.
• The Zuni Program: ASRI worked extensively on rocket launches using Zuni motors, but the program was terminated due to limited range access, with the last campaign occurring in 2011.
• Conclusion: Following a decline in active projects and the destruction of its stockpile of Zuni motors in July 2020, the organisation's formal existence concluded with the voluntary revocation of its charity status in 2023. 

Evolution of the Sector:
While ASRI functioned as a volunteer-driven, non-profit, the current Australian space landscape has transitioned into a more commercialised, government-supported sector led by the Australian Space Agency (established 2018) and initiatives like the Australasian Space Innovation Institute (ASII), which launches in 2026 to accelerate industry commercialisation. 

Sounding Rockets

The Small Sounding Rocket Program (SSRP), initiated in 1996,^[4] provides Australian educational institutions with a low cost payload launch service. The service was expanded to include individuals, companies, foreign universities and non-commercial organisations seeking assistance to launch their own vehicles.

Launches were conducted twice a year from Woomera, South Australia. Two types of rockets were used:

• Sighter, a solid fuel rocket capable of launching a 3 kg payload to an altitude of 5.9 km at speeds over Mach 1, and
• Zuni, a solid fuel rocket capable of launching a heavier payload to an altitude of approximately 7 km, and reaching speeds of Mach 2.5.

The Australian Government donated its Zuni rockets to the ASRI for use in student experiments, which were launched from the Woomera launching range.

ASRI has also designed and constructed custom nosecones and payload recovery mechanisms for the Zuni.^[5] With a payload of 20 kg, the Zuni has an approximate range of 5.9 km, which it attains in about 40 seconds, experiencing 55 g and 491 m/s (Mach 1.4) during the flight.

Limited range access resulted in the termination of the program, with the final launch campaign occurring in 2011. Complete destruction of the ASRI stockpile of Zuni motors occurred in July 2020.

Launch vehicle development

The aim of the AUSROC program is to develop a micro-satellite launch vehicle capable of being scaled up for use in heavier launch vehicles.

AUSROC I

The AUSROC I program commenced in 1988 with a group of undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering at Monash University, who designed and built AUSROC I. It was successfully launched on 9 February 1989. The flight lasted one minute, reaching 3 km in altitude and 161 m/s. AUSROC I was a liquid-fueled rocket based on a modified Pacific Rocket Society design.^[6]

AUSROC II

AUSROC II was a larger pressure fed kerosene-oxygen bipropellant rocket that was developed in the 1990s. It was designed to reach an altitude of 10 km. The first attempt at launching an AUSROC II suffered a spectacular failure on the launch pad in 1992. The subsequent rocket, named AUSROC II-2 was successfully launched in 1995 from Woomera, although it did not reach its target apogee due to pressurisation problems with the LOX tank.

AUSROC 2.5

AUSROC 2.5^[7] was designed to provide an intermediate step between the AUSROC II and III programs. It uses the same size engine as the AUSROC III, but with simpler and easier-to-implement cooling methods. The primary objective was to deliver a 10 kg payload to an altitude of 20 km and recover the rocket intact.

AUSROC 2.5 was the principal subject of current development efforts. It was projected to launch in late 2007. Prior to that, a key milestone was the ground testing of the propulsion subsystem.

The project is currently seeking volunteers to assist with manufacturing, integration and testing.

AUSROC III

AUSROC III was designed to launch a payload of 150 kg to an altitude of 500 km. It was a sounding rocket that will incorporate active guidance for "live" steering, and a steerable parachute recovery system.

AUSROC IV

AUSROC IV was the final stage of the AUSROC program and consisted of five AUSROC IIIs, four for the first stage and one for the second stage. It was intended to place a small satellite (up to 35 kg) into a Low Earth Orbit.

AUSROC Nano

AUSROC Nano is a three-stage, liquid-liquid-solid orbital launch vehicle, designed to launch a payload of 10 kg into low Earth orbit at an altitude of 300 km. It was designed to incorporate a rapid setup and launch capability that would provide the payload with the option of polar or equatorial orbit profiles.

Satellites

The discontinued Australis Microsatellite program aimed to develop a low-cost, autonomous satellite that could be used for a variety of applications such as low Earth orbit communications, remote sensing and small scale science experiments.

JAESAT (Joint Australian Engineering Satellite) is a collaboration between ASRI, the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems, the Queensland University of Technology and Ukrainian Youth Aerospace Association, Suzirya, that began in 1997. The project was put on hold in 2000 when CRCSS withdrew funds due to cost and schedule over-runs with a joint American-Australian venture, FedSat.

Hypersonics

The Centre for Hypersonics at the University of Queensland (UQ) performs extensive research into developing the science behind scramjet propulsion.^[8]

The hypersonics project, currently on hold is a joint effort between ASRI and UQ to develop a free-flight scramjet engine.