SPARK (rocket)

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title: "SPARK (rocket)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["space-launch-vehicles-of-the-united-states", "university-of-hawaiʻi", "2015-in-spaceflight", "vehicles-introduced-in-2015", "microsatellite-launch-vehicles"] description: "American expendable launch system" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPARK_(rocket)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American expendable launch system ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox rocket"]

Field	Value
image	File:Super Strypi with HiakaSat at KTF (cropped).jpg
caption	Super Strypi rocket on the launch pad
name	SPARK
function	Expendable launch system
manufacturer	University of Hawaii
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Sandia
country-origin	United States
height	17 m
diameter	1.5 m
mass	28240 kg
stages	Three
location	400 km SSO
kilos	250 kg
family	Strypi
status	In development
sites	Barking Sands
launches	1
success	0
fail	1
first	3 November 2015
::

|image = File:Super Strypi with HiakaSat at KTF (cropped).jpg |imsize = |caption = Super Strypi rocket on the launch pad

|name = SPARK |function = Expendable launch system |manufacturer = University of Hawaii Aerojet Rocketdyne Sandia |country-origin = United States |height = 17 m |diameter = 1.5 m |mass = 28240 kg |stages = Three |capacities = |location = 400 km SSO |kilos = 250 kg |family = Strypi |status = In development |sites = Barking Sands |launches = 1 |success = 0 |fail = 1 |partial = |other_outcome = |first = 3 November 2015 |last = |payloads = SPARK, or Spaceborne Payload Assist Rocket - Kauai, also known as Super Strypi, is an American expendable launch system developed by the University of Hawaii, Sandia and Aerojet Rocketdyne. Designed to place miniaturized satellites into low Earth and Sun-synchronous orbits, it is a derivative of the Strypi rocket which was developed in the 1960s in support of nuclear weapons testing. SPARK is being developed under the Low Earth Orbiting Nanosatellite Integrated Defense Autonomous System (LEONIDAS) program, funded by the Operationally Responsive Space Office of the United States Department of Defense.

Configuration

SPARK is designed as a three-stage all-solid carrier rocket, with a spin-stabilized first stage known as LEO-46 and an active attitude control system on the second and third stages. It is launched using a new rail-guided system. It is expected to have a payload capacity of 250 kg to a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 400 km. Launches will be conducted from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands. Aerojet Rocketdyne will produce the motors for all three stages and Sandia is the prime contractor for the rocket's systems. The United States Air Force has provided launch support.

History

ORS-4

The first launch of SPARK, named ORS-4, took place on November 3, 2015 and was carrying HiakaSat (formerly called HawaiiSat-1) and several secondary payloads, including the Edison Demonstration of Smallsat Networks. The mission was supposed to test the rocket at its full payload capacity. However, telemetry showed the rocket tumbling soon after liftoff, and the U.S. Air Force released a statement, saying that the "experimental Super Strypi launch vehicle failed in mid-flight shortly after liftoff".

References

References

1. Graham, William. (November 3, 2015). "Super Strypi conducts inaugural launch – Fails during first stage". NASA Spaceflight.
2. "HawaiiSat-1". eoPortal Directory.
3. Krebs, Gunter. "SPARK". Gunter's Space Page.
4. Stephen Clark. (30 October 2015). "Inaugural launch of small-class rocket on hold in Hawaii". Spaceflight Now.
5. "Overview". Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory.
6. Taylor, Brian. "Innovative Satellite Launch Program". School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii.
7. "Spaceflight now".
8. "Missions". Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory, University of Hawaii.
9. Hall, Loura. "Swarming Space for Science".
10. "Live coverage: Maiden flight of Super Strypi launcher fails".
11. "'Super Strypi' Rocket Suffers Failure Shortly After Launch".

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