FRC Flight 315

Case Study – First Rock Consulting

Proof of Concept – May 2025

First Rock Consulting (FRC) is working with a select group of customers that are wanting to test low-space (sub-orbital) payloads for a multitude of unique application users.

FRC partnered with Sunburnt Space Co (the only NSW space manufacturer in active rocket production) to arrange a series of rocket flights all of which carried specific client related assets on board the rocket. The aim of these flights was to trial, test and validate as well as in several cases deploy products mid-flight. These flights included client related equipment, product merchandise and other scientific content.

First Rock Consulting was eager to partner with Sunburnt Space Co to map out the planned rocket development and launch program and it provided the perfect alignment for both organisations. More importantly the collaboration is a perfect fit for FRC’s end client needs and application specific requirements.

Mitchell Filby Managing Director of First Rock Consulting stated that “we are increasingly seeing many firms (from small to enterprise) are wanting to not only test and validate unique product applications, but they are also recognising that the early adopters can differentiate themselves by using rocket fly launches and payloads to accelerate time to market as well as future product, scientific and market development plans”

The Flight

The flight was quickly prepped, with payload integration and recovery completed back at the factory. On launch day, I loaded the solid rocket motor, filled in the flight card, and ran through a full flight safety review to get the green light.

With the all-clear from Flight Safety, I loaded the rocket onto the launch rod, inserted the igniter, confirmed continuity, and handed it over to the Launch Control Officer for countdown and liftoff.

We performed two launches for First Rock.

• Flight 1: A Manly/Warringah NRL squishy ball was deployed mid-air and fell back via tumble recovery.
• Flight 2: A Manly/Warringah supporter flag streamed back to earth like a ribbon.

Each flight soared approximately 1,000 ft (~305 metres) into the sky. At apogee, the built-in ejection charge triggered, deploying the payloads just as planned. Both the squishy ball and flag returned to earth smoothly and were successfully recovered. Mission complete.

Now the flight is done, FRC will look to use the photos and video in some very creative marketing campaigns. The experience has given FRC a way to generate a lot of content from a simple flight.

▶️ Watch the video below to see the full journey from prep to launch to recovery.