The test was conducted with the fully assembled module stack underneath the rocket's nose cone and node cone recovery system in flight configuration. The flight system weathered a random acceleration profile of 12.9g rms over 60 seconds. Before and after the test, all functions were checked out successfully.

However two problems showed during the test.

For one, some screws in the rocket nose cone became loose as a result of the vibration load. The suggested solution is to check all screws if they are tightened to their specified torque rating.

As for MIRIAM, it was found that the main release interlock mechanism, which clamps the MIRIAM Service Module to the camera module bulkhead's interface ring, unintentionally turned to the full release position during the test. Because of cost, launch safety and ITAR constraints, the MIRIAM Service Module is not bolted to the interface ring by pyro bolts, but an electro-mechanically actuated release mechanism. An immediate investigation showed that a series of events led to the unintentional release: due to the vibration load, the lug nuts used to adjust the pre-loading tension of the interlock bolts loosened, weakening the clamps. This in turn caused the interlock bolts to move to the release position, against the force of the unpowered actuators.

During the early design phase of the project, this possibility was briefly discussed, but experience with REGINA and Parabolic Flights showed that unpowered actuators are able to hold the mechanism shut. However, the loosening of the pre-tension nuts as well as the overall higher mass and higher location of the center of mass added up unfavorably.

Since no structural damage resulted from the test, no parts have to be replaced. The solution to the problem is to secure all pre-tensioning nuts, and to implement an active Hold-Lock function, which has to be engaged prior to launch. It essentially means actively holding the actuators shut by powering them up and commanding them to hold their lock position - yielding a high holding force at the expense of electrical power.

The only damage to the system was suffered by the main interface connector between the two modules, the rim of which was dented. This damage could be repaired on location, however.

No delay in flight schedule is expected to result from this issue.

ARCHIMEDES is an effort to probe the atmosphere of planet Mars by means of a hypersonic drag balloon, a device known as a "ballute". The project is currently under study, proposed and supported by the Mars Society Germany, the Universität der Bundeswehr München, the AMSAT-DL .e.V. organization, the DLR, and several other research institutions and industrial companies. The plan is to integrate the probe into the AMSAT's P5-A Mars satellite, and to release it from the spacecraft when in orbit around the planet. Launch of the P5-A is currently planned for late 2011 as a piggyback payload on an Ariane V rocket, as it is standard practice for spacecraft of the German AMSAT section. It is jointly developed by The Mars Society Germany and several institutes of the University of the Federal Armed Forces of Germany in Munich.

MIRIAM combines all research programs within the ARCHIMEDES development program, and is currently planned for launch to a 200km peak altitude from the SSC ESRANGE rocket test site near Kiruna, North Sweden on top of the REXUS4 sounding rocket managed and built by the DLR Moraba group of Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. MIRIAM's launch is now planned for October 21, 2008.

To obtain more information please feel free to direct inquiries to the German Mars Society - an independent organization affiliated with the International Mars Society - at either hg@marssociety.de or hannes.griebel@unibw.de. More information is also available at the German Mars Society's web site.