incidents or accidents in ICLR project
Dear Imperial College London,
recently came across a project called "Imperial College London Rocketry" (ICLR) and have serious concerns about the safety practices followed during their last hot fire test.
Two industry professionals have publicly come out and criticised the safety procedures in place for the project.
In light of these concerns, I request the following information:
Records of any incidents or accidents that have occurred during the “Imperial College London’s Rocketry” project's hot fire tests and rocket launches, including any injuries sustained by individuals involved or damages to the environment.
Yours faithfully,
Shane Davies
Dear Shane Davis,
We have recorded your Freedom of Information Act request as follows:
A copy of the risk assessments carried out for the hot fire tests conducted by the Imperial College London Rocketry project.
A summary of the safety protocols in place during the hot fire tests, including details of any protective measures such as barriers or enclosures.
Records of any incidents or accidents that have occurred during the “Imperial College London’s Rocketry” project's hot fire tests and rocket launches, including any injuries sustained by individuals involved or damages to the environment.
Yours,
Anita Hunt
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Dear Shane Davis,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information Act request. Your request and the College’s response can be found in the College’s FOI Disclosure log under the heading “Imperial College London Rocketry risk assessments and safety protocols”.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-service...
Yours,
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Please note that if you are unhappy with the way that we have handled your request, you can ask us to conduct a review. Please make your representation in writing within 2 months of the date you received this response. If you remain dissatisfied with how Imperial College has handled your request, you may then approach the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Dear IMPFOI,
Thanks for the reply. I haven’t got a breakdown of accidents that have occurred during launches and hot fire tests at ICLR. In the log of accidents please include a breakdown of what the damages were (including environmental).
Yours sincerely,
Shane Davies
Dear Shane,
The College stated in our response that there are no records of any accidents. Perhaps this was phrased badly, there have been no accidents.
Yours,
Anita Hunt
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Dear IMPFOI,
I am reaching out to you with a matter of utmost importance that requires your prompt attention. As per recent developments, I have gathered information suggesting a critical incident pertaining to a rocket launched by ICLR in Portugal. The information alleges that the said event culminated in a substantial explosion and caused environmental damages in 2021. This new found evidence and claim go against the explicit statement by the College stating "there have been no accidents."
In light of the potential severity of the situation, I request your immediate assistance in confirming the veracity of these claims.
Yours sincerely,
Shane Davies
Dear Mr Davies,
Thank you for your email. We wrote to you on Tue 30/05/2023 14:40 to advise that the College's response to your previous request (our reference) and all information provided related to ICLR's hot fire tests, not launches. We asked you to confirm whether you wished to submit a new request relating to rocket launches in 2021. AS you have now submitted a query about a launch, we will treat that as a new request and not an Internal Review.
The College will respond to your request on or before 9 August.
Yours,
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Dear Shane Davies,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information Act request.
We wrote to you on 30 May to make clear that the information provided in our response to your first request about Imperial College London Rocketry (ICLR) related to ICLR's hot fire tests and not to launches.
An event was organised in Portugal in 2021 by the United Kingdom Rocketry Association (UKRA). ICLR successfully launched a rocket, but the recovery system (deployment of parachutes) failed and thus the rocket impacted the ground at high speed and was destroyed. Both the operators and spectators were at a safe distance; no harm was caused to people or property. The event in Portugal was arranged and administered between the ICLR student team and the event organisers who had safety procedures in place for anticipated launch scenarios.
Yours,
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Please note that if you are unhappy with the way that we have handled your request, you can ask us to conduct a review. Please make your representation in writing within 2 months of the date you received this response. If you remain dissatisfied with how Imperial College has handled your request, you may then approach the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Dear Shane Davies,
I am writing to you as it has come to my attention that the information provided in our response to your Freedom of Information Act (our ref. IMPFOI-23-360) was incorrect.
The event in Portugal referred to previously was not in fact organised by
Yours,
Anita Hunt
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Dear Shane Davies,
I am writing to you because it has come to my attention that the information provided in our response to your Freedom of Information Act (our ref. IMPFOI-23-360) was incorrect.
The event in Portugal referred to previously was not in fact organised by the United Kingdom Rocketry Association (UKRA). They have advised that they were not involved in the organisation, facilitation or any other aspect of the event in Portugal nor were they consulted by any ICL team regarding this event.
My apologies to you and to UKRA for including incorrect information in our response to you.
Yours,
Anita Hunt
Access to Information Manager
Central Secretariat
Imperial College London
Yours,
Anita Hunt
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Dear IMPFOI,
I am following up regarding the Imperial College London Rocketry (ICLR) launch in Portugal in 2021. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify that UKRA was not involved in organizing this event. However, your latest email contains further concerning inaccuracies:
- You state the launch was successful, when photographic evidence clearly shows an explosion occurred. This indicates major failure, not success.
- Your claim no harm was caused is questionable given the environmental damage visible.
- There are credible reports that last-minute, untested propulsion changes led to the explosion. This implies lapses in safety protocols.
I would like to know:
- Was a formal post-flight investigation and report conducted? If so, I request a copy.
- How did ICLR receive clearance for an international launch without UKRA support? Did you follow all UK regulations?
- What insurance policies were in place?
- Will ICLR be working with UKRA for any future launches to ensure proper oversight and adherence to safety best practices? As the UK's governing body for amateur rocketry, they should be involved.
Rocketry carries inherent risks, but proper procedures and transparency around failures is critical. The conflicting accounts and dismissal of damage are troubling. I hope Imperial will take this opportunity to thoroughly review what went wrong and implement changes to prevent recurrences. Students should feel empowered to speak up about safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
Please advise if a formal inquiry is underway and share plans to improve oversight going forward. I believe open dialogue and accountability will best serve the student rocketry community long-term.
Sincerely,
Shane Davies
Dear Mr Davies
This is to acknowledge receipt of your request, made under the Freedom of Information Act. The College will respond to your request by 11 September 2023.
Yours,
Freedom of Information Team
Imperial College London
Dear Shane Davies,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information Act request.
To clarify our previous response to you, we stated that the rocket had
launched successfully but the recovery system (deployment of parachutes)
failed and thus the rocket impacted the ground. We also stated that “no
harm was caused to people or property”.
1. Was a formal post-flight investigation and report conducted? If
so, I request a copy.
Imperial College Rocketry is a student-led team, not subject to the
Freedom of Information Act. While the College provides guidance and
assistance on matters such as health and safety and insurance, the College
does not manage or administer ICLR. Imperial College did not conduct a
formal post-flight investigation.
2. How did ICLR receive clearance for an international launch
without UKRA support? Did you follow all UK regulations?
As stated above, ICLR is a student-led team, not subject to the Freedom of
Information Act; no information is held on this at College level.
[1]ICLR’s website states that the launch in Portugal in 2021 was at the
European Rocketry Challenge. You may want to approach that organisation
for information about clearance and relevant regulations.
3. What insurance policies were in place?
The students had travel insurance provided by the College. ICLR activity
during the launch at Portugal was covered under UKRA third party
insurance.
4. Will ICLR be working with UKRA for any future launches to ensure
proper oversight and adherence to safety best practices? As the UK's
governing body for amateur rocketry, they should be involved.
Imperial College is not able to comment on the future intentions of ICLR.
Yours,
Freedom of Information Team
[2]Imperial College London
Please note that if you are unhappy with the way that we have handled your
request, you can ask us to conduct a review. Please make your
representation in writing within 2 months of the date you received this
response. If you remain dissatisfied with how Imperial College has handled
your request, you may then approach the [3]Information Commissioner’s
Office.
Hello,
I believe Imperial College London Rocketry, as an organisation affiliated with and funded by Imperial College London, is subject to FOI requests as it bears the university's name. Moreover, on the website it states it is managed by the Aeronautics Department.
My aim is to better understand the policies and procedures around regulatory compliance, insurance, investigations, etc. for their rocket launches. I believe this information should be accessible in the interest of transparency and safety best practices within amateur rocketry.
I will wait 5 working days for the requested information (an extension to FOI guidelines for my previous request).
I hope we can work together to address these concerns constructively. However, I am prepared to pursue the formal FOI process if needed to obtain the requested details about rocket launch oversight.
Regards,
Shane Davies
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