Investigation into Invictus-Redshift's First Flight
By Christian Temelkoski - Last Edited August 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
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On August 9th, 2026 after a long and difficult build process Invictus-Redshift lifted off from Muncie, Indiana for the first time at 4:40 PM local time using an I140 on the first stage, the largest motor we have flown yet, and a G78 on the second stage. The rocket made it through stage 1 burn nominally, but unfortunately did not light Redshift, the second stage.
Exela identified 10 primary issues with the Invictus-Redshift Flight 1 campaign
While assembling various parts of the rocket, cracking was observed in the phenolic airframe. For this reason and others, we will no longer be using phenolic airframes. The cracks were patched with epoxy.
2. During installation of the second stage's engine mount, a low amount of epoxy was used. This did not cause an issue during flight but should be avoided for safety reasons.
3. The fin tab slots were not cut wide enough for the fins initially due to an issue with the design of the 3d printed guide.
4. No motor retainer was printed for the first stage. The motor had to be glued into place prior to flight.
5. The rail buttons were not perfectly aligned vertically. This is a minor issue but isn't great.
6. The onboard views did not function.
7. No locating electronics were present in the first stage, which led to us losing it.
8. The tube coupler/diameter transition piece between the first and second stages was not as tight as it should have been on the second stage.
9. The fin tab slots were not cut wide enough for the fins initially due to an issue with the design of the 3d printed guide. This also caused cracking of the phenolic airframe.
10. The Apogee Simple Timer for Staging in Redshift did not work. Therefore, Redshift did not ignite its motor.
Redshift after flight
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