Students set to launch self-built rocket into space

The Hybrid Engine Improvement (HyEnD) pupil workforce on the College of Stuttgart has spent round three years creating, manufacturing, and testing its hybrid rocket. In mid-April, the rocket can be launched into space from the Esrange rocket launch website close to Kiruna in Sweden. If all goes effectively, the scholars will set a brand new world altitude document for student-built rockets.

The hybrid rocket is 7.80 meters lengthy and weighs round 70 kg. It was constructed by roughly 60 college students from the College Group HyEnD of the College of Stuttgart. “It is one of the vital highly effective and superior student-built hybrid rockets on this planet,” says Max Öchsle, HyEnD challenge supervisor. With this, the scholars have large plans: They need to beat their very own altitude document of 32 km for student-built hybrid rockets, which they set in 2016.

The scholars additionally hope to cross the boundary into space at an altitude of 100 km. Along with the world document for hybrid rockets, this additionally makes the world document for student-built rockets generally attainable. The earlier document is 103.6 km and was set by the College of Southern California (USCRPL) workforce in 2019. “The world record is inside our attain. We may certainly beat it,” says Öchsle. Öchsle is effectively conscious that the document is determined by different elements such because the climate.

It’s nonetheless unclear precisely when the document try will happen. The window is scheduled between April 14 and 25. As a result of the schedule may very well be modified at quick discover, HyEnD supplies regular updates on its website. As well as, a livestream of the launch is deliberate on the Youtube channel of the Swedish Space Agency SSC. On website in Sweden are 16 members of the coed group, together with Öchsle, the 25-year-old challenge chief.

“The launch of the rocket can be a particular second for me. Over the previous three years, a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this challenge. The countdown to the launch will definitely be thrilling. However we’re assured that the whole lot will go based on plan. After all, I am most trying ahead to the second when the rocket takes off,” says Öchsle.

With a view to be on the protected facet, the scholars have two similar rockets on website. On one hand in order that they have a back-up in case one thing breaks throughout launch preparations. Alternatively, as a result of the rocket challenge is sort of bold for a gaggle of scholars. For the primary flight of an untested rocket, there are restrictions on the launch angle and thus on the flight altitude. If the primary flight goes effectively, college students hope to fly increased on the second launch.

Hybrid engine delivers 1.5 t of thrust

The N₂ORTH rocket has a hybrid engine that makes use of solid fuel and liquid nitrous oxide. The title N₂ORTH alludes to each nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is used as an oxidizer, and the launch website within the North. With a view to make it as gentle as attainable, it was constructed virtually solely of composite supplies.

“We’re significantly happy with the engine, which we developed ourselves. With its thrust of as much as 1.5 t, it is among the strongest and environment friendly pupil made engines on this planet. One other particular characteristic is the parachute, which should be capable to face up to supersonic speeds. As a result of there aren’t any business parachutes accessible for these necessities, we made it ourselves,” says Öchsle.

Due to the excessive flight speeds, the rocket shell is uncovered to monumental temperatures. The structural components have been subsequently laminated with a high-temperature epoxy system developed in-house. The rocket additionally has a thermal safety layer fabricated from cork. The students manufactured a lot of the elements themselves within the workshops of the College of Stuttgart.