EuRoC Hybrid Rocket

Meet Astrid

Astrid is a competitive hybrid rocket built by students for the European Rocketry Challenge 2026. With this project, we want to secure a top place under the rankings for the 3 km category. Besides the development of a powerful rocket engine, we aim to construct a new type of recovery system with an airbag and parachute. We are also developing an air brake system that can reduce the speed of the rocket to precisely reach the 3 km altitude while carrying a payload of 3 kg.

AVERAGE THRUST

3 kN

BURN TIME

6 s

apogee

3 000 m

height

4 500 mm

diameter

182 mm

structure Mass

30 kg

dry mass

42 kg

wet mass (targeted)

52 kg

propellants

Nitrous oxide, paraffin

payload capacity

min. 1 kg

Our approach

With Astrid, we want to learn from past projects like STAHR and build upon their strengths. Being a student led project, we hope to inspire the next generation of engineers. We give students a chance to work hands-on on team projects to develop their theoretical knowledge as well as their soft skills.

Propulsion System

Hybrid rocket engine

Our self-developed rocket engine “TOOTHLESS” uses paraffin and nitrous oxide, just like its predecessor INES. This combination maximizes the safety of our team members while still delivering the high thrust required for a rocket launch.
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+ 3 kN nominal thrust
+ CFRP casing, shower head injector, and pressurized oxidizer tank
+ electrically actuated valve system
+ in-house developed fuel blend

Avionics and Ground Station

Mission control

Our electronics and software are for the most part designed by our student team to conform to EuRoC’s rules and support the other subteams. We test and continually strive to improve our systems reliability to achieve a high standard of quality and performance.

+ designing PCBs
+ real time data collection and state estimation
+ multiple flight computers communicating with each other
+ communication with our ground station
+ monitoring and managing all systems on the rocket

Simulations

Testing the framework conditions

Our simulations team helps us in developing our rocket by simulating its flight. Simulations also helps with determining the flight stages our rocket passes through. These stages are takeoff, flight, apogee arrival, parachute ejection, and landing.

+ flight simulations
+ determine base specifications for our rocket

Structures

Achieving stable flight

Our rocket body is designed to endure the immense forces that our rocket will experience. At the same time, it also needs to be spacious enough to house our electronics, engine, payload and recovery system. We also aim to improve our aerodynamics with the integration of an air brake system.
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+ mapping rocket's layout
+ designing nose cone, rocket body, fins and air brakes
+ material stress tests
+ simulating force distribution
+ payload capacity of around 3 kg

Recovery

Achieving a reusable rocket

With our recovery system, we aim to achieve a new, innovative recovery system. We want to realize a safe landing through a parachute that slows down our rocket’s descent and with an airbag that absorbs shock from ground impact.

+ in-house designed parachute and airbag
+ force and impact calculations for recovery layout

November 2024

Project Kick-Off

After last competing in EuRoC 2020 with STA’s Carl rocket, we wanted to return to Europe’s biggest student rocket competition.

April 2025

Preliminary Design Review (PDR)

November 2025

Critical Design Review

January 2026

Qualification Review

April 2026

Test Launch

September 2026

Launch Readiness Review

October 2026

EuRoC 2026

Our Team

We are embarking on an ambitious project that has the potential to make a contribution to the space industry. We welcome driven and talented individuals to join our team and help us achieve our goal of shaping the future of space exploration.

You share the same mission and are interested in working with us? Check out the job listings!

Open Positions

Partners and support

We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors and institutions, without which it would not be possible to achieve our ambitious goals.
Would you also like to support the development of one of the most advanced student-built rockets? Please contact us below!

Astrid