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After competing successfully at rocketry competitions, the vision of a rocket with a self-developed engine rose within the Space Team Aachen. We decided to work towards a supersonic rocket using an in-house designed hybrid engine. With our concept, we got accepted for the DLR STERN Program, which provides us with funding and professional support throughout the project.
In March of 2022, we started a test campaign with a downscaled version of the hybrid engine at our self-developed test bench, located at the Chair of High Pressure Gas Dynamics in Aachen. This was a huge milestone to verify our design and functionality of the engine, as well as the test bench. We gathered valuable information on the performance of our systems for further development.
On the 12th of October, the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was held at the DLR in Lampoldshausen, where the STAHR Team presented their current design of the rocket and its systems to a team of experts from the respective field. The review board evaluates all aspects of the rocket design and analyzes the systems for critical parts. The PDR is important for the progress of the project, since our design, planned manufacturing methods, and concepts are carefully reviewed. It also marks the transition to the next phase of the project: the development phase.
The feedback received from the review board at the PDR is carefully considered for ongoing development.
Throughout the progress of the project, a series of reviews will be following the PDR. Each review takes the team one step closer to the launch and ensures the project’s success.
Next up will be the Critical Design Review (CDR), which marks the transition from the development stage to the verification stage of the project and will be held in July 2023.
In October 2024 STAHR is scheduled to launch from Esrange - the European Space and Sounding Rocket Range in Kiruna, Sweden.
