STAHR Rocket Soars to 21 km: A Triumph of Perseverance
On October 24, after more than three years of relentless effort, STAHR, our hybrid rocket, finally roared to life and soared to an incredible apogee of 21 km at Esrange Space Center, Sweden. This launch marked a milestone in student-led aerospace projects, showcasing not only our technical capabilities but also our resilience in the face of setbacks.
The road to lift-off was anything but smooth. The two-week launch campaign, originally planned for a more relaxed timeline, was met with unexpected challenges that pushed our team to the limit. As setbacks accumulated, the window for launch steadily shrank, forcing us to adapt and problem-solve under intense pressure. In the end, we succesfully launched at the last possible moment while accepting reduced engine performance.
One of the most critical challenges came in the form of a malfunction in the avionics system. After a review with the DLR team, that was present and provided immense support throughout the entire launch campaign, safety concerns led to the difficult decision to remove the recovery system entirely. This meant sacrificing a controlled descent and three years of work from an entire sub-team, making the launch day somewhat bittersweet for the team.
Despite these hurdles, STAHR performed well, validating months of hard work, research, and dedication. The data collected from the flight will provide valuable insights for future missions, ensuring that each challenge we faced translates into knowledge for the next generation.
Thank you again to everyone who made this lauch possible back home in Aachen, the launch campaign team and especially to the DLR and SSC teams in Sweden!
STAHR’s journey from concept to launch was one of persistence, teamwork, and ingenuity. While the challenges were great, the triumph of seeing our rocket pierce the sky made every moment worth it. Here’s to pushing boundaries, learning from experience, and aiming even higher next time!
Have a look at our YouTube channel where you can find a recording of our live stream and the start!
