Engineering students aim for Portugal after successful rocket engine test
After a successful test of an engine, the Als Rocketry Club aims to participate in a significant international rocket competition in the fall. Still, the association of engineering students needs more funds and is looking for sponsors.
The ARC, which stands for Als Rocketry Club and is an association of engineering students at SDU in Sønderborg, has reached a milestone. Just before Christmas, they completed a successful test of a rocket engine.
'The students have built a so-called solid fuel rocket engine, where glucose is mixed with other ingredients, which has proven to be extremely functional,' says researcher Arkadiusz Goszczak, who in his spare time is a mentor for the young rocket enthusiasts.
The successful test at the Defence Exercise Areas and Shooting Ranges in Søgård was a turning point for the ARC, as the student association is now realistically ready to launch a test rocket into the air.
'We have developed a test rocket. It is more than one meter long, and the goal is for it to be sent 250 meters up in the air so we can test if everything works, that is, everything from electronic components like cameras and measuring equipment to the parachute, which should gently bring it back to the ground again. This rocket, because of its fuel mix, has been name by the team “Suga Babey”' says Arkadiusz Goszczak.
Reaching for the stars
Als Rocketry Club is in dialogue with Odense Airport about launching the test model into the air in Funen during the spring. The test flight should pave the way for the final large-scale rocket to participate in the European Rocket Competition - EuRoC in Portugal in October.
'The students themselves have made the design and all calculations and simulations, as well as building the prototype with help from the staff in the workshop at SDU Sønderborg, but for the final rocket, some components will need to be outsourced for manufacturing. The tolerance threshold for the components must be exact when we talk about rocket research because if the slightest thing goes wrong, you suddenly have a big explosion or a stray missile,' says Arkadiusz Goszczak.
The student association has received support from the Danfoss Education Fund and the Siemens Foundation but needs further financial support if the students are to go to Portugal to compete against other rocket enthusiasts.
'I am proud of the group of students. There have been many ups and downs, but now they stand where they are realistically ready to compete in EuRoC in Portugal. They are skilled and talented, extremely motivated, very diligent, and the environment at SDU is perfect for them to unleash their potentials, so right now the only thing they are missing is money,' laughs Arkadiusz Goszczak.
Even though Arkadiusz Goszczak and the students are willing to pay for the trip to Portugal out of their pocket, it also costs a lot of money to transport the rocket, special tools, and launch pad to Southern Europe safely.
'We are therefore looking for sponsors. There is space for advertisements on the rocket, and I can promise that the advertising space is cheaper than on a Formula 1 racer,' laughs Arkadiusz Goszczak.
You can read more about Als Rocketry Club on the association's website. If you wish to sponsor the team, don't hesitate to contact Arkadiusz Goszczak at goszczak@mci.sdu.dk.