At the beginning of the 2017/2018 academic year we have launched a rocket project in SimLE.
The project consists of 30 members whose goal is the construction of low-range rockets. As part of the project, we are also intensively developing cooperation with the Polskie Towarzystwo Rakietowe (the Polish Rocket Society) and the company SpaceForest, which provide us with substantive support.
The SimBa project currently has two teams (R3 and R4). Each of them deals with the construction of rockets with different parameters. However, the teams are still working together.
As part of the project, we’ve already created two rockets called: StachurSKY and Nabuchodonozor. The first of them made its debut start in the fall of 2018, rising to a height of 163 meters. As part of the project there were 6 successful launches, including the one in the Błędowska Desert during the Meteora Festival. Both rockets are equipped with an active flight control system developed by students and elements made in 3D printing technology.
In the 2019/2020 academic year, another rocket is being built as part of the R3 team – ZAZU, with parameters similar to its predecessors.
The new challenge undertaken by the members of the R4 team is the design of the rocket that will take part in the Spaceport America Cup competition. The solution we proposed gained appreciation of the organizers and we were able to qualify to participate in this prestigious competition.
The Spaceport America Cup is the largest international rocket engineering competition. 150 teams from 18 countries are taking part in the current edition. Part of the event is an open conference at which presentations will be made by teams and industry sponsors of the Spaceport America Cup. Last year, the competition gathered over 1,500 students from 6 different continents. The goal of the competition is to design, construct, launch and safely land the rocket. The categories were divided according to the construction and type of engine as well as two different altitude ceilings.
The SimBa project starts in the category of self-made liquid/hybrid engines and a ceiling of 3048 meters. The first test launches are planned for the beginning of April 2020. Departure to the competition in New Mexico, USA is planned around 14 – 21 June 2020.
Due to the epidemiological situation, the competition will take place in June 2021. http://www.spaceagenda.com/