Our students successfully launched a reusable rocket prototype

The course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the systems that power rockets, missiles, and spacecraft, effectively bridging fundamental propulsion physics with advanced, real-world applications. Students explore a broad range of propulsion technologies, including solid rocket motors, chemical rocket engines, hybrid propulsion systems, ramjets, scramjets, and advanced chemical and electric orbital thrusters.

In February 2026, students successfully launched a newly designed rocket prototype, confirming the maturity and effectiveness of the academy's hands-on aerospace education approach.

The rocket measures approximately 500 mm in length with a maximum internal diameter of 46.4 mm and was conceived as a robust, reusable flight-test platform. The airframe is manufactured from polypropylene (PP) for durability and low cost, combined with carbon-fiber stabilizing fins and 3D-printed PLA motor and fin mounts, achieving a strong balance between performance, simplicity, and manufacturability.

The propulsion system supports multiple motor configurations through interchangeable mounts and a reusable motor casing rated at approximately 118 Ns total impulse. This architecture enables flight profiles up to ~1 km altitude, while also allowing safe lower-altitude flights using reduced-thrust motors. The flight successfully confirmed the rocket’s key capabilities; however, due to electronic anomalies, the exact altitude achieved is still under investigation and is estimated at approximately 900 m.

Avionics are installed on a dedicated platform inside the nose cone and include a flight controller, GPS, digital FPV video system, and a redundant standalone flight data recorder, powered by a 550 mAh, 7.6 V LiHV battery. Recovery is ensured via a centrally mounted parachute, mechanically integrated through a carbon-fiber load path running along the rocket’s core.

The launch demonstrated a stable liftoff, autonomous failsafe activation during ascent, and successful parachute deployment, validating propulsion performance, system integration, avionics architecture, and recovery design.

This project clearly reflects the academy's learn → iterate → fly again philosophy, delivering authentic flight experience and preparing students to contribute immediately to the aerospace and rocket propulsion industry, while strengthening Estonia’s growing presence in advanced aerospace engineering.

Watch the RP2 rocket test flight in more detail in the video: