“The relief everyone at the launch site felt when project Garawaηa launched successfully was really something else. That was a special moment.”
Tommi Haipola, Dynamics and Control Team Lead
ANU Rocketry is a student-led team at The Australian National University (ANU) working to advance Aerospace Engineering.
The team brings students from across the different Colleges, and fundamentally believes that anyone in ANU can grow their technical knowledge to reach new heights. Having begun in 2018, the team has over 106 active members encompassing 11 sub teams, all utilising different aspects of university knowledge from marketing, law and of course, engineering.
With a goal to launch an individually developed rocket into space by 2028, the team is focused on developing the technologies and methods to achieve this feat. One launch at a time, we are working on the propellant system, external structure and systems to maintain the rockets alignment during launch and allow for a successful recovery.
Our vision is to expose members to different facets of the engineering and aerospace industry, allowing students to apply their learning and talents outside of the classroom. We aim to deliver a fun and fulfilling experience year-on-year, launching rockets to newer heights.
What have we been up to?
In the first half of the year, our team gained valuable experience participating in high-powered rocketry events in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, where a number of our members obtained their certifications. These opportunities allowed us to test and develop our vehicles, strengthening both our technical and teamwork skills.
Our technical sub-teams have been working hard, presenting their research proposals and preparing their projects. Our focus on Research and Development has reached a critical phase as we align our priorities with our long-term vision of becoming the first student team in Australia to develop and launch liquid-fuel and space rockets. We are rapidly approaching the hot fire test of our liquid engine test stand, a key milestone that will drive the advancement of new technologies essential for our high-altitude liquid-fuel vehicle, and eventually, our space rocket.
Launching Garawaηa: ‘to dream’
The launch of Garawaηa took place at the Ardlethan High-Powered Rocketry event in the heart of the NSW Riverina, hosted by the Canberra Rocketry Group. Garawaηa is a rocket around 3m long and is set to reach an altitude of 30,000ft; approximately the cruising altitude of commercial airplanes. This event was momentous for the team, falling just after the exam season. With expectations soaring high and deadlines tight, multiple deployments were needed to test our CO2 system.
The first day of the launch event was dedicated to launching MnM, a test vehicle designed to validate the avionics systems and components that would be used in Garawaηa. Initially, we encountered an issue arming the vehicle on the launch rail, forcing us to bring it back for troubleshooting. Eventually fixing the problem, we prepared for launch. The launch went smoothly until recovery, when one of the parachutes detached. Fortunately, MnM only suffered minor damage after hitting a tree. But all was not lost. The launch was still a success since it provided the necessary data needed to verify the avionics systems to refine Garawaηa’s systems and ensure a successful flight the next day.
On the second fog-filled morning, the team spent time making final adjustments and ensuring all subsystems were ready for deployment. A challenge arose when we needed a replacement part for the avionics system controlling the CO2 deployment. The team banded together and found a solution, ready to proceed with the launch. Garawana’s flight was flawless, soaring straight up and landing safely.
”None of this would have been possible without the countless late nights the whole team pulled to bring project Garawaηa to fruition. It really reflects on the dedication of the whole team.”
Aerostructures team member
It takes a village to launch a rocket
The success of Project Garawaηa was made possible by the relentless dedication of our sub-teams, who worked together to overcome various challenges to ultimately deliver a high-performing rocket.
The Aerostructures team played a pivotal role in manufacturing the vehicle, ensuring it was optimised for flight.
Meanwhile, the Dynamics and Control team made a significant contribution through their Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
The Project team, greatly enhanced our data collection and analysis capabilities during Garawaηa’s flight, providing valuable insights into its performance.
The Payload team faced an intense few days during the launch, but managed to successfully gather data from the temperature, pressure, and GPS modules. This information offered valuable information on the status of the vehicle during its flight.
In the crucial moments leading up to launch, the Avionics team encountered a major obstacle when they discovered a key component of the CO2 deployment system was missing, just 30 minutes before launch. However, they persevered and improvised, allowing Garawaηa to successfully complete two deployments during the flight — marking a significant victory for the entire team.
The Recovery team also played an essential role in ensuring the smooth execution of Project Garawaηa, meticulously documenting every step of the process to benefit future rocket teams.
The hard work paid off when the rocket was successfully recovered, making this a true team effort that we can all be proud of.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, ANU Rocketry have a clear direction for the future. Our sub-teams are focused on developing key technologies, including high-strength modular airframe designs, high-altitude avionics and recovery systems, and advanced long-range telemetry — all essential to achieving our long-term vision of reaching space.
As we continue onwards and upwards, our team remains eager to learn, innovate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We look forward to more successful launches and groundbreaking projects in the future.