LAMARR

We designed our rocket for stability and weight optimization. The GFRP nose cone is aerodynamically shaped, while the main body is made from CFRP to keep the weight as low as possible. We refined the design using intricate simulations to minimize drag.

To ensure a safe descent and landing, Hedy features a two-stage parachute system. After reaching its peak altitude, a drogue chute deploys to slow the descent. Later, the main parachute opens to allow for a smooth landing. We extensively tested the system and it operates without pyrotechnics, improving reliability.

All electronics, from flight control and data logging to telemetry transmission, we developed in-house. A custom-built ground station receives real-time data throughout the flight, including positional tracking and critical sensor readings from the propulsion system.

To ensure safe and controlled testing, we have developed a specialized ground support system. This infrastructure allows for remote fueling, monitoring, and operation of the rocket. Our next major milestone is a static fire test, where we ignite the engine of the flight ready rocket, without letting it lift off from the ground.

Lamarr is a liquid-propellant rocket project developed entirely by students in Austria. We are known for building the most light-weight bi-liquid rockets among student rocketry teams in Europe. The project bridges engineering, physics and computer science offering students a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real-world rocketry, from concept development to full-scale testing.

After three years of development, we were able to conduct our launch at the European Rocketry Challenge in Portugal on October 12, 2025. We had a nominal liftoff and our rocket reached an altitude of 5,336 meters. The drogue parachute deployed as planned, but the main parachute could not fully deploy due to a tangling issue. Recovery proceeded without major problems, and we were able to bring the rocket back in a short time.
We are very satisfied with the outcome. Our rocket is the second-highest liquid-fueled rocket ever launched at EuRoC.
We are already planning our next rocket project, where we aim to pursue even more ambitious goals. The coming months will be exciting – we look forward to reaching the next milestones together.

After our flight in Portugal, we had the opportunity to collaborate with the developers of RocketPy, the open-source trajectory simulation and flight analysis library that we used to model our rocket’s flight. Following the mission, we shared our complete flight simulation with the RocketPy team, who kindly agreed to feature it on their website as an official example for the community.

Our example demonstrates how RocketPy can be used to simulate a real bi-liquid rocket flight and includes a comparison between the simulated trajectory and the actual flight data recorded during our launch. By making our project publicly available, we hope to provide a useful reference for students, researchers, and rocketry enthusiasts who are using RocketPy for their own projects.

You can explore our complete flight simulation, along with the comparison to the measured flight data, here.

Albatross