Introduction
Bath Rocket Team (BRT) was founded in 2017 and is one of the first student-run rocketry teams in the UK and EU that competes in Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competitions. BRT now has a team of over 150 students from a variety of fields, including aerospace, mechanical, integrated mechanical, electrical engineering, business and management.
Since 2017, BRT has produced 3 high-power rockets, competing in countries across the world, such as Mexico in 2018 for the Spaceport America Cup (SAC). In 2022, the second rocket built by BRT flew at the European Rocketry Competition (EuRoC), having a successful launch. This past year, the team has manufactured an incredible SRAD hybrid motor rocket that we planned to launch at EuRoC.
Future events and goals: the senior team aims to achieve a successful and accurate launch (and recovery) at EuRoC 2025, while complying to all competition requirements and regulations.
The technical vision of this year’s project is to develop a complete system environment which allows for greater development and iteration in the years to come. This includes not only the design of a rocket, but also of testing and manufacturing rigs/facilities, rocket support hardware and bespoke design software.
Competing in the European Rocketry Challenge is important to University of Bath students for several reasons:
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Hands-On Experience: It provides students with practical, real-world experience in aerospace engineering, helping them apply classroom knowledge to real rocket design and launch scenarios.
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Skill Development: The challenge pushes students to develop a diverse set of skills, from engineering design and propulsion systems to problem-solving, teamwork, and project management.
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University Reputation: Success in the European Rocketry Challenge enhances the University of Bath’s reputation in the STEM field, showcasing its commitment to excellence in engineering and its ability to produce high-caliber graduates.
Activity overview
Our rocket’s name that is going to be launched in Portugal this October, is called CONDOR 2. We are working on incorporating unique features with our rocket’s design, which will help us stand out against the strong competition.
The Bath Rocket Team's propulsion system uses our SRAD Yellowjacket hybrid rocket engine, which utilizes paraffin wax fuel and N2O oxidizer. We designed and manufactured a novel graphite aerospike nozzle, validated through CFD analysis and successful testing. Our custom carbon fibre insulation system was tested and optimized to protect the aluminium engine components. The pre and post-combustion chambers were designed in-house to withstand 60 bar pressure, featuring a specialized spoked thrust ring for mounting the aerospike. We developed a swirl injector with 22 drilled holes based on NHNE flow modelling. The fuel grain uses our own wax formulation and casting process. Commercial components include the servo-actuated main control valve, quick-disconnect filling port, and safety pressure relief components (PRV and burst disk). For ignition, we utilize Klima D3-P motors. From the last year, we've added a pressurant tank to maintain constant oxidizer tank pressure throughout the flight.
Our rocket's unique features include:
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Electro-mechanical recovery system.
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Use of aerospike nozzles instead of conical nozzles.
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Designing our own pressure/ oxidising tank.
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Nitrous oxide in the combustion chamber.
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Use of air brakes.
Development process and how the funding helped
Mechanical Fixings and Extrusions helped assemble the rocket’s structural components, such as the oxidizer tank and combustion chamber. High-quality fixings ensured the rocket’s integrity under extreme conditions, such as during launch and high-speed flight.
Pressure Sensor brough were used for hydrostatic testing of the oxidizer tank and combustion chamber. The sensor allowed us to monitor and validate the strength and integrity of these components under high-pressure conditions, ensuring they meet competition requirements and safety standards.
Timeline
In October 2024 - January 2025, the rocket underwent its initial Research and Development (R&D) phase.
From February 2025, the mechanical/aerodynamic simulation and optimization phase commenced, with the project progressing towards a design freeze in May 2025. Alongside design optimization, initial testing for our bespoke electro-mechanical recovery system will be completed, including tests for parachute shock loading and deployment performance.
Completely separate from our EuRoC related developments, we will be assisting with the testing of eco-sustainable biofuels using one of our hybrid motor designs beginning February 2025, thanks to our close partnership with an external engineering firm in Wales.
Post-May, our manufacturing phase begins, with focus on the following:
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Oxidizer tank assembly.
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Aerostructure composite layup for modules such as fin fuselage and nose cone.
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Air brake general assembly.
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Avionics.
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Mechanical and electrical assembly.
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Payload bay general assembly.
Subsystem-specific tests, such as oxidizer tank and combustion chamber hydrostatic testing, will be completed.
In June 2025 (estimated), the concept review and report will be submitted. June will also mark the beginning of our hot fire test stand and manufacture.
The project will then reach a significant milestone in July 2025 (estimated), with the UK Race to Space event marking the first engine test and the submission of the Final Design Review (FDR) and Design Report. Beyond testing at RACE-TO-SPACE, July will also bring about our very first university-ran hot-fire test.
Finally, by October 2025, the rocket system will be fully prepared for travel and competition at EUROC.
Members' stories
"From Classroom to the Launchpad"
"Joining the rocket team was a leap into the unknown. As an aerospace engineering student at the University of Bath, I had the theory but never the chance to put it into practice. Being part of the team opened my eyes to the real-world challenges of rocketry. I helped design our rocket's propulsion system, and the feeling when we launched our first prototype was indescribable. It taught me more than any lecture ever could—about teamwork, problem-solving, and the incredible potential of engineering."
"Turning Ideas into Reality"
"I’ve always been fascinated by space, but I didn’t realize how much goes into getting a rocket off the ground. As a member of a UK competition rocket team, I got to be hands-on with the design and testing processes. One of the best parts was seeing an idea I helped develop go from a drawing on a whiteboard to a real, functioning part of a rocket. The highs and lows—when things didn’t work as planned and when they did—have made me a more resilient and creative engineer. The thrill of being part of the competition, knowing we were pushing the boundaries, was unforgettable."
Other quotes:
"Designing a rocket is like creating a masterpiece—every curve, every material choice, every calculation matters. It's an art as much as it is engineering."
"The moment the rocket launches, I feel like I'm part of something much bigger than myself. It's not just a test—it's a leap into the future."
Challenges and solutions
One of the first major hurdles we faced was integrating different subsystems, such as propulsion, avionics, and recovery systems. Each component had its own set of specifications and requirements, and aligning them to work together smoothly was a significant challenge. We approached this challenge by breaking down the rocket design into smaller, manageable modules. Each team member focused on a specific subsystem, but we made sure to have frequent design reviews where everyone could provide input on the integration. Testing individual components before integrating them also allowed us to identify potential issues early. Collaboration between different departments, from mechanical to electrical engineering, played a crucial role in solving integration problems.
Our ability to collaborate effectively as a team was one of the highlights of the project. Each team member brought a unique skill set to the table, and our shared passion for rocketry kept us motivated even when things got tough. Regular communication and clear roles within the team ensured that everyone was on the same page, which was key to keeping the project on track.
Initially, we underestimated the amount of time each stage of the rocket development would take. The design, build, and testing phases were more time-consuming than we expected, and at times, it felt like we were rushing to meet deadlines. In hindsight, better time management and setting more realistic timelines for each phase would have helped reduce stress during the final stages. We learned to allocate more time for testing and adjustments in future projects.
Conclusion
As the countdown to each competition ticks away, the team’s dedication, creativity, and technical prowess continue to shine, inspiring future generations of engineers, innovators, and dreamers. In the race to the stars, the University of Batth Rocket Team isn’t just aiming for the sky—we are determined to change the way the world looks at student-driven aerospace innovation.
If you would like to get in touch about the project email brt@bath.ac.uk, or you can find us on Instagram at instagram.com/bathrocketteam and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/bath-university-rocket-team.
Bath Rocket Team (BRT) is being sponsored by the RS Student Fund.
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