Second launch of the VEROX high-power rocket by students of TU Dresden

On May 16, 2026, the university student group STAR Dresden e. V. successfully launched the VEROX research rocket for the second time to validate components for the DORADO project. The rocket was developed in collaboration between STAR and the ILR and was supported by TU Dresden as part of the FOSTER program. The rocket was first launched on Ascension Day 2025: VEROX news article
The focus of this year’s launch was testing the “Flightmaster” flight computer, which successfully demonstrated improved software featuring automatic event detection and Kalman filter data fusion. The flight, including the parachute deployments, was a success and took place as part of the Red Jahne Days organized by AG Modellrakete e. V. at the Roitzschjora airfield.

The recorded data now enables the completion of the flight computer and its software. The flight computer is scheduled to be used on the larger DORADO rocket, which is also being developed by STAR Dresden with support from the ILR. The launch of this rocket is currently planned for the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC) 2027 in Portugal.