With VEROX into the troposphere of learning experiences - a review of a special rocket project

Report by August Horn (Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering)

The development and successful launch of the VEROX high-power rocket in 2024 and 2025 mark a personal and technical milestone for me. In cooperation with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Modellraketen Deutschland e.V. (AGM e.V.) and my student space group STAR Dresden e.V., I was able to lead a project that not only placed the highest demands on precision and technology, but also challenged and expanded my skills in project management and craftsmanship.

VEROX: The rocket for verification:

The idea behind VEROX (Verification Rocket Experiment) was clear: central components of the SR-Dorado high-altitude research project, in particular the specially developed flight computer and parachute system, were to be tested and validated under real flight conditions. To this end, a high-power rocket was designed, built and finally launched at the traditional AGM e.V. RJD flight day on Ascension Day.

A successful flight:

The flight went better than expected: With a flight altitude of 1300 meters, VEROX exceeded the original forecasts and provided ideal conditions for verifying the systems it carried. I am particularly proud of the recordings from the onboard cameras, which made it possible to record the entire flight. These and other recordings and impressions can also be viewed in the following drive folder.

Teamwork, technology and a lot of manual work:

The implementation of the project would not have been possible without the financial and organizational support of the TU Dresden's FOSTER program. Thanks to this funding, the necessary materials could be procured and processed by hand with a great deal of commitment, technical skill and numerous learning units. The handling of fiber composites, precise winding, milling and gluing - all this was just as much a part of everyday life as the careful flight preparation and safety planning in cooperation with AGM e.V..

What remains: Insights, motivation and a push forward:

© August Horn

I am not only taking away technical experience from this project, but also personal insights: How to coordinate a complex project over a period of months, overcome setbacks and be proud of the result at the end, even if that means investing an extra day or two in painting. VEROX was more than just a rocket for me. It was a challenge and a source of inspiration for future projects in the field of rocket technology.

With the tailwind of this success, I am looking forward to incorporating the experience from VEROX into new challenges and also into the SR Dorado project of my student space club.