Inspired by Artemis II: A New Era for Student Rocketry

The successful splashdown of NASA's Artemis II mission on April 13, 2026, has reignited excitement in space exploration across the globe, particularly among Europe's aspiring aerospace engineers. At the University of Cambridge, the Cambridge University Spaceflight (CUSF) society— a student-led group with 100 members—views this milestone as a beacon for their own ambitious endeavor. Co-president Elisabeth Rakozy, who is set to join U.S.-based Relativity Space upon graduation, described the event as heralding "a new era in space exploration." The team's Carina rocket, designed to reach 150 kilometers—well beyond the Kármán line at 100 kilometers that defines the edge of space—positions them to achieve Europe's first amateur student-led suborbital launch.

CUSF's journey reflects the growing role of extracurricular projects in higher education, bridging theoretical coursework with real-world application. These initiatives not only hone technical skills but also cultivate resilience, teamwork, and innovation—qualities highly sought in the competitive aerospace sector.

From Humble Beginnings: The Evolution of CUSF Since 2006

Founded in 2006 by a group of engineering undergraduates, CUSF started with a bold vision: to launch a student-built rocket to space for under £1,000. Early efforts focused on high-altitude balloons under the Nova project, achieving British records like Nova 6's 32.26 kilometers in 2008. These rockoon (rocket-balloon hybrid) experiments paved the way for solid-fuel rockets in the Martlet series.

Martlet 0 marked a milestone in 2009, reaching nearly 3 kilometers and breaking the sound barrier. By 2017, Martlet III hit 3.5 kilometers despite a motor failure, and in 2019, the society test-fired Pulsar—the UK's largest nitrous oxide hybrid rocket engine—powering the Martlet 4 project aimed at 15 kilometers. Today, with liquid bipropellant engines like White Dwarf and the forthcoming White Giant (35 kN thrust for over 40 seconds), CUSF has matured into a sophisticated operation.

• Nova balloons: Up to 36 km altitudes, reusable recoveries.
• Martlet rockets: UK amateur speed and altitude records.
• Aquila subproject: Mojave Desert tests for aerodynamics and avionics.

This progression underscores how persistent student societies contribute to national rocketry heritage while providing unparalleled learning opportunities.

Engineering the Griffin I and Carina: Technical Marvels from Student Hands

The Griffin I rocket stands at 10 meters tall, a testament to student ingenuity. Powered by the White Giant liquid oxygen/isopropyl alcohol (LOX/IPA) engine, it promises to surpass 100 km. Meanwhile, Carina represents the latest iteration, optimized for 150 km with advanced avionics for real-time telemetry and recovery systems.

Students self-teach from obscure sources like 1970s Russian textbooks and research papers, integrating propulsion, structures, guidance, and control—topics rarely covered in depth during degrees. The process involves iterative design: prototyping White Dwarf for bi-propellant testing before scaling to White Giant.

Safety is paramount, with rigorous simulations and ground tests mitigating risks inherent in high-thrust rocketry.

Navigating Challenges: Pandemic Delays to Regulatory Hurdles

The COVID-19 pandemic stalled progress, shifting focus from 20 km goals to the Kármán line. Co-president Ben Sutcliffe recalls the tension of test flights: "seeing your baby being launched... praying that all of your engineering design was done properly." Recent advances in insurance, licensing, and logistics signal readiness for a Scottish launch site, potentially Space Hub Sutherland.

In Europe, amateur rocketry faces stringent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations, limited launch sites, and weather dependencies—contrasting with U.S. deserts like Mojave. Yet, these constraints foster creative problem-solving, vital for future engineers.

The Student Team: Diverse Backgrounds Fueling Aerospace Dreams

CUSF's 100 members span engineering, business, and beyond, meeting Sundays at the Dyson Centre for Engineering Design. Roles include propulsion (Luka Pivovarsky), avionics, and recovery. Iga Ratajczak, a wheelchair user, exemplifies inclusivity in Aquila aerodynamics. Annual turnover demands robust knowledge transfer, turning freshmen into experts.

For Rakozy, the project secured her Relativity Space role, highlighting direct career pipelines. Statistics show space sector skills gaps in Europe, with 7 million STEM jobs by 2025; rocketry alumni excel in employability.

University Support: Cambridge's Role in Fostering Innovation

The Department of Engineering provides facilities, mentorship, and funding alongside commercial sponsors. Beyond lectures, projects like CUSF fill gaps in spacecraft design modules, offering hands-on experience with abstract challenges. President Jamie Russell notes the thrill of real stakes: success or explosive failure.

This model inspires similar initiatives, positioning Cambridge as a hub for practical aerospace education.

Europe's Growing Student Rocketry Scene: CUSF Leads the Pack

While CUSF eyes the Kármán line, peers push boundaries. Durham University Spaceflight set UK records at 12.3 km with Rosemary 3. EuRoC competitors like Aerospace Team Graz reach 9 km hybrids; Sheffield students hit European liquid-fuel records. Societies at Heriot-Watt, Stuttgart, and TU Delft (Stratos I: 12.5 km) foster talent amid rising demand—ESA's Fly a Rocket! aids bachelor teams.

• EuRoC: Annual uni competition, Portugal-based, max ~9 km.
• ÆSIR (Sweden): EuRoC participants.
• Danish Student Association for Rocketry: Hands-on launches.

No European student/amateur has crossed 100 km, affirming CUSF's pioneering claim.

Career Trajectories: From Campus Rockets to Industry Stars

Participation boosts resumes: Rakozy's Relativity hire exemplifies pathways to SpaceX, ArianeGroup, or ESA. Europe's space economy grows 12% yearly, needing skilled graduates; projects yield 20-30% higher employability in aerospace. Alumni enter propulsion, avionics, and startups, addressing the sector's talent shortage.

Future Horizons: Scotland Launch and Beyond

A Scottish debut looms, leveraging sites like Sutherland amid UK spaceport growth. Success could spark a wave of student suborbitals, democratizing access. CUSF eyes iterative improvements post-Carina, perhaps reusability.

For European higher education, these projects exemplify experiential learning, preparing students for a sector projected to create millions of jobs. As Sutcliffe notes, the pursuit embodies engineering's essence: bold innovation against odds.

Implications for Higher Education: Cultivating Tomorrow's Space Pioneers

CUSF illustrates how universities can amplify curricula with societies, drawing sponsors and industry ties. Amid Europe's push for space sovereignty—via Ariane 6 and ESA—such initiatives build talent pipelines, promote STEM diversity, and inspire underrepresented groups. As rocketry evolves, expect more unis emulating Cambridge's model for global competitiveness.

Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash