Aether M

With the experience gained during the development of the Aether S rocket, our team has embarked on developing the next generation of research rockets. Named Aether M, this vehicle will be capable of lifting a 3-unit (3U) CubeSat payload using a hybrid rocket engine developed by our team. Our next development goal is to test our unique onboard electronics and parachute deployment systems during flight on this platform. The universal design of the engine section allows us to integrate a wide range of rocket engines in the future.

Rocket engine development

Following the solid propellant rocket motors used in the Aether S rocket family, our team set out to to developing a more cost-effective and safer alternative. We chose to pursue hybrid propulsion systems, where the fuel is in a solid state, while the oxidizer is injected into the combustion chamber as a liquid or gas. We conducted the first successful hybrid propulsion test during the 2024 season, which is captured in the video below. Since then, the propulsion system has been adapted to the Aether M rocket family platform. Our next objective is to further enhance the propulsion system and deploy a more powerful version of it during upcoming Aether M missions.

Aether S Mk2

BME Aerospace Team is developing the next member of the Aether S rocket family in 2023. The Aether S Mk2 platform is going to be a service-ready launch capacity, that is as responsive and cost-effective as its predecessor, but with a much higher degree of automation.

Aether S launch

The first Hungarian launch of the Aether S took place in January 2023. The launch was a huge success, with enormous professional and media interest. Click on the rocket below for the aftermovie.

EuRoC 2022

BME Aerospace Team, as the first and only Hungarian team represented Hungary and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics at the 2022 European Rocketry Challenge in the 9 000 m solid propellant category.

Aether S

BME Aerospace Team developed a novel supersonic suborbital sounding rocket platform called Aether S in 2022. The rocket is a 3,5-meters-long, solid propellant vehicle with an apogee of 9 000 meters.

Our long-term goal

The long-term goal of the BME Aerospace Team is to introduce rocket sports in Hungary and to pave the way for the next generation of students interested in rocket science.