Delft Aerospace Rocket Engineering

🌱 Monolith is propelling us towards a greener future! 🚀

Project Monolith is an initiative to promote sustainable technologies in rocketry. We're thrilled to announce the development of a zero-emission rocket engine that will revolutionize the industry. Our team is using HTP (Hydrogen Peroxide) and a nickel catalyst, eliminating the need for traditional igniters. What's the secret? This innovative combination produces water and oxygen as by-products, making it an eco-friendly propulsion solution! 💧

Building upon our recent success, Monolith Mk.1 engine completed its first successful hot-fire last August, marking a significant milestone for the future of green rocketry within DARE. 🌿

We greatly thank our research partner, SolvGE, for providing essential propellant supplies. Their technology includes a portable peroxide concentrator, ensuring safe storage, transportation, and on-site testing. With SolvGE's patented low-temperature process, we can concentrate hydrogen peroxide more safely, offering increased flexibility for our operations. 🤝

Our gratitude also extends to the Delft University of Technology Industrial Catalyst Lab for their invaluable assistance in selecting and producing catalysts for our project. 🤝

Looking ahead, the Monolith team is dedicated to enhancing the engine's performance, aiming to launch it on a rocket in May 2024. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of sustainable space exploration! 🌍

Stratos V Has Safety First! 🚀 🧯

Testing plays a vital role in developing the Stratos V rocket, ensuring the improvement of all its systems. However, it is of utmost importance that these tests are conducted safely. At DARE, safety is crucial and taken seriously. This is why over the past 22 years, DARE has successfully carried out numerous projects among our team members without significant accidents. 🥽

Project Sparrow introduced new challenges with our cryogenic bipropellant engine as we worked with various new liquids and gases. With Stratos V, these challenges persist. Mishandling these substances can result in significant hazards. Stratos V will be tested and propelled, amongst other things, with Liquid Oxygen (LOX), Liquid Nitrogen (LN2). LOX and LN2 are stored at cryogenic temperatures close to -200°C. These low temperatures can render objects very brittle and pose a significant risk of severe injuries if handled carelessly. Moreover, if proper measures are not taken, LOX can react violently with many materials, even with metals.❄️💥

🤝 We are excited to announce extending our partnership with Nippon Gases Belgium and Nippon Gases Netherlands. Nippon Gases supplies us with the majority of our propellants, including liquid oxygen (LOx), liquid nitrogen (LN2), nitrogen gas (N2), and carbon dioxide (CO2), and this year, we have also added helium to our inventory. These propellants and gases are essential components for the successful operation of our rocket. 🔧

Recognising the criticality of safety, we engage in annual training sessions conducted by Nippon Gases. These sessions ensure that our team members are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle these substances safely and efficiently. 📖 🦺

🚀 With our commitment to safety and our partner, Nippon Gases' support, we strive to push the boundaries of rocket technology while maintaining the highest safety standards. Our dedication to safety ensures our team's well-being and contributes to Stratos V's success.

Join Delft Aerospace Rocket Engineering (DARE)! 🚀

Interested in gaining hands-on experience in a team with advanced technologies? Waiting to fuel your passion for rocketry? Or just looking for an amazing experience in a team? Look no further, because multiple DARE teams are recruiting part-time members*! 🎉

📩 Apply by visiting dare.tudelft.nl/about/joinus and submit your application before 23:59 on Friday, 2 June 2023!

🤔 If you still have any questions, feel free to send us a DM or email [email protected]!

Let's reach for the stars together! ✨



*interested in becoming a full-time member? Send us a DM or email [email protected] and ask us about the possibilities!

Tomorrow marks the start of our first Launchday of the year! The event will take place over two days on Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st of March. On the eve of the event, we'd like to highlight all of the rockets we will launch as well as all the motors we will test.

CanSat: The main activity for this Launchday is the two CSLv7 launches for the Dutch CanSat competition. DARE is the launch provider for the high school competition in collaboration with NEMO Science Museum, Netherlands Space Office and ESERO Netherlands. We will launch the 10 best CanSats from the competition to an altitude of 1km!

PIP III: This rocket was designed as a test platform for parachutes at high dynamic pressures. Using a 3D printed clamp band separation system and a pyrotechnic mortar system to deploy the test chute, this rocket will test a ringsail parachute using an active reefing system.

DSX-12: One of the two rocket motors in test this launchday, the DSX-12 'Sustainer Reborn' motor is based on a historic motor within DARE, the Stratos Sustainer, which powered the second stage of Stratos I.

IRM: The other rocket motor in test this launchday, we will be performing two static tests of the 'Intermediate Rocket Motor' (IRM) made by the Solid propulsion team. As it is one of the newer engines in DARE, data from these static fires will be used to validate this engine for use as one of the standard rocket engines for DARE projects.

WALRUS: Project WALRUS is a personal project that aims to validate the Disk-Gap-Band (DGB) type parachute in DARE. The rocket will fly two DGBs, a small drogue parachute and a large main parachute. WALRUS also has a camera which footage will be used to compare the performance of the DGB against wind tunnel testing.

Finkers-2: This rocket by our friends at Space Society Twente attempted to launch with DARE last September but unfortunately experienced a hangfire. This modular rocket aims to test all its systems in preparation for integration with airbrakes for active apogee control.

If you want to see all of our launches and static fires unfold, make sure to keep an eye on our stories over on Instagram where we will be posting updates throughout the next two days!