Aurora Rocketry

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ATLAS

OVERVIEW

Atlas is the result of everything we’ve learnt from previous projects, by addressing past data, limitations and operational challenges. The airframe now features lightweight glass-fiber composite, reducing mass while enhancing structural performance. A newly developed active airbrake system improves apogee accuracy, and both the recovery and the electronics bays have been redesigned for greater modularity, reliability and accessibility. At its core, Atlas is powered by a solid motor and equipped with our in-house developed avionics.

PROPULSION

The propulsion system features a high-performance M-class solid rocket motor. With its short burn time, high thrust output and reliable Imax propellant, it delivers rapid acceleration and predictable performance. Its plugged configuration makes it ideal for rockets using fully independent avionics-based deployment systems.

RECOVERY

The recovery system has undergone a substantial redesign, introducing a refined pressure-chamber based system with improved reliability, cleaner mechanical interfaces, and better separation sequencing compared to Nemesis. The upgraded routing of harnesses and load paths, along with a more predictable deployment envelope, will contribute to a more robust and functional recovery subsystem.

ELECTRONICS

Atlas avionics undergoes a major upgrade with a modular four-board architecture connected through a central backplane: microcontroller (an ESP32-S3), integrated sensing suite, radio telemetry and GPS reception, and the power-management stage. A custom battery pack powers the system, while activation uses high-current MOSFETs for pyrotechnics and air-brake control. Ground support reuses Nemesis’ station to provide real-time telemetry via its high-gain antenna and dedicated receiver.

AERODYNAMICS and STRUCTURE

The airframe design transitions to a hybrid structure: a combination of fiberglass, Kevlar-reinforced sections, and composite-integrated modules to improve structural strength, manufacturability, and mass efficiency while ensuring electromagnetic transparency for antenna transmission. Key upgrades include a redesigned monocoque assembly for easier component replacement and improved integration access, plus a more ergonomic ABS internal layout featuring dedicated removable hatches, internal aluminum skeletons for mounting electronics, and cleaner routing of cables and avionics.

PAYLOAD

Developed in collaboration with IRST (Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori), a well-acclaimed cancer research institute, our biomedical payload investigates the behaviour of tumour cells during launch conditions and under high acceleration loads up to 10 g, providing insights into the way extreme mechanical stress influences cellular structures and biological responses