USYD students test launches Bluewren rocket

Students of the University of Sydney’s rocketry society, the USYD Rocketry Team, are aiming for gold after successfully launching the Bluewren rocket (pictured) destined for international competition this year.

Last week, the student team’s rocket, Bluewren, soared to a target height of 30,000 feet – roughly nine kilometres – over the Menindee Lakes in far western New South Wales.

The rocket successfully deployed both of its parachutes, safely landing three kilometres from the launch site intact.

Team executive director, Bachelor of Engineering and Science student Alison Lockley said: “We’re absolutely thrilled by the success of this weekend’s launch – it couldn’t have gone better.

“We feel confident in Bluewren’s design and engineering as we head to the US in June.”

The team will fly to the US in June to compete at Spaceport America Cup, an international student rocketry competition held annually in New Mexico.

2022 will also be the first year the team will compete at Spaceport America Cup since the pandemic.

In 2019, the USYD Rocketry Team was the first Australian team to compete in the competition, with their rocket Silvereye taking out first place in the 10,000ft category.

In 2021 Spaceport America Cup held a virtual competition, with the Sydney team winning silver and bronze for their rocket, Firetail, and payload, Tetratheca.

Project director Alistair de Vroet, who is also studying a Bachelor of Engineering and Science said: “Watching Bluewren fly and land safely was testament to the hundreds of hours that each member has contributed to this project.”

Picture: USYD/Bluewren launch

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