DURHAM UNIVERSITY SPACEFLIGHT

Uniting students with a love of space.

About Us

We are a rocket launching team from Durham University. Our team works on a range of technical projects, from designing and manufacturing rockets and engines to developing payloads and launching weather balloons. These hands-on experiences help our members develop practical skills for their future careers. Beyond our projects, we’re committed to inspiring and engaging the community through a variety of outreach initiatives.

Durham University Society is a Durham SU student group whose details are: Durham Students’ Union (also known as Durham SU or DSU) is a charity registered in England and Wales (1145400) and a company limited by guarantee (07689815) address is Dunelm House, New Elvet, DURHAM, County Durham, DH1 3AN.

About Us

We are a rocket launching team from Durham University. Our team works on a range of technical projects, from designing and manufacturing rockets and engines to developing payloads and launching weather balloons. These hands-on experiences help our members develop practical skills for their future careers. Beyond our projects, we’re committed to inspiring and engaging the community through a variety of outreach initiatives.

Durham University Society is a Durham SU student group whose details are: Durham Students’ Union (also known as Durham SU or DSU) is a charity registered in England and Wales (1145400) and a company limited by guarantee (07689815) address is Dunelm House, New Elvet, DURHAM, County Durham, DH1 3AN.

Our Projects

Rocketry - We regularly launch rockets in both the UK and the US. Each year, we compete in Mach, where we launch rockets and payloads at Machrihanish Spaceport. We won Mach-23, where we achieved a significant milestone by launching Rosemary 1 supersonically to an altitude of 3 km. In 2024, we took part in the Spaceport America Cup, where we launched Rosemary 1.1 at White Sands Missile Range. This September, we're set to launch Rosemary 2 in the Mojave Desert. Our local launch site is Midland Rocketry Club, where we frequently participate in launch days. We also run an annual training program to teach our members the fundamentals of amateur rocketry.

Propulsion - We work on designing, manufacturing, and testing SRAD rocket engines. In 2024 we created SAGE I, a paraffin, Nitrous Oxide, water-cooled hybrid rocket engine, and our first engine. The engine was intended to be fired at Race2Space 2024 however due to manufacturing issues the firing date has been pushed back. The team is now working on our first liquid bi-propellent engine, and corresponding feed-system.

Weather Balloons - We develop custom trackers and hardware to send scientific payloads to the edge of space on helium latex balloons. With the aid of simulations and telemetry data, we retrieve them after the balloon bursts.

Payloads - We work on a diverse range of payloads, including reaction wheels, terrain mapping, and aerosol capture systems. One notable example is our terrain mapping CanSat, which is designed to create detailed digital surface maps. This project utilizes neural networks trained on satellite data, enabling it to generate accurate maps in real time. The CanSat is equipped with an onboard camera and an Nvidia Jetson, allowing it to process data on-the-fly as it captures the terrain below.

Our Projects

Rocketry We regularly launch rockets in both the UK and the US. Each year, we compete in Mach, where we launch rockets and payloads at Machrihanish Spaceport. We won Mach-23, where we achieved a significant milestone by launching Rosemary 1 supersonically to an altitude of 3 km. In 2024, we took part in the Spaceport America Cup, where we launched Rosemary 1.1 at White Sands Missile Range. This September, we're set to launch Rosemary 2 in the Mojave Desert. Our local launch site is Midland Rocketry Club, where we frequently participate in launch days. We also run an annual training program to teach our members the fundamentals of amateur rocketry.

Propulsion - We work on designing, manufacturing, and testing SRAD rocket engines. In 2024 we created SAGE I, a paraffin, Nitrous Oxide, water-cooled hybrid rocket engine, and our first engine. The engine was intended to be fired at Race2Space 2024 however due to manufacturing issues the firing date has been pushed back. The team is now working on our first liquid bi-propellent engine, and corresponding feed-system.

Weather Balloons - We develop custom trackers and hardware to send scientific payloads to the edge of space on helium latex balloons. With the aid of simulations and telemetry data, we retrieve them after the balloon bursts.

Payloads - We work on a diverse range of payloads, including reaction wheels, terrain mapping, and aerosol capture systems. One notable example is our terrain mapping CanSat, which is designed to create detailed digital surface maps. This project utilizes neural networks trained on satellite data, enabling it to generate accurate maps in real time. The CanSat is equipped with an onboard camera and an Nvidia Jetson, allowing it to process data on-the-fly as it captures the terrain below.

Spaceport America Cup: Rosemary 1.1

Circuit

Apogee

2690m

Max. Velocity

0.8mach

Mass

18kg

In June 2024, DUSF flew to America to compete in the largest student rocketry competition in the world, the Spaceport America Cup. Our first time competing internationally, we were flying a modified version of our Mach-23 winning rocket, Rosemary I. Launching at White Sands in New Mexico, Rosemary 1.1 flew to 2,690 metres carrying our new payload: a flywheel that was used to reduce the rocket's spin throughout flight.

Balloon Launch Space 1 Space 4

Mach-24: Jason-Argo

Circuit

Apogee

1060m

Max. Velocity

0.46mach

Mass

6.5kg

In July 2024, we returned to Machrihanish, Scotland, to compete in Mach-24. Returning as last year's winners we aimed to set the bar high, launching our first high-altitude two-stage rocket, Argo. The rocket carried a cansat, developed by our members, which utilized neural networks to perform digital surface modelling with an onboard camera and real-time processing using an Nvidia Jetson.

Mach-23: Rosemary I

Circuit

Apogee

3027m

Max. Velocity

1.1mach

Mass

13kg

Rosemary I Winner of Mach-23 In June 2023, university teams from the UK gathered in Machrihanish, Scotland for the UKSEDS Mach-23 competition. Teams were evaluated on the technical design of their rocket and CanSat, and on precision in achieving a 3 km launch height. Demonstrating excellence in design and achieving a launch of 3027 m, a mere 1% off the target, Durham University Spaceflight Society (DUSF) secured the first place.

Balloon Launch Space 1 Space 4

In the Community

Beyond our practical projects, we aim to provide a wealth of opportunities for members to interact with the wider community. From talks by academics and industry professionals, and Space Conferences to outreach in local schools to bring the interest in space to future generations, we endeavour to build a community of space enthusiasts.

Community image

Contact Us

Reach out to us through email if you're intersted in getting involved or working with us! Follow our social media for up-to-date information on what we're up to!

seds.society@durham.ac.uk