This October, one of our projects, RED (Rocket Experiment Division), had the honor of representing Portugal at EuRoC 2025, the European Rocketry Challenge. For us, it was more than a competition. It was the result of a year of design, manufacturing, and testing, driven by the shared dream of seeing our first hybrid rocket, Amália, soar into the skies.
As the Rocket Experiment Division, we live by a simple truth: engineering is built on iteration. Every mission is a step forward, every challenge an opportunity to improve. EuRoC 2025 became one of those defining steps.
In the final days leading up to launch, our team detected a fissure in the oxidizer tank during final preparations. After a detailed assessment, we made the difficult but necessary decision to abort the launch. Safety has always been our top priority, not only for the success of the mission but for the well-being of every team member who makes it possible.
It was a moment of silence, reflection, and maturity. Months of work and dedication condensed into a single decision that tested our values as engineers and as a team. Although Amália did not take flight, she taught us something more profound than any successful launch could have.
At EuRoC, surrounded by teams from all over Europe, we were reminded that rocketry is not about competition but about community. We shared experiences, advice, and stories of late nights, unexpected failures, and small victories. We witnessed the same spark that drives every student rocketeer: curiosity, perseverance, and the will to push beyond what seems possible.
The experience also brought us closer together as a team. The final days at EuRoC were filled with problem-solving, rapid decision-making, and constant collaboration. Our members worked side by side to troubleshoot, test, and support each other. Even in the face of disappointment, the atmosphere in our team was one of pride and unity. We were there not only to launch a rocket but to represent a culture of learning, resilience, and respect for engineering excellence.
Back at our workshop in Técnico, the story of Amália continues. We have already begun analyzing the events, improving our systems, and redesigning components to guarantee that her first flight will be carried out safely and with confidence. We now move forward with a deeper understanding of the challenges of hybrid propulsion and a renewed motivation to face them.
EuRoC 2025 was a turning point. It showed us that success is not measured only by altitude or flight time, but by how much we grow as engineers and as individuals. It reminded us that even when a rocket stays on the ground, the mission can still go above and beyond.
We are proud of what we accomplished, of the teamwork that brought us to this point, and of the passion that continues to fuel our progress. Amália’s name carries the spirit of one of Portugal’s greatest voices, and we intend to honor that legacy by letting her sing among the skies one day.
The best is yet to come.