They compete in rocket launching
The ÆSIR student organisation at KTH builds rockets in their spare time. As the first Swedish team ever, they recently participated in a European rocket launch competition. With their self-designed Signý, they set a new height record of an impressive 3 384 metres.
The KTH students in ÆSIR aim to become rocket scientists. When asked where they would like to work in the future, the answers include ESA, SSC, SpaceX, NASA and FMV.
"We dream of a career in the space industry, engineering or defence. Working in the association provides an excellent head start in the pursuit of this career path. Some members also have rocket building as a hobby, and want to get involved alongside their studies to gain experience, learn and create memories," says Amanda Bergström.
Three rockets launched
She is one of 45 members of ÆSIR and studies computer science. Amanda Bergström says that the students who are members of the association come from a wide variety of educational programmes at KTH. These include engineering physics, aerospace, electrical, computer and mechanical engineering.
ÆSIR is KTH's student association for rocketry. Members design, manufacture and launch rockets of different sizes and types. The association was founded in 2016 and since then three rockets have been launched, with the record height being Signý's recently achieved 3,384 metres. This record just during EuRoC '23 where the moments competed in the Solid COTS 3 km category.
Great feeling
According to Amanda Bergström, the most exciting moments in ÆSIR's eight-year history have been the rocket launches themselves. Many months and sometimes years of hard work designing, manufacturing and preparing a rocket have been rewarded by seeing how the rockets perform in real life.
"It is a cool feeling to see something you have put your soul into perform well, and not least, rocket launches are adrenaline-boosting and cool to experience live. In addition, it is useful and interesting to apply the theory we learn, and to get in touch with companies in the sector through sponsorships and collaborations," says Amanda Bergström.
In the future, will ÆSIR build VTVL rockets (see fact box) like SpaceX's Falcon 9 and its first stage? That is, reusable rockets? Amanda Bergström is in favour, as are the other members of the association.
"We gather useful experience and offer engineering students hands-on experience in designing, building and launching rockets. Building rockets with active control is complicated, now we are designing air brakes on our Freyja rocket. We haven't done that before," says Amanda Bergström.
The best engineers of the future
The space race is back on and the private company Intuitive Machines recently landed on the moon. Association members believe it is important for Sweden to invest in research, technology and innovation in the space sector. "There is still a lot to be discovered and answered about how the universe, the Earth and how humans work.
"We hope to give engineering students the opportunity to gain early practical experience and work independently on the technical challenges of space and rocketry. This helps ensure that students have a good chance of becoming some of the best engineers of the future," says Amanda Bergström.
What does the future look like for ÆSIR?
"Bright. Space technology and the demand for innovative solutions are highly topical. KTH has a history of dedicated and ambitious students with sharp skills in engineering, maths and physics," says Amanda Bergström.
Text: Peter Asplund