Graz hosts the 2011 International Space University ISU.
A fix part of the ISU’s program is the construction and launch of newly developed rockets.
6 teams finished their rockets, with support from a NASA engineer, and they were launched from the park at the ORF Steiermark.
The challenge was: the rocket has to reach at least 30m, and maximum height 109 meters. That’s the height of the Herz Jesu church tower, and limits the flight security maximum in Graz. Its payload is an egg, that shall survive flight and landing.
The start of the rocket with 4 engines. Observed by: Professor Koudelka (left), TU Graz, head of the satellite building team in Graz; the NASA engineer (middle) supporting the ISU-satellite builders, and the local fire brigade person from TU Graz (right).
Only 2 of the 4 engines worked, but stil it was a great flight.
the faculty rocket, built by some professors, outside of competition.
Parts of some rockets landed in trees, so not all “eggonauts” could be recovered.
Apart from technical requests there was also a price given for aestetics, it went to “eggcellence”, for its nice design, over all the fins, and also for the fact that it wore the names of numerous ISU-participants and therefore got a price for its social awareness and communication factor.
