Pushing Altitude Boundaries

CIAA Rocketry 2025 - Algerian Interuniversity Competition

Develop a 2-stage rocket reaching 9842ft ±150ft precision. Solid propulsion, autonomous avionics, full recovery systems. Real engineering challenges.

30K
Target Altitude
3000m
Max Apogee
48kg
Launch Mass
5kg
Payload
Space Runner 2 Rocket

Space Runner Mission

Engineering a high-performance 2-stage rocket for Algerian universities

🎯

30K Feet Challenge

Primary Mission: Reach 9842ft (±150ft tolerance) with 5kg rectangular payload. Landing speed <20m/s. Competes in both 10K/30K categories

🏗️

Aerostructure

482cm length, 154mm diameter fiberglass fuselage. Von Karman nose cone (80cm). NACA0004 fins. 6 centering rings. Motor retention system

⚙️

Propulsion

Cesaroni M1890 (9,852Ns) + N3800 (17,566Ns). 2-stage separation at 3,500m. Peak velocity 420m/s, acceleration 93m/s²

🪂

Recovery

3 parachutes: Booster (3,500m), drogue (apogee), main (500m altitude). 1000N opening force. Landing speed 9m/s

🖥️

Avionics

Arduino Mega Mini Pro, MPL3115A2 altimeter, MPU6050 IMU, LoRa SX1278, SIM808 GPS, FreeRTOS, Kalman filter redundancy

📊

Performance

Stability 3.22cal, max speed 420m/s, apogee 3000m, launch cost $1,641 (65% reduction vs 2018)

Competition Timeline

Critical milestones from concept to launch

10 Jan 2025

Competition Launch

Cahier des charges published. 10K/30K categories defined. Technical evaluation criteria released.

15 Jan - 1 Feb

Team Registration

25+ universities register. 10k DA/team fee. Organizational structure validation (ISO-9001 inspired).

10-12 Feb

Kickoff Workshop

OpenRocket training, ANSYS simulations, stability ≥1.5cal requirements, avionics safety protocols.

15 Feb - 31 Mar

Preliminary Design

CAD (SolidWorks), OpenRocket validation, ANSYS structural analysis, Von Karman aerodynamics.

5 Apr 2025

Concept Review

20-30 page report: designs, simulations, budget, schedule. Preliminary design approval.

1 Apr - 15 May

Manufacturing

Fiberglass fuselage, motor casing, avionics bay, parachute integration, static tests.

20 May 2025

Final Review

40-50 page CDR + video presentation + complete technical documentation submission.

25-26 May

Technical Inspection

Motor certification, structural validation, avionics checkout, GPS functionality tests.

1 Jun 2025

Launch Day

30+ rockets launched. Live GPS tracking. Real-time results. Champions declared.

Technical Specifications

Strict requirements from Algerian rocketry competition

📐 Vehicle Dimensions

  • Length: 482cm (max)
  • Diameter: 154mm (max)
  • Launch Mass: ≤48kg
  • Payload: ≤5kg rectangular
  • Stability: 3.22cal (min 1.5cal)

🚀 Propulsion System

  • Cesaroni M1890 Red Lightning (9,852Ns)
  • Cesaroni N3800 Blue Streak (17,566Ns)
  • 2-stage, auto-separation @ 3,500m
  • Peak Thrust: 4,729N
  • Burn Time: 4.67s + 5.28s

🪂 Recovery Systems

  • 3 parachutes: Booster/Main/Drogue
  • Deployment: Apogee + 500m altitude
  • Opening force: 1,000N calculated
  • Terminal velocity: 9m/s
  • Richard Nakka parachute design

🛠️ Materials & Construction

  • Fiberglass fuselage (Von Karman cone)
  • Mild steel motor casing
  • Stainless steel nozzle (3mm thick)
  • Stone wool thermal insulation
  • 6 centering rings w/ fin slots

🖥️ Avionics Suite

  • Arduino Mega Mini Pro ATmega2560
  • MPL3115A2 altimeter (±30cm)
  • MPU6050 6-axis IMU
  • LoRa SX1278 (10km range)
  • SIM808 GPS/GPRS/GSM
  • FreeRTOS + Kalman filtering

📈 Performance Targets

  • Apogee: 3000m (9842ft)
  • Max Velocity: 420m/s
  • Max Acceleration: 93m/s²
  • Launch Cost: $1,641
  • Team Size: 21 students

Our Valued Sponsors

Supporting Algerian aerospace innovation

Radio Communication & Media

Connecting with the Algerian community

BLIDA FM Studio

We're proud to have shared our rocketry journey with the Algerian public through a special interview on BLIDA FM, Algeria's premier regional radio station. This broadcast highlighted our mission to advance aerospace education in Algeria.

BLIDA FM Interview

BLIDA FM Interview

Audio recording from our radio appearance

Team Presentation

Visuals from our technical demonstration

Launch Preparations

Behind-the-scenes at the launch site

Get Involved

Join Algeria's premier university rocketry competition

🚀

IAES Rocketry Team

Institut d'Aéronautique et des Études Spatiales
Université Saad Dahleb Blida 1
Blida, Algeria

Rocketry Blida Team | 21 multidisciplinary students | ISO-9001 organization