Parabolic Flight with D.I.N.O.labs x²

We started the year off with preparing two payload iterations of D.I.N.O.labs in parallel. The first of which was D.I.N.O.labs x² that launched on a parabolic flight with the Asclepios V mission from Valbrembo Airport (Italy) in June. This version reused many components that were already flown in D.I.N.O.labs V2 during EuRoC 2024, while adding improved light sensors. After some delays due to the weather, the final flight window gave us beautifully sunny conditions for our mission. The parabolic flight was conducted on a Cessna together with the Asclepios V analog astronauts and gave us many valuable insights for future parabolic flight campaigns.

Launch with WESP at IREC: D.I.N.O.labs ∇

Only two weeks after the parabolic flight campaign, we handed over the next iteration D.I.N.O.labs ∇ (Nabla) to the launch crew of project WESP to launch at IREC 2025 in the US. D.I.N.O.labs ∇ was designed in a 2U form factor as a tech-demonstrator for the new light sensors that were also flown on the parabolic flight and therefore featured no algae. Instead, we included fluorescent powder suspended in water as an artificial light source to get some insight into how the movement of particles/algae inside the payload affect our measurements during launch.  While the payload is generally designed to provide data redundancy in case of any damages during launch and recovery, the payload did not survive the rocket’s unfortunate disintegration during launch. While many parts of the payload could be recovered in the desert, the data storage units were not recoverable.

Launch with Nixus at EuRoC

In October, we launched our latest and for now final version of the experiment, D.I.N.O.labs V3 in Portugal during EuRoC 2025.

D.I.N.O.labs was integrated into the nose cone for the first time, allowing for a more stress-free payload integration, as we exchanged our algae for each launch day. On the last day of the competition the payload was successfully launched and recovered on board the Nixus EX-4C rocket by WARR rocketry. The payload housed a total of 6 algae samples, while keeping the 2U formfactor of version ∇. This makes it the best sample to space needed ratio we had so far. A great additional feature is the small LCD display on the front of the payload, which allows to monitor all important housekeeping data like temperature, battery status etc. Not only that, but you can also play the google dinosaur game. The data analysis of this flight is still ongoing. However, we are very excited by our measurements and this exciting conclusion of project D.I.N.O.labs. While we are wrapping up some final tests and data analysis, we are already thinking about or next projects.

In November we started brainstorming new experiment ideas for our next mission that will be designed to go back to orbit!

With this exciting news, WARR Space Labs wishes a great start into the year of 2026. We are looking forward to seeing what it holds for us.

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Project CRATER

The team at project Crater participated at the “Rover Treff” in April, a friendly robotics competition in Switzerland where student teams from different countries can exhibit their current work and exchange ideas on how to improve. During the event, our martian rover endearingly named “Maree” successfully drove through and obstacle course simulating conditions a rover would encounter on the irregular Martian surface, securing the team the 4th place in the competition and a Makita toolit as reward.

During August, and with the lessons learned from the Rover Treff, the team participated in the European Rover Challenge 2025 and secured an honorable mention despite some technical issues with the rover – again showing the spirit characteristic of Space Robotics: where obstacles arise, we work out a solution and keep going forward.

Project GRAKSLER

Another highlight of this year came from the team at project GRAKSLER, the Space Elevator project. We participated in the Japan Space Elevator Challenge 2025 (JSPEC 2025), a friendly competition against other space elevator teams from around the world where we could put the current iteration of the elevator, “GRAKSLER 4.3” to the test. Here is where the talent for engineering from the team shined its brightest: the new and improved clamping mechanism for the climber cable reduced the mounting time from the previous 10 minutes to just under 1 minute.

Furthermore, the improved electronics system allowed us to gather sensor data in real time, to better control the climber during ascent and descent. Finally, the improved ground communication software gave the climber an even greater advantage over last year’s iteration, which allowed the team to drive the 100 m cable length with great success.

Furthermore, the lending agreement about the climbers “last.minute” and “one.third” with the Deutsches Museum was extended for another five years. Both climbers are exhibited in the Deutsches Museum Nürnberg.

At Space Robotics, we’re eager to see what the next year will bring along – new challenges, new goals, and most importantly new opportunities for growth. With this, our team wishes everyone a happy and successful new year.

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Project Nixus

Project Nixus experienced both major technical milestones and a successful competition launch year. Early in the year, the team completed the redesign of its additively manufactured injector head, combining previously separate components into a single lightweight, high-performance part. Cold-flow and hot-fire tests at TUM’s facilities validated both performance and structural integrity, while also serving as a valuable training opportunity for new members.

Throughout the summer, the EX-4C rocket entered full system integration. Avionics health checks, subsystem interface verification, and extensive ground infrastructure testing, including fueling stations and our self-built launch rail, ensured readiness for competition.

In October, Nixus competed at the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC) 2025. After passing the Flight Readiness Review without issues, the team faced tight schedules, challenging wind conditions, and a valve failure in the fueling system. Through persistence and careful operational decisions, EX-4C successfully lifted off on the final launch day. Although a pressurization issue limited thrust and resulted in a reduced apogee of 1.48 km, the flight remained fully controlled, and the recovery system performed nominally.

With only 13 of 28 teams achieving lift-off at EuRoC 2025, the successful launch stands as a significant accomplishment and a testament to the robustness of the system and the team’s dedication. After EuRoC, the team immediately started with testing of the newly developed electric pumps, and finished several successful test campaigns until mid-December, putting itself in a good starting position for the expected launch of the pump-fed vehicle in 2026

Project WESP (WARR Experimental Solid Platform)

2025 was a defining year for Project WESP. It began with the launch campaign of EX-1Evo at IREC 2025, where the team demonstrated a novel and highly optimized fin section design. Despite challenging circumstances, including a storm-damaged launch site and last-minute schedule changes, the team successfully adapted and ultimately launched as the first rocket of the competition.

The booster stage performed entirely nominally, staging occurred as planned, and the sustainer accelerated nominally, reaching Mach 2.5, making EX-1Evo the fastest rocket in WARR’s history. Shortly before sustainer burnout, the vehicle experienced a failure most likely caused by a sudden increase in angle of attack, leading to vehicle disintegration. While the loss of the sustainer was disappointing, the campaign was an extraordinary technical success: MaxQ was passed without structural failure, critical design limits were explored, and extensive recovery operations yielded valuable data and insights. Following IREC, the team transitioned into its third season with a clear objective: a mission exceeding 100 km altitude, and thereby becoming the first European student rocketry team reaching space. This step represents a fundamental shift, requiring in-house solid rocket motor development and a complete redesign of avionics, structures, recovery systems, and mission architecture. Throughout autumn, WESP completed its System Concept Review, initiated first component designs, and prepared for the Preliminary Design Review in December, while simultaneously planning initial hot-fire tests of newly developed solid motors.

Project Retrofire

2025 marked the establishment and rapid growth of Project Retrofire, WARR’s new rocket lander initiative aiming for autonomous propulsive landing in the Collegiate Propulsive Lander Challenge (CPLC). The project successfully passed its Mission Concept and Definition Review (MCR & MDR), System Requirements Review (SRR) laying a strong foundation in systems engineering from the outset.

The team expanded significantly and integrated fully into WARR Rocketry’s organizational and development structure. It also progressed swiftly into the detailed design phase with some subsystems already having passed their Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Significant developments included the sizing of the throttleable thrust chamber, the design of throttle valves, thrust vector control systems, reaction control systems for roll stabilization, and the first structural Design of the lander.

Parallel to the design efforts, the Controls team advanced high-fidelity simulations and prepared a subscale test vehicle, the E-Hopper, which conducted its first tethered test flight in late December.

We want to wish you a great start in the year 2026!

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MOVE-II

One of the most important events was the deorbit of our MOVE-II satellite after over 6 years in orbit. Over the last decade, this mission was an essential part of the MOVE team, and we are unbelievably proud of what our alumni and mission controllers achieved with this mission.
With the loss of our last active satellite, the team continued to work on bringing smaller and bigger experiments back to space to continue the heritage.

STONCS

One of those missions we delivered in 2024 for integration is STONCS (Student Technology ON CubeSats), or as we call it, “Fly Your Circuit” (more information). It is a PCB piggybacking on a satellite by Ororatech. The goal of the STONCS mission is the verification of our self-developed sun sensors and other components. This mission was launched at the end of March, and we are incredibly thankful that this was possible.

REXUS/BEXUS

To continue this experience and to have missions with a shorter timeline, we decided to participate in BEXUS (Launch October 2026) and REXUS (Launch March 2027) by DLR, SSC, and ESA.
We do this in REXUS with PEANUT, short for Piezo Electric Actuators on Nanosatellite Unit Testbed, which aims to demonstrate actuation based on piezoelectric effects to reduce vibrations caused by traditional reaction wheels.
For BEXUS (Balloon EXperiments for University Students), we are working on project PHILEAS, short for Project for High-altitude Identification of Lightweight Exogenic Airborne Specimens, aiming to quantify the presence of microplastics in the atmosphere.
Both of these smaller projects are based on our BEYOND satellite bus, which we developed over the last years.

MOVE-III

Next to those missions, we are also finalizing our MOVE-III design and integrating many subsystems of this mission equally. For this mission, we also have two new big sponsors:

• IQ-Spacecom, who will provide us with our S-Band antennas
• LEO-Space, who will provide us with reaction wheels

In general, the design was cleaned up and is now in the midst of integration and testing. For this mission, we also got a really nice Christmas present: We have a launch for late 2026! We still cannot provide much information yet, but stay tuned for updates in the new year.

So all in all, there are big plans for the next year and a lot of work to do. If you would like to contribute, reach out to us. We are always in need of reviewers and other partnerships to be able to realize our projects, both in small ways through donations as well as in larger ways.

In the meantime, the entire MOVE team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026, full of exciting possibilities!

E-Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/warrtum/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warr.move/
Betterplace: https://www.betterplace.org/de/projects/145064-move

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On October 14th, 2025, at 15:45 Portuguese time, EX-4C lifted off from the launch rail and soared to an apogee of 1487 meters above ground level.

After months of preparation, testing, and long nights, watching our rocket climb into the sky was an unforgettable moment for the entire team. The atmosphere on the pad and in mission control was filled with pure joy and relief.

You can find more about Project Nixus on our Rocketry Team page.

The launch took place at the Campo Militar de Santa Margarida in Portugal. We thank the EuRoC organizers and the Portuguese Space Agency for the launch opportunity.

Go Nixus! Go WARR Rocketry! Go Munich!

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In the fifth episode of our Tech Deep Dive Series, former WESP project lead Ludwig introduces the EX-1E rocket, which flew at the Spaceport America Cup 2024. The EX-1E is a two-stage, supersonic solid-propellant sounding rocket.

Stay tuned for upcoming videos, where we’ll dive deeper into specific components of the EX-1E and its successor, the EX-1Evo, which is set to fly at this year’s IREC competition.

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In this Tech Deep Dive video, former WESP simulation subteam lead Anibal presents the development and capabilities of the WSPR tool. This presentation was originally delivered at the Spaceport America Cup (SAC) 2024.

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In this episode of our WARR Tech Deep Dive series, our Thrust Chamber Team Lead, Moritz, takes you through the design, manufacturing, and testing of our thrust chambers. He shares insights into what we’ve developed and tested over the past years. If you’re interested in rocket engine testing, stay tuned—more videos on this topic will follow as we continue this year’s testing campaigns!

Check out the video to learn more about how we’re refining our tech and what’s coming next!

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In this Tech Deep Dive Series episode, Nixus Injector Design Lead Daniel breaks down the different injector types we use in our bi-liquid project, Nixus. He also shares a look at what’s next for our injector development.

Check out the video to learn more about how we’re refining our tech and what’s coming next!

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In the first video of our new Tech Deep Dive Series, our current Nixus project lead, Jannes, explains how our liquid rocket systems work. Nixus is our bi-liquid project, which we launched at the European Rocketry Challenge in Portugal (EuRoC 2024). As the first student team, we successfully launched a cryogenic bi-liquid rocket in Europe.

INFORMATION: Due to official regulations at EuRoC 2024, we were not allowed to use our main parachute, which decelerates the rocket enough to prevent damage at touchdown. Therefore, the rocket descended with significantly higher velocity and was damaged, as seen in the video.

In future videos, you will learn more about our rocket’s subsystems and other projects in WARR itself.

The Tech Deep Dive Series episodes will come online every second week.

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