INVICTUS I
PROJECT
INVICTUS
2024
In 2024, we built Portugal's first ever student-developed hybrid-propulsion rocket - the result of two years of relentless research, engineering, and teamwork.
LENGTH
4.3m
TOTAL MASS
54,1kg
TOP SPEED
260m/s
THRUST
2600N
HOT FIRE TEST
The first ever in Portugal...
INVICTUS II
PROJECT INVICTUS 2025
UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
INVICTUS
PROJECT
INVICTUS
2025
Invictus II is the second iteration of our rocket development project aimed at participating in the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC). The goal is to design, build, and launch a high-performance hybrid-propulsion rocket capable of reaching the 3 km altitude category of the competition.
Building on the foundation laid by our first hybrid rocket, Invictus II focuses on optimizing every subsystem - from aerodynamics and propulsion to avionics and recovery - resulting in a more efficient, reliable, and refined vehicle. The propulsion system remains hybrid, as in the original project, but with improvements.
Invictus II reflects our commitment to engineering excellence, iteration, and pushing the limits of student rocketry in Portugal.
Avionics
The Avionics department is responsible for the rocket's electronic and control systems. It ensures reliable operation, communication, and data collection throughout the mission, bridging software, hardware, and real-time information.
Main Responsibilities
Coding and maintenance of the rocket's onboard software
Development and integration of custom electronic hardware
Real-time data acquisition during all mission phases
Transmission and visualization of telemetry data
Post-flight data analysis and diagnostics
Structures
The Structures department is in charge of the rocket's physical integrity. It focuses on designing and validating the mechanical framework that holds all systems together, ensuring the rocket can withstand the extreme conditions of launch, flight, and recovery.
Main Responsibilities
Design of the rocket's structural frame and outer shell
Development of mechanical interfaces between systems
Integration of structural components with other subsystems
Structural simulations and stress analysis
Validation of materials and geometries for flight loads
Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics department focuses on understanding and optimizing how the rocket behaves as it moves through the atmosphere. Through careful design and simulation, the team ensures stable, efficient, and predictable flight performance.
Main Responsibilities
Design of aerodynamic components (nose cone, fins, etc.)
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations
Flight trajectory simulation using RocketPy
Optimization of drag, stability, and aerodynamic efficiency
Validation of aerodynamic behavior under flight conditions
Ground
The Ground department ensures that everything on the ground is ready for a successful launch and testing campaign. From fueling systems to test benches, the team develops and manages the critical infrastructure that supports the rocket before liftoff.
Main Responsibilities
Design and development of the fuel filling station
Implementation of the rocket's internal fluid and hydraulic circuits
Design and manufacturing of the static test stand
Development of the filling station's software and control systems
Integration of hardware and safety systems for ground operations
Propulsion
The Propulsion department is responsible for developing the system that powers the rocket. From designing and testing the combustion chamber to optimizing fuel geometry, this team ensures the reliable and efficient generation of thrust.
Main Responsibilities
Design and manufacturing of the propulsion system (combustion chamber, nozzle, injector)
Development of tools to estimate and analyze thrust, regression rate, and combustion efficiency
Design and optimization of solid fuel grain geometry
Selection and characterization of fuel and oxidizer combinations
Static testing and performance validation of the propulsion system
Recovery
The Recovery department ensures that the rocket returns safely to the ground after flight. This department is also responsible for managing the rocket’s payload - selecting suitable experiments or equipment and ensuring proper integration within the vehicle.
Main Responsibilities
Design of the parachute ejection system
Sizing of parachutes and recovery lines based on rocket mass and descent rate
Manufacturing of custom parachutes and cords
Material selection and testing to ensure mechanical strength and reliability
Integration and testing of the recovery system under realistic conditions
