The Rexus 25 research rocket took off from the space center in northern Sweden on Monday. On board were experiments by German student teams from Bremen, Jena and Munich. The rocket reached the planned altitude of 80km and there was weightlessness for a short time. Now the students are eagerly waiting for the collected data so that they can evaluate it.
A 22 cm long glider for research in the atmosphere will enable further experiments and measurements to be carried out in the atmosphere in the future. The small aircraft is intended to be used in the field of climate research. It can also provide students with useful data regarding the effects of cosmic rays on the genetic makeup of cells.
Another experiment in the field of medicine is intended to research foraminifera, single-celled creatures with a calcium carbonate shell. Its shell, made entirely of lime, has many chambers and could therefore be used in the production of tablets that release the active ingredients in a controlled manner.
As part ofanother projectStudents try to measure the loads that act on the Rexus research rocket. The results can help improve the design stability and efficient construction of the rockets.
The next research rocket Rexus 26 will launch on Monday, March 18th and is also expected to provide important information in the field of satellite technology. A new system, for example, can prove particularly helpful. It can precisely control the position of the small satellites. Another project is intended to research how exactly Saturn's rings were formed.
Rexus is a program for students that gives them the opportunity not only to plan space projects, but also to carry them out and evaluate the results in collaboration with the German Center for Applied Space Technology in Bremen. This year's campaign starts in summer 2019. The conditions for participation will then be published. Students have until October to submit their projects.
