Scientific Workgroup for Rocketry and Spaceflight

{{short description|Scientific workgroup at Technical University of Munich}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} The '''Scientific Workgroup for Rocketry and Spaceflight''' ('''WARR''') ({{langx|de|Wissenschaftliche Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Raketentechnik und Raumfahrt}}) is a scientific workgroup situated at Technical University of Munich, composed mainly of its students. It was founded by students in 1962 with the goal to compensate for the lack of a chair for space technology at the university at the time.<ref name="JPC 2013">{{cite journal|last=Sudhof|first=Samuel|author2=Lungu, Paul|title=Hybrid Engine Development, Education and Outreach at Munich's Scientific Workgroup for Rocketry and Space Flight (WARR)|journal=Joint Propulsion Conference Proceedings|date=17 July 2013|volume=49|doi=10.2514/6.2013-4137|url=http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2013-4137|access-date=27 January 2014|isbn=978-1-62410-222-6|archive-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927150745/https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2013-4137|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Since the establishment of such a chair in 1966, the group has conducted practical projects, starting with the first successful development and of a hybrid rocket in Germany. One rocket of this type was launched in 1972, another is on permanent display at Deutsches Museum. WARR has attained some public attention by for its projects in space elevator competitions,<ref name=esa_website>{{cite web|last=European Space Agency|title=Die Europaeische Space Elevator Challenge geht in die zweite Runde|url=http://www.esa.int/ger/ESA_in_your_country/Germany/Die_Europaeische_Space_Elevator_Challenge_geht_in_die_zweite_Runde|publisher=ESA|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509025104/http://www.esa.int/ger/ESA_in_your_country/Germany/Die_Europaeische_Space_Elevator_Challenge_geht_in_die_zweite_Runde|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Japan Space Elevator Association|title=Results from Asia's first ever Space Elevator Competition|url=http://www.spaceelevatorblog.com/Images/2009JSETEC/2009-08-13-PressRelease_english.pdf|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232850/http://www.spaceelevatorblog.com/Images/2009JSETEC/2009-08-13-PressRelease_english.pdf|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> small satellites<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilkens|first=Andreas|title=Zwei bayerische Uni-Satelliten im Weltall|url=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Zwei-bayerische-Uni-Satelliten-im-Weltall-2051346.html|publisher=Heise Verlag|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-date=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127000936/http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Zwei-bayerische-Uni-Satelliten-im-Weltall-2051346.html|url-status=live}}</ref> interstellar spaceflight concepts,<ref>{{cite web|last=Swinney|first=Robert|title=Project Icarus Workshop Winner Announced|url=http://www.icarusinterstellar.org/project-icarus-workshop-winner-announced-andreas-heins-ghost-future-plans/|publisher=Icarus Interstellar|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202195207/http://www.icarusinterstellar.org/project-icarus-workshop-winner-announced-andreas-heins-ghost-future-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref> and for winning all SpaceX Hyperloop pod competitions.<ref name="HyperloopII">{{cite news |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/germanys-warr-team-wins-spacexs-hyperloop-ii-race-201-mph-pod-run/ |title=Germany's WARR team wins SpaceX's Hyperloop II race with 201-mph pod run |first=Alan |last=Boyle |work=GeekWire |location=US |date=27 August 2017 |access-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925021152/https://www.geekwire.com/2017/germanys-warr-team-wins-spacexs-hyperloop-ii-race-201-mph-pod-run/ |archive-date=25 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HyperloopIII">{{cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/22/17601280/warr-hyperloop-pod-competition-spacex-elon-musk |title=WARR Hyperloop pod hits 284 mph to win SpaceX competition |date=18 July 2018 |work=The Verge |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171135/https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/22/17601280/warr-hyperloop-pod-competition-spacex-elon-musk |archive-date=29 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HyperloopIV">{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/21/team-tum-wins-spacex-hyperloop-pod-competition-with-record-288-mph-top-speed/|title=Team TUM wins SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition with record 288 mph top speed|website=TechCrunch|date=22 July 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-28|archive-date=22 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722184259/https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/21/team-tum-wins-spacex-hyperloop-pod-competition-with-record-288-mph-top-speed/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Currently, WARR works in the fields of bi-liquid propulsion, satellite technology, robotics, and transportation technologies.

WARR is one of the founding members of the German National Student Space Flight Society (Bundesverband studentischer Raumfahrt e.V.), a national organisation of student space clubs, similar to SEDS.

== History == {{Prose|section|date=July 2023}} {| class="toptextcells" |1962 |Founding of WARR by {{ill|Robert Schmucker|de}}{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} |- |1966–1974 |Research on engines for hybrid rockets{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} |- |- |1974 |First flight of Barbarella (first German hybrid rocket, displayed in German Museum){{citation needed|date=January 2019}} |- |since 1975 |Research on engines for liquid-propellant rockets |- |- |2000 |Construction of a hybrid demonstrator engine{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} |- |2002 |Occupation of the new space in Garching and establishing a dynamometer |- |2004 |Presentation of projects at ILA in Berlin, Germany |- |since 2005 | Scientific payload T-Rex on the Swedish sounding rocket Rexus in cooperation with the chair for space travel and the EADS Astrium GmbH. |- | | Work on the following projects: space elevator, cubesat (mini satellite) and Micro-Hybrid (miniature hybrid engine){{citation needed|date=January 2019}} |- |2006 | First WARR Winter Launch (WWL, model rocket contest) and presentation of the project at the ILA in Berlin, Germany{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} |- |2009 | Founding of WARR Interstellar Flight Team <ref>{{cite web |publisher=WARR |url=http://www.warr.de/isf/team |title=WARR Interstellar Space Flight |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231120/http://www.warr.de/isf/team |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- |2011 | Organization and participation in the first European Space Elevator Challenge (EUSPEC) on the grounds of TU Munich<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Klaus Höchstetter Stiftung |url=http://www.klaus-hoechstetter-stiftung.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=16&Itemid=36 |title=Projekte 2011 |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000610/http://www.klaus-hoechstetter-stiftung.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=16&Itemid=36 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |- |2012 | Contribution to IdeenPark in Essen, Germany <ref>{{cite web |author=Pascal Hesse |publisher=Der Westen |url=https://www.derwesten.de/staedte/essen/mit-dem-aufzug-ins-weltall-beim-ideenpark-in-der-messe-essen-id6980855.html |title=Mit dem Aufzug ins Weltall beim Ideenpark in der Messe Essen |date=2012-08-14 |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-date=8 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208184442/http://www.derwesten.de/staedte/essen/mit-dem-aufzug-ins-weltall-beim-ideenpark-in-der-messe-essen-id6980855.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- |2012 | Participation in SpaceUp conference in Stuttgart, Germany<ref>{{cite web |author=AerospaceResearch.net |publisher=AerospaceResearch.net |url=http://www.warr.de/satelliten |title=spaceup stuttgart 2012 20min talk michael deiml warr and their current projects |date=2013-01-29 |access-date=2014-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204024319/http://www.warr.de/satelliten |archive-date=2013-12-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- |2012 | Founding of a project group for satellite technology, and the initiation of work on Cubesat MOVE-II financed by German Aerospace Center<ref name="warr_satelliten">{{cite web |author=WARR |publisher=WARR |url=http://www.warr.de/satelliten |title=WARR Satellitentechnik |date=2013-01-29 |access-date=2015-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204024319/http://www.warr.de/satelliten |archive-date=2013-12-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- |2013 | Founding of the project group STERN, aiming to break the student record for rocket altitude in Europe<ref name="warr_stern">{{cite web |publisher=WARR |url=http://www.warr.de/raketentechnik/stern |title=Raketentechnik - Projekt Cryosphere |date=2013-06-04 |access-date=2015-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235250/http://www.warr.de/raketentechnik/stern |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- |2013 | Founding of the project group "WARR Space Manufacturing" for research on 3D printing in microgravity<ref>{{cite web |publisher=WARR |url=http://www.warr.de/raketentechnik/stern |title=Raketentechnik - Projekt Cryosphere |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235250/http://www.warr.de/raketentechnik/stern |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |- |2013 | Launch of the student satellite First-MOVE into a polar orbit<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Heise |url=http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Zwei-bayerische-Uni-Satelliten-im-Weltall-2051346.html |title=Zwei bayerische Uni-Satelliten im Weltall |date=2013-11-21 |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127000936/http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Zwei-bayerische-Uni-Satelliten-im-Weltall-2051346.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |- |2013 | The project group ‘’Interstellar Space Flight’’ wins the international Project Icarus Design Competition for uncrewed interstellar space probes with fusion engines{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | |- |2015 | Launch of the experimental rocket WARR-Ex2 from CLBI in Brazil<ref name="warr_ex2launch">{{cite web |publisher=WARR |url=https://www.facebook.com/WARREx2Brazil |title=Facebook-Page on the Launch of WARR-Ex 2 |date=2015-06-04 |access-date=2015-09-20}}</ref> | |- |2015 | The project group ’’Interstellar Space Flight’’ wins the international Dragonfly Design Competition for uncrewed interstellar space probes with laser sail engines<ref name="warr_dragonfly">{{cite web |publisher=Centauri Dreams |url=http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=33615 |title=Small Interstellar Probes, Riding Laser Beams – The Project Dragonfly Design Competition Workshop |date=2015-07-17 |access-date=2015-09-20 |archive-date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729045938/http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=33615 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |- |2015 |Founding of WARR Hyperloop and the development of a prototype for a Hyperloop capsule for the SpaceX Hyperloop pod competition<ref name="warr_hyperloop">{{cite web |publisher=Zeit Online |url=http://www.zeit.de/mobilitaet/2016-02/hyperloop-entwicklung-testphase |title=Elon Musk lässt das Rohrpost-Reisen testen |date=2016-02-18 |access-date=2016-03-14 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314093744/http://www.zeit.de/mobilitaet/2016-02/hyperloop-entwicklung-testphase |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |2017 |Winner of the Hyperloop pod competition I with a top speed of 93 km/h |- |2017 |Winner of the Hyperloop pod competition II with a top speed of 323.5 km/h<ref name="HyperloopII"/> |- |2018 |Winner of the Hyperloop pod competition III with a top speed of 457 km/h<ref name="HyperloopIII"/> |- |2019 |Winner of the Hyperloop pod competition IV with a top speed of 463.5 km/h<ref name="HyperloopIV"/> |}

== Project groups of WARR ==

=== Rocketry === thumb Existing since the foundation of WARR in 1962, the department for rocketry is the oldest project group of WARR. With the launch of the first German hybrid rocket in 1974, WARR achieved its first major success, which was promptly followed by the construction of multiple test engines. In 2009 the development of its next rocket began, called WARR-Ex2, powered by the in-house developed hybrid engine HYPER-1 with solid HTPB fuel and nitrous oxide as oxidizer. The rocket was successfully launched on 20 May 2015 from the missile base CLBI on the Atlantic coast of Brazil and reached a maximal altitude of approximately 5 km.<ref name="warr_ex2launch"/> Even before the launch of WARR-Ex2, WARR had begun working on its successor, WARR-Ex3, as part of project STERN<ref>{{cite web |publisher=DLR |url=http://www.dlr.de/rd/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-6978/11527_read-26906/ |title=STERN: Das Raketen-Programm für Studenten |access-date=2015-09-20 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230939/http://www.dlr.de/rd/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-6978/11527_read-26906/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (STudentische Experimental-RaketeN) (German abbreviation for "student experimental rocketry"), organized and financed by the German Aerospace Center. As the given objectives of STERN were already reached within WARR-Ex2, it was decided to build a larger rocket, the WARR-Ex 3. It uses liquid oxygen instead of nitrous oxide, while maintaining the use of HTPB.<ref name="warr_stern"/>It launched in July 2023 from FAR in California and reached an apogee of 12.4 Kilometres.

The Newest project, Project Nixus, features a Biliquid, regeneratively cooled, 3D Printed engine that provides 3.5Kn of thrust. It uses Ethanol and Liquid Oxygen, building on the experience with cryogenics that the EX-3 provided. It will see its first flight on the EX-4 Rocket at the European Rocketry Challenge. The rocket features many new technologies such as CFRP loadbearing skins, modular connectors, custom avionics and an SLM printed IN718 ''Valkyrie'' engine. The engine has been Hotfired 22 times as of July 2023

=== Satellite Technology ===

[[File:MOVE-II-Bus.png|thumb|Rendering of the bus of MOVE-II]]

Since the cubesat First-MOVE was primarily developed by doctoral candidates from the institute of astronautics at the TUM, the involvement of students was intensified during the development of its successor MOVE-II. To make use of WARR's existing infrastructure, a new project group was founded, where the members could work on all subsystems. In 2012, development of a mission profile was started. After approval by the German Aerospace Center in 2015, launch of the satellite is expected in 2017.<ref name="warr_satelliten"/>

MOVE-II is a 10x10x10 cm big satellite (1U-Cubesat). It consists of a bus on the one side, which is responsible for power supply, communication and attitude control. Its Mission is to educate Students and Test some prototype Solar Cells.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} MOVE-IIb is an almost exact copy of MOVE-II launched in 2019.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

===Space-Elevator===

WARR Space-Elevator is developing climber robots since its founding in 2005, and also organizes corresponding competitions. The first climber was developed for the JSETEC2009 competition and reached the targeted 150 m in the shortest time.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Japan Space Elevator Association |url=http://www.spaceelevatorblog.com/Images/2009JSETEC/2009-08-13-PressRelease_english.pdf |format=PDF; 184 kB |title=Results from Asia's first ever Space Elevator Competition |date=2009-08-13 |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232850/http://www.spaceelevatorblog.com/Images/2009JSETEC/2009-08-13-PressRelease_english.pdf |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2011 the European Space Elevator Challenge (EUSPEC) was established, which also focused on energy efficiency.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The Space Elevator Blog |url=http://www.spaceelevatorblog.com/?p=1427 |title=EuroSpaceward announces EuSEC - the first European Space Elevator Challenge! |date=2010-10-21 |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002035/http://www.spaceelevatorblog.com/?p=1427 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following that year the competition was repeated with increased cable length of 50 m.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=ESA |url=http://www.esa.int/ger/ESA_in_your_country/Germany/Die_Europaeische_Space_Elevator_Challenge_geht_in_die_zweite_Runde |title=Die Europäische Space Elevator Challenge geht in die zweite Runde |date=2012-09-14 |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509025104/http://www.esa.int/ger/ESA_in_your_country/Germany/Die_Europaeische_Space_Elevator_Challenge_geht_in_die_zweite_Runde |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Interstellar Flight===

thumb|Rendering of the Dragonfly-Probe: This concept won the Project Dragonfly Design Competition

The WARR Interstellar Flight Team (ISF) is working on concepts for interstellar travel.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=WARR |url=http://www.warr.de/isf |title=Interstellar Space Flight - Project Icarus |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224512/http://www.warr.de/isf |archive-date=2013-12-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The goals of WARR ISF are:

* Research on crewed and uncrewed interstellar travel * Utilization of methods from engineering sciences, especially interdisciplinary system engineering * Publication of results on international conferences and journals * Presentation of research findings to the public

In May 2013 the "Ghost Team" of WARR ISF participated in Project Icarus.<ref name="warr_icarus">{{cite web |publisher=WARR |url=http://www.warr.de/isf/icarus |title=Das Team WARR Ghost |access-date=2013-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005823/http://www.warr.de/isf/icarus |archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The name "Ghost" derives from the sudden appearance of the team in the competition and resulting in confusion of the other participants. WARR presented its concept at the British Interplanetary Society in October 2013 and was awarded for the best design among 4 international teams.<ref name="warr_icarus"/>

In October 2014 begun development of a laser propelled interstellar probe for the Project Dragonfly Design Competition, held by the Initiative for Interstellar Studies (I4IS). The WARR team could prevail in this competition against international competitors, too.<ref name="warr_icarus"/>

===Hyperloop===

In August 2015 the project group Hyperloop was founded to participate in the Hyperloop Pod Competition sponsored by SpaceX. In January 2016, WARR's was one of 30 international teams selected (from a pool of over 700 initially participating<ref>{{cite web |publisher=SpaceX |url=https://twitter.com/Hyperloop/status/613098438276702208 |title=Tweet |access-date=2016-03-14 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314100551/https://twitter.com/Hyperloop/status/613098438276702208 |url-status=live }}</ref>) to build a functional prototype for the final phase of the competition in summer of 2016.<ref name="warr_hyperloop"/>

{{asof|2016|06}}, the prototype developed by WARR was intended to feature an electrodynamic suspension system to levitate and an axial compressor to minimize aerodynamic drag from the residual air inside the tube.<ref>{{cite web |work=The Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.de/2016/02/03/hyperloop-studenten-munch_n_9147664.html |title=Zukunft des Reisens? Wie Münchner Studenten den Hyperloop bauen |date=2016-02-03 |access-date=2016-03-14 |archive-date=6 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706104045/https://www.huffingtonpost.de/2016/02/03/hyperloop-studenten-munch_n_9147664.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Request quotation|date=May 2017}}

The WARR pod was the fastest in the January 2017 competition which was run on the ''SpaceX Hyperloop test track''—or ''Hypertube''—a mile-long, partial-vacuum, {{convert|72.0|in|m|sp=us|disp=flip|adj=on}}-diameter steel tube purpose-built in Hawthorne, California for the competition. In December 2018, WARR Hyperloop was rebranded to TUM Hyperloop. Since this time it is managed by a separate organisation, called NEXT. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.geekwire.com/2017/elon-musk-hyperloop-tunnel-spacex/ | title=Elon Musk hails Hyperloop teams – and touts the tunnel he'll be boring at SpaceX | date=30 January 2017 | access-date=31 January 2017 | archive-date=4 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204065538/http://www.geekwire.com/2017/elon-musk-hyperloop-tunnel-spacex/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-hyperloop-results-first-phase-2017-1 | title=Here are the big winners of Elon Musk's Hyperloop pod competition | website=Business Insider | access-date=31 January 2017 | archive-date=2 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202063120/http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-hyperloop-results-first-phase-2017-1 | url-status=live }}</ref>

== External links == * [http://tumhyperloop.de// TUM Hyperloop] * [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsP2oiB6Gq_s0E6r2T2RSQ Youtube-Channel of TUM Hyperloop] * [http://www.warr.de/ WARR Homepage] * [https://www.youtube.com/user/warr1962 Youtube-Channel of WARR]

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Rocketry Category:Space agencies Category:Space programme of Germany Category:Technical University of Munich