2019
ARES is established and plans to participate in the Australian Universities Rocketry Competition (AURC). Club activity is largely stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but continues researching for future development.
About Us
Founded in 2019, the Aerospace Rocketry and Engineering Society (ARES) is an award-winning student rocketry team based at The University of Melbourne. One of the most prestigious engineering societies at the university, our team comprises over 100 like-minded individuals across the university, brought together by a shared passion for engineering, science and rocketry.
We are committed to ensuring the empowerment and advancement of all our team members, regardless of background, identity or discipline. Our team prides itself on its inclusive and diverse culture, and the sharing of rocketry knowledge amongst all, including those who have been historically excluded from such spaces.
What do we do?
ARES designs, builds and launches high-powered amateur rockets, flying up to 30,000 ft at competitions and events both nationally and internationally. Crafted to an industry-standard by The University of Melbourne’s brightest student engineers and scientists, our rockets push the boundaries of scientific innovation whilst maintaining safety and quality.
Project Odyssey
Our Newest Project
ARES is currently working on a two-year project cycle where we will design, manufacture, launch and recover a 10,000ft rocket with a hybrid engine. Hybrid propulsion technology is amongst some of the newest and most exciting developments in aerospace engineering and ARES is delighted to keep up to this standard.
To accommodate our hybrid engine, we are also developing brand-new systems including the implementation of film cameras to capture on-board video, side-hatch parachute deployment and live telemetry. We are extremely excited to embark on this new endeavour and are keen to share more developments as the project progresses.
Team History & Achievements
2022
ARES launches our first team rocket 'Big Blue.'
2022
ARES attends the Spaceport America Cup (SAC) competition in New Mexico, Texas with our 10,000ft rocket 'Phobos.' We win the Charles Hoult Award for Modelling & Simulation out of 110 teams from across the world.
2023
ARES launches our first-ever 30,000ft rocket at SAC. We presented at the 2023 Podium Session and showed our work on the 'SRAD future-proof flight computer'.
2024
ARES launches our award-winning rocket Florence at SAC. Florence reaches an apogee of 29,782 feet.
Awards: 2nd Place (30k COTS), 4th Place Overall (out of 152 teams), 3rd Place SDL Payload Competition.
2025
Building on the successes of Florence, ARES launched their newest rocket to date 'Lemaire' at IREC in Spaceport Midland, Texas. Lemaire reached an inertial apogee of 30,001ft and an altimeter apogee of 28,460ft. The rocket touched-down under drogue, and was able to be recovered with minimal damage.
After an exciting cycle, ARES has decided to switch to a two-year project cycle, aiming to develop a hybrid engine rocket.
Early 2026
Planned: Additional practice with sub-scale hybrid engine testing. The team aims to conduct 3-4 sub-scale hot fires to gain critical experience and refine operational procedures.
Mid 2026
Planned: Transition to full-scale static testing once the team has sufficient experience with sub-scale operations. Full-scale static fires will validate engine performance and integration with the complete rocket system.
Late 2026
Planned: Final preparations, launch readiness testing, and the launch of ARES' first hybrid rocket engine to 10,000 ft at Tolarno Station. This milestone represents the halfway point of the team's two-year hybrid propulsion development program.
