8 July 2025

In a stunning display of engineering excellence and international competitiveness, students from the Poznań University of Technology (PUT) have claimed first place at the prestigious FAR-OUT 2025 rocket competition held in the Mojave Desert, California. Their hybrid rocket, HEXA 5, not only topped its category but also set a new record for the highest fully recovered hybrid rocket in the history of the event.

From Poznań to the Mojave: A Journey to the Stars

Between May 28 and June 2, 2025, the PUT Rocketlab team represented Poland—and Europe—as the only European team at the FAR-OUT (Friends of Amateur Rocketry – Oxidizers Uninhibited Tournament) competition. Organised by Friends of Amateur Rocketry, the event brings together student teams from around the world to test hybrid and liquid-fuelled rockets in real-world conditions.

The competition challenges teams to design rockets that reach a self-declared “contract apogee” with maximum precision. PUT Rocketlab entered Category B (20,000–50,000 feet) with a declared target of 31,616 feet. Their rocket, HEXA 5, exceeded expectations by reaching 34,551 feet (approximately 10.5 km), the highest altitude of any rocket in the competition.

Double Victory: Performance and Innovation

The HEXA 5 rocket was the first to launch during the competition and the only rocket to fly on the first day. It reached a top speed of 511 m/s (1,840 km/h) and returned safely to Earth via parachutes—fully intact and ready for reuse. Its landing was so precise that it was visible to the naked eye from the launch site.

The judges evaluated rockets based on accuracy in reaching the declared apogee; safe recovery and reusability; successful payload deployment; real-time video transmission from onboard cameras

PUT Rocketlab met all criteria flawlessly, earning 1st Place in Category B and the Special Award for the Most Efficient Hybrid Rocket Engine. This recognition places PUT Rocketlab among the top student rocketry teams globally and highlights the strength of Polish engineering education.

HEXA 5: A Polish Engineering Marvel

HEXA 5 is the product of months of interdisciplinary collaboration by nearly 100 students from various faculties and universities, working under the PUT Rocketlab banner. The rocket’s fuselage was crafted from carbon composites using a proprietary lamination technique. Its propulsion system, the BROOMSTICK 2+ hybrid engine, is currently the most powerful student-built hybrid engine in Poland.

The team’s participation was supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which co-financed the project with PLN 387,080.00 under the “Support for students in improving their competences and skills” program. The Ministry also granted honorary patronage for HEXA 5’s premiere launch in April 2025.

PUT Rocketlab: A Launchpad for Future Engineers

Founded in 2017, PUT Rocketlab is a student research group at Poznań University of Technology focused on the design, construction, and testing of supersonic sounding rockets and advanced propulsion systems. The group’s work spans aerodynamic modelling, recovery system design, onboard electronics integration, and hybrid and liquid engine development.

Their projects are regularly showcased at international competitions, conferences, and science fairs, offering students hands-on experience and a platform to share their passion for space exploration.

A Milestone for Polish Space Engineering

The success of PUT Rocketlab at FAR-OUT 2025 is more than a competition win—it’s a milestone for Polish student engineering on the global stage. As the only European team in the competition, their victory underscores Poland’s growing presence in the field of aerospace innovation.

Ph: PUT Rocketlab

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