Students reaching for the stars
When a team of young engineers decides to build a rocket, passion, precision, and courage come together. The Academic Space Initiative Switzerland (ARIS) accomplished exactly that – and Auer Signal supported them with CT5 signal towers during this year’s European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC).
Safety under extreme conditions
Rocket development involves far more than screws, sensors, and metal components. The ARIS team works with cryogenic liquids such as liquid oxygen at –183 °C, flammable gases like hydrogen, and inert gases like nitrogen – all under pressures exceeding 300 bar and in close proximity to each other.
If anything goes wrong, the situation can become dangerous within seconds. Clear, unambiguous, and highly visible signaling is therefore essential, both at the test stand and at the launchpad.
Clear colors for maximum safety
The CT5 signal tower from Auer Signal plays a crucial role in the project. It uses the familiar three-color system (green/amber/red), a standard widely used in professional rocketry.
At the test stand and launchpad, everyone immediately understands the status:
- Green: System is safe
- Amber: Lines are being pressurized and tanks are filling
- Red: Ignition system armed
Particularly at the launchpad, red is one of the most critical signals. Once the ignition system is active, no one is allowed near the rocket. At that point, everything is ready for launch.
"The signal light from Auer Signal not only met all our requirements but was also extremely easy to install. It was probably the only component in our entire project that worked perfectly from the moment it was installed."
Meeting these requirements is no small task. The device must operate reliably in any weather condition – because rocket testing is not postponed due to rain or snow. Even if flames flare up briefly after an engine test, the signal tower must withstand the heat.
A setback, yet still a strong year
Many things went exceptionally well for ARIS at EuRoC. But at the decisive moment, a faulty pressure sensor prevented the launch.
Despite this setback, the team looks back proudly on a year of intense work, impressive technical progress, and countless insights they will take with them into the next season.
