ANU Rocketry – Australian Universities Rocket Competition Project

Students will complete at least 80 hours of work on a defined project that contributes to ANU Rocketry’s preparation for the Australian Universities Rocket Competition or the team’s broader development.

Projects may be technical or organisational and will be scoped with the relevant team lead. Examples include:

• designing, manufacturing or testing a rocket or subsystem;
• developing software, simulations, avionics or data-analysis tools;
• improving safety, testing or operational procedures;
• coordinating competition logistics and equipment;
• developing sponsorship, budgeting or partnership initiatives;
• producing media, communications or public-engagement materials;
• creating recruitment, training or member-support resources; or
• preparing documentation and handover materials for future team members.

The project should address a clearly identified team need and produce an outcome that can be used by ANU Rocketry.

Through this project, students will develop practical experience working within a multidisciplinary, student-led engineering team.

Depending on the project, students may develop skills in engineering design, manufacturing, testing, programming, systems integration, safety, project management, teamwork, leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving.

Students will also learn to define and manage a substantial project, work with people from different disciplines, respond to real-world constraints and communicate their work to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Students must be accepted members of ANU Rocketry before undertaking this project.

Before enrolling, students should discuss their proposed project with the relevant team Director. The project must be supported by the team, align with ANU Rocketry’s current priorities and be achievable within the course timeframe.

Some technical projects may require prior knowledge, workshop access, safety inductions or participation in relevant team training.

Deliverables will be agreed when the project is scoped and should provide a useful, lasting outcome for ANU Rocketry.

Depending on the project, deliverables may include:

• designs, calculations, simulations or code;
• manufactured components or tested systems;
• testing results;
• competition technical documentation, such as design, safety, testing and subsystem documentation required for the Australian Universities Rocket Competition;
• safety, operational or project-management procedures;
• sponsorship, logistics or communications materials;
• training resources or workshop content; or
• a report, guide or handover package for future team members.

Students should also provide a concise summary of their contribution, evidence of the work completed and any recommendations for further development. Where appropriate, this material may form the basis of the student’s shareable artefact.

ANU Rocketry operates according to a biennial competition cycle, alongside ongoing testing, development and recruitment timelines. The availability of particular projects may therefore vary throughout the year.

Students are encouraged to discuss potential projects with the team before enrolling. Competition attendance is not required for every project, although some roles may involve testing, launch activities or travel.

Any public-facing work must respect ANU Rocketry’s safety, confidentiality, branding and sponsor requirements.