Record-breaking UK rocket launch

It is always fun to see a rocket launch, and this one was a bit special for a group of UK students from Sheffield as it smashed the UK and European altitude records for liquid-fuelled rockets.  

Appropriately named “Desert Winds”, the students launched their rocket in the Mojave Desert. Its successful launch took it to an altitude of 26,879 feet - just over 5 miles up. The previous European record was a mere 21,274 feet - just over 4 miles. 

The team behind this have called themselves Project Sunride, and they designed and built this rocket in only 6 months. As an extracurricular activity with Sheffield University's Engineering Department, it was a student-led project, and it must have been exciting seeing their rocket disappear into the sky!

Given the ever-increasing interest in #SpaceTech, these students will hopefully be shining stars of the future.