The initiative, organized by the Portuguese Space Agency and which represents its fourth edition, aims to promote the development of scientific and educational skills, by challenging students to launch their rockets, which were designed and developed over the past year and assembled in Constancia, and which can reach altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 9,000. meter.
This is the only competition of its kind in Europe, and since 2020 it has attracted an increasing number of participants. In its fourth edition, the Portuguese Space Agency received a record 48 applications from several European university teams. Of these, 25 teams have been selected to launch their rockets this year.
For the first time, two Portuguese teams are competing in the European Football Championship: RED, from the Polytechnic Institute, and North Space, which includes students from the Ingenharia do Porto Institute, the University of Aveiro and the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Porto. University of Porto. Other teams join them, coming from countries such as Sweden, Poland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or Norway, for example.
The EuRoC represents a challenge with high levels of technical requirements and numerous evaluation criteria so that the missiles achieve maximum success and can be launched effectively, reaching the target altitude they are proposed to reach. Equipment safety and weather conditions are among the main criteria.
Teams compete for prizes in different categories. The judging panel, composed of national and international missile experts, will evaluate the teams’ performance according to the behavior of the missile with regard to target altitude (3,000 or 9,000 metres), payload, design and quality of the technical report, among other things. ANACOM, as the Portuguese Space Authority, is responsible for the ANACOM Award dedicated to the analysis and use of frequency spectrum by teams. The EuRoC Award, the most sought-after award, rewards excellence in all aspects of the competition under assessment.
This year, for the first time, all EURoC activities will be concentrated in Constancia. The rockets will be built and completed in the Baddock area, which will be implemented this year in the city’s municipal sports pavilion. In this space, teams will meet in advance for assembly and technical evaluation of projects.
The launches will take place between 12 and 15 October at Campo Militar de Santa Margarida, as has happened during the past three editions, always with the support of the Portuguese Army.
The public is invited to visit the paddock or watch the launches and, in the latter case, book the respective ticket at https://app.beamian.com/euroc-23/new-visitor. 100 tickets will be available for each day, except for Sunday, October 15, when that number will be 75 entries.
Since it is a military facility and for security reasons at the event itself, access to the Santa Margarida Military Field is restricted and can only be done with a ticket or advance accreditation.
The winners of the various awards will be announced on October 16, late in the morning, at a ceremony attended by representatives of various stakeholders.
program
October 10
08:00 – 13:00 Reception and registration of teams at the Paddock (Municipal Sports Pavilion in Constancia);
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Safety Briefing (about safety procedures for teams and other participants)
October 11
09:00 – Opening ceremony of the EURoC (Paddock), a symbolic moment for the students, in the presence of the Head of the Agency, the President of the Constancia Chamber and a representative of the Army.
October 12
First day of launches at Campo Militar de Santa Margarida, Constancia
1:00 PM/1:45 PM – Entry into Santa Margarida Military Camp, Constancia
2:00 PM/3:00 PM – Launch Window (on this day, it will be at this time only)
3:00 PM/3:15 PM – Departure from Santa Margarida Military Camp
3:30pm/4:30pm – Visit to Paddock, the sports wing of the Municipality of Constancia
From 12 to 15 October
Launches take place throughout the day (10 a.m. | 2 p.m. | 4 p.m.), depending on weather conditions and the state of missile preparation.
October 16
9h00/11h00 – Launch results presentation at Paddock (post-flight highlights)
12:00/2:00 PM – Closing ceremony with awards ceremony
About EUROK
The European Rocket Challenge (EuRoC) is a European university rocket launch competition created in 2020 by the Portuguese Space Agency. The competition, the first of its kind in Europe, challenges university students to launch their solid, liquid or hybrid rockets at altitudes ranging between 3,000 and 9,000 metres. Over the past four years, the European Rocket Challenge has established itself as a driving force for the development of the European and national scientific and educational framework, in line with the objectives guiding the work of the Portuguese Space Agency.
About the Portuguese Space Agency
The Portuguese Space Agency is the organization created by the Portuguese Government in cooperation with the Regional Government of the Azores, in 2019 to put into practice the National Space Strategy – Portugal Space 2030. Its main objective is to promote and strengthen the space ecosystem and value chain in Portugal, for the benefit of society and the economy of the country and the world, and acts as a business and development unit for research entities and companies. The Portuguese Space Agency coordinates national participation in several international organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the SKAO (Square Kilometer Array) Observatory. The Portuguese Space Agency is also the national representative of Portugal to the European Commission in space-related matters, the European Union Space Program (Copernicus, Galileo, GOVSATCOM, SSA) and Horizon Europe, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the European Union Space Agency. Space Program (EUSPA).
Other articles
“Writer. Analyst. Avid travel maven. Devoted twitter guru. Unapologetic pop culture expert. General zombie enthusiast.”
