果冻传媒

In a dynamic example of student-driven innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, Eindhoven University of Technology (果冻传媒) student teams VOID and Aster have joined forces to pursue a shared dream to push the boundaries of space technology from right here in Eindhoven. While each team brings its own ambitious goals and expertise to the table, together they embody the synergy the Student Teams Program under 果冻传媒 innovation Space was designed to foster.

Team VOID is 果冻传媒鈥檚 pioneering student rocketry team. With 40 members from 20 different countries, VOID is united by a single purpose to make spaceflight more accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Their flagship initiative, Project IGNIS, is a rocket that is powered by a self-developed liquid-fueled engine. Unlike the more commonly used solid-fuel rockets in student projects, liquid propulsion systems allow for greater efficiency, control, and reusability, but are significantly more complex to design and operate.

VOID鈥檚 ultimate goal is to build a fully reusable launch vehicle capable of vertical take-off and landing, a technical milestone that would mark a major leap in student-led aerospace engineering.

Team Aster, Eindhoven鈥檚 first student space team, is equally ambitious. Also a team of 40 students representing 14 nationalities, and is currently working on several ambitious projects including a Ground Station and a CubeSat Mission. The Ground Station, set to operate from the rooftop of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Vertigo building, will seek to enable communication with satellites in Earth鈥檚 orbit, while the CubeSat is a long-term initiative that unites the team鈥檚 shared passion for space. Their mission is not just about reaching orbit, it鈥檚 about democratizing space science, promoting education, and sparking public curiosity about the universe.

The partnership between VOID and Aster developed organically, stemming from a mutual recognition that rocketry and payload systems are inherently interconnected.

"This collaboration just makes sense. A rocket needs a purpose, and a payload needs a launch platform. Together, we form a complete and integrated system," explains Patrick Singer, Team Lead at VOID.

In this joint project, VOID is responsible for the design, manufacturing, and launch of the rocket, while Aster contributes AetherSense, a scientific payload capable of recording key in-flight data such as acceleration, temperature, and magnetic fields.

This data will provide crucial insight into the flight behaviour of VOID鈥檚 rocket and environmental conditions. For example, acceleration data will help understand the forces acting on the rocket at different phases of launch, which is vital for improving performance and ensuring structural integrity, while temperature readings reveal how thermal stresses affect components during flight, and monitoring magnetic fields can inform both navigation systems and future instrumentation.

Working in parallel on distinct yet interdependent components allows each team to focus on their strengths while addressing any potential gaps.  We鈥檙e constantly learning from each other by sharing feedback, expertise, and a passion for space.

Liepa Balkut臈

What sets this partnership apart isn鈥檛 just its technical scope, it鈥檚 the fact that such extensive collaborations between student teams are rare.

"To our knowledge, few student teams collaborate this extensively," says Singer. "It has streamlined our processes and allowed us to focus on what each team does best."

Team Aster echoes this sentiment, noting how VOID鈥檚 experience pushed them to grow.

Being encouraged to step outside our comfort zone was a huge learning opportunity. This collaboration taught us the value of openness, adaptability, and shared ambition.

Liepa Balkut臈

And the results speak for themselves. Aster has gained access to real-time flight conditions without the need to build a rocket, while VOID benefits from testing and validating their rocket鈥檚 payload capacity. While both teams could have pursued their goals independently, the journey would have been longer, more difficult, and arguably less rewarding.

Both teams credit much of the collaboration鈥檚 success to a shared enthusiasm for aerospace engineering.

"That common interest built an authentic connection," notes Balkut臈.

Open communication and mutual respect for each team鈥檚 expertise have fostered a productive and motivating environment 鈥� key ingredients for any successful partnership.

This cultural alignment also underscores the value of the Student Teams framework at 果冻传媒 innovation Space, which promotes interdisciplinary teamwork and Challenge-Based Learning. This collaboration is a prime example of what becomes possible when students from different educational backgrounds unite around a shared vision.

We hope this partnership demonstrates what student teams can achieve together. Not just technically, but also in building an even more collaborative student innovation culture. 

Patrick Singer

As Project IGNIS approaches a major milestone with its launch, both teams are already looking to the future. VOID aims to build on this momentum by developing a reusable rocket system as part of their mission for democratizing spaceflight. Meanwhile, Aster continues working toward their long-term goal of designing and launching a first satellite in the Netherlands by a fully student-led team.

Although this collaboration centres around a single project, both teams are open to future partnerships.

"Working together like this has been a really positive experience," reflects Singer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one way a team can set out to achieve its goals, but there are certainly lots of other avenues.鈥� 

In the vast expanse of space, there鈥檚 always more to explore. And thanks to a shared vision, open minds, and the supportive environment cultivated by 果冻传媒 innovation Space, these pioneering student teams are proving that the sky is not the limit.