ASCENT – TUMs Rocket Hopper
Beyond research – ASCENT Hopper as a platform for student education
Project Overview
The space industry is experiencing – among others – two important trends (1) cost reduction for access to space and (2) renewed interest in space exploration missions. Mission scenarios such as planetary landings are again a focus point. Landing a spacecraft propulsively is important for both landings on Earth or other planetary bodies – with or without a crew on board. Such missions demand highly reliable autonomous and robust spacecraft. This can only be achieved through innovations in hardware and software .
The Autonomous Spacecraft Control and Engine Technology (ASCENT) project is a multidisciplinary effort to design and operate a free-flying hot-gas propelled Hopper platform. This complex project draws on diverse expertise, from system engineering and rocket propulsion to computational and control engineering.
Goals of the ASCENT Project
ASCENT – A research demonstration platform
Developing new technologies is only part of the challenge; rigorous testing is equally vital. Therefore, ASCENT aims to bridge the gap between academic and applied research and technology development. The ASCENT Hopper serves as a testing ground for the Chair and welcomes collaboration with industry and academic partners.
It provides an environment to test and rapidly deploy new technologies, allowing researchers to study subsystem interactions, such as the relationship between propulsion and engine control.
While companies like SpaceX have demonstrated the feasibility of landing a rocket stage, ASCENT’s focus goes a step further by researching fault tolerance in propulsion systems. This innovation aims to enable spacecraft to complete missions reliably, even if the propulsion system encounters failures—an essential capability for autonomous and crewed spaceflight.
Beyond research – ASCENT Hopper as a platform for student education
While the ASCENT Hopper is pushing the frontiers of space technology, it's also paving the way for a new era of student education. Being part of the Hopper development team (through design challenges and thesis work) enables students to gain hands-on experience in the challenging design process of space systems as well as cutting-edge space research fields.
Besides thesis project works, the Hopper is integrated into various courses.
| Semester | Course Title | Study programme |
| WS | Rocket Propulsion II Design Challenge | M.Sc. Aerospace M.Sc. Mechanical |
| WS | Control and Simulation of the Rocket Hopper Demonstrator | M.Sc. Aerospace M.Sc. Mechanical |
| SS | Engineering Project | B.Sc. Aerospace |
Acknowledgments
A special thanks goes to Jon Arrizabalaga Aguirregomezcorta, a PhD researchers from the Chair of Autonomous Aerial Systems (TU Munich) who generously supports the Hopper project. He is the expert in guidance/planning and flight control. He contributes not only his extensive technical knowledge but also his enthusiasm and positivity bring great energy to the project.