Students from the Poznań University of Technology achieved spectacular success at the FAR-OUT international rocket design competition, which took place from May 28 to June 2, 2025, in the Mojave Desert, California. The PUT Rocketlab team took first place in Category B, also winning the special award for the most efficient hybrid rocket engine. 

During the competition, the team presented the HEXA 5 rocket, which reached an altitude of 34,551 feet (approx. 10.5 km) – the highest result among all rockets participating in the competition. Furthermore, the rocket returned safely to Earth in a condition that allowed for reuse, setting a record for the organizer (FAR) in the category of recovered hybrid rockets. PUT Rocketlab was the only team from Europe participating in this prestigious competition. 

HEXA 5 is the result of many months of work by a team of nearly 100 students, operating since 2017 as part of the PUT Rocketlab research club. The rocket’s fuselage was made of carbon composite using a proprietary lamination method, and the propulsion system is a BROOMSTICK 2+ hybrid engine – the most powerful student engine of its kind in Poland. 

The team’s participation in the competition was co-financed with PLN 387,080.00 under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education “Support for students in improving their competences and skills” program, which aims to enable students to participate in international scientific and technical events. The Ministry also provided honorary patronage for the premiere launch of the HEXA 5 rocket, which took place in April this year.