Western Sydney University rocket team aims high in first national competition

Team members George Carrasco Millian, Samuel Lenon Matthers, and Samuel Geddes, with Dr Anil Ravindran.

A team of aspiring engineers and scientists from Western Sydney University is preparing to compete at the Australian Universities Rocket Competition (AURC) for the first time.

The Western Sydney University Rocketry Team will take part in Australia’s premier competition for university students passionate about rocketry, aerospace, science, and engineering in Australia, taking place 1-4 October in White Cliffs in outback NSW. Each year, teams design, build, and launch their own rockets, putting their skills, creativity, and teamwork to the test.

Supported by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, and led by Dr Anil Ravindran from the School of Engineering, the team consists of students studying engineering and science, who have spent the past year designing, building and testing a competition rocket, ‘PATHFINDER’, at the University's Kingswood campus.

Standing 3.4 metres tall and weighing approximately 25 kilograms, the team's rocket is designed to reach speeds of up to Mach 0.8, or around 270 metres per second, just below the speed of sound.

Student Hunter Storr, Founder and Team Lead of the Western Sydney University Rocketry Team, from Emu Plains, said the team was excited to compete in the 10,000 ft Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solid Rocket Motor Category.

“The initial idea of the team was formed back in the middle of 2025, in the hope to create research opportunities and build industry connections in the aerospace community. As a small team of hard-working individuals, we have pushed to show what Western Sydney University students are capable of,” said Hunter.

“Our aim is to successfully compete in the launch. Simply getting there and launching is an achievement in itself, but we are trying for the win.”

"This is the first time Western Sydney University has competed in the competition, and we're proud to represent the University on the national stage."

Dr Anil Ravindran, Samuel Lenon Matthers, and Hunter Storr, pictured with Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon, Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science.

Designed and manufactured by students, the rocket showcases advanced engineering capabilities through the use of lightweight composite materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.

The project provides students with hands-on experience in rocket design, construction and testing, while applying the same engineering principles used throughout the aerospace industry.

With the development of Bradfield and the Western Sydney International Airport, Western Sydney is set to become a major hub for aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing and production.

“We aim to introduce students to the fast-growing and changing world of aerospace engineering, not only deepening their understanding of their specific disciplines but also helping them learn how those disciplines integrate at a systems level. The problems we solve in rocketry are problems solved in industry,” said Hunter.

The team hopes the rocketry project team will continue to evolve and grow in the years to come, and their first competition is the start of many research and education opportunities for aspiring students within the community.

“We hope to build an even bigger group of like-minded students with an interest in the aerospace industry, and eventually share our knowledge with the community across Western Sydney.”

The team will leave for the competition on 28 September.

Follow their journey on Instagram.

ENDS.

25 September 2026
Ali Sardyga, Senior Media and PR Advisor