The only project of its kind in Canada
The Oronos project was established last year by a student committee comprising 15 future engineers from Polytechnique with a passion for aerospace, drawn from seven engineering specialities. This is the first student project of its kind anywhere in Canada. "Oronos has set out to design and build experimental rockets," explains Gabriel LaRoche-Johnston, the project's general manager. "We're aim to take part in international university competitions and also to develop leading-edge knowledge in the aerospace field."

Oronos ready to measure up against international teams
The launch, conducted in Saint-Pie-de-Guire, Québec, was certified by Transport Canada and the Canadian Association of Rocketry. "We were quite nervous, because only about six tests of this type are conducted each year anywhere in northeastern North America," says Nicolas Kudeljan, who is responsible for the project's promotional side. "While we already had Class 1 and 2 permits, a Class 3 permit is what lets us take part in international competitions. The first one we're aiming for is the 6th Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition, to be held next June. This is an opportunity we must not miss!"

Fortunately, everything went well for Everest, which returned intact from its flight, an essential criterion for obtaining certification. With its carbon-fibre fuselage, the prototype used in the test is eight feet (2.5 m) long. It achieved acceleration of 225 m/s2 on takeoff and flew to an altitude of 3,300 feet (1 km).

Technical challenges and innovative approach
The team is working now on developing its competition prototype to go up against the major U.S. teams at the 6th Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition, to be held near Green River, Utah. The team must be capable of sending up a rocket with a payload of 10 pounds (4.53 kg) to an altitude of 10,000 feet (3.048 km) with the greatest possible accuracy.

The prototype rocket intended for the competition is 14 feet (4.27 m) long. The students chose to equip it with a hybrid engine, which offers the dual advantages of safety (its fuels are inert under normal atmospheric conditions) and simplicity. "This is an interesting approach that has scarcely been explored for experimental rockets," notes Simon Bouliane, a team member on the propulsion side. "We are taking the risk of innovation!" In addition to designing and building the fuselage and the engine, the Oronos project also involves making the launch pad and developing a rigorous launch protocol. The research centre at Valcartier military base is providing technical support to the team.

Polytechnique, a Québec aerospace leader
The Oronos project epitomizes Polytechnique's leadership in aerospace engineering. In 2009, the institution became the first in Québec to offer a bachelor's program in this field. Polytechnique also benefits from the presence of many researcher-professors who specialize in this field, especially at the IDEA Research Chair, inaugurated in April.

More than 400 Polytechnique graduates currently work at Bombardier Aerospace and at Pratt & Whitney Canada. Other student projects at Polytechnique include the Avion Cargo technical society, which has won numerous awards at major international competitions.

The Oronos technical group will be present at the École Polytechnique Open House, to be held on Sunday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Media representatives and the general public are welcome.

About Polytechnique Montréal
Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering university institutions in terms of both teaching and research. It is also the largest engineering university in Québec for the size of its student body and the scope of its research activities. With over 37,000 graduates, Polytechnique Montréal has trained nearly 30% of the current members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Polytechnique provides training in 14 engineering specialties, has 230 professors and over 6,700 students. It has an annual operating budget of more than $100 million, in addition to a $70-million research fund.

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For additional information or for an interview with Gabriel LaRoche-Johnston, managing director of the Oronos team:

Nathalie Rochette
Communications Advisor
Polytechnique Montréal
514 340-4711, ext. 2339
514 941-5660
nathalie.rochette@polymtl.ca