A group of talented students from Switzerland has achieved a remarkable breakthrough in space exploration, successfully testing a prototype of the reusable Colibri rocket – Europe’s first of its kind. In a mere 60 seconds, the small rocket ascended to 105 meters and safely returned to Earth.
What’s astonishing is that the students built their rocket on a budget of just 250,000 Swiss francs, which is a bargain by space standards. As a unique nod to their heritage, they even attached a piece of Swiss cheese to the rocket.
These students have managed to outpace major European companies and space agencies that are only beginning to plan reusable rocket tests, making them effectively the first to succeed in Europe (although internal tests may be ongoing within some companies).
The GSP (Gruyère Space Program) project began in 2018, with the ambitious aim to prove that students could create a reusable rocket faster than professionals. And they did it!
The success of this project inspired them to form a startup called PAVE Space. Rather than developing full-scale rockets, they plan to focus on providing engineering services within the space industry.
The students’ achievement shows that space exploration isn’t solely the realm of large corporations or government agencies. Even a small group of enthusiasts can make meaningful contributions to the industry, opening new paths for innovation and collaboration.
The launch of the Colibri rocket isn’t just a technical milestone – it’s a powerful example of how young, talented people can change the world!
