Rollon and Skyward Continue Four-Year Aerospace Partnership for EuRoC 2025
Sustained Collaboration Drives Rocketry Innovation
Rollon has renewed its partnership with Skyward Experimental Rocketry for the fourth consecutive year, continuing support for the Orion rocket’s campaign at the 2025 European Rocketry Challenge. This ongoing collaboration demonstrates Rollon’s firm commitment to advancing aerospace education and research through practical engineering applications.
Critical Motion Technology for Advanced Rocket Systems
The Orion rocket represents the latest evolution in Skyward’s hybrid rocket series, succeeding last year’s Lyra model. This advanced vehicle uses a hybrid propulsion system combining liquid nitrous oxide with a solid fuel grain made from paraffin wax and ABS. Rollon’s linear motion components play a vital role in the rocket’s aerobrake system, enabling precise altitude control during flight.
Engineering Excellence Under Extreme Conditions
Rollon linear guides integrated into Orion’s aerobrakes must perform reliably under demanding flight conditions. These components operate at speeds reaching 1000 km/h while supporting approximately 20 kg loads per guide. The system ensures precise deployment and retraction of aerobrakes, crucial for achieving the target altitude of 3,000 meters.
Comprehensive Ground Support Infrastructure
Beyond flight systems, Rollon supports Skyward’s testing operations with reliable motion components for ground equipment. The team’s tank mass measurement test stand incorporates Rollon Compact Rail Plus linear guides for the second consecutive year. This equipment delivers the accurate, repeatable test data essential for mission success and continuous improvement.
Proven Track Record of Success
“We’re pleased to continue our collaboration with Rollon,” stated Michele Dicorato, Head of Structures at Skyward. “Their technical expertise and reliable components have been instrumental in our achievements and ongoing improvements throughout this four-year partnership.”
Investing in Future Engineering Talent
The Rollon-Skyward partnership began in 2022 with the Pyxis rocket launch and has produced multiple competition winners, including the Technical Award-winning Gemini in 2023. This collaboration represents a meaningful knowledge exchange between industry and academia, reflecting Rollon’s dedication to nurturing young engineering talent and advancing aerospace technology.
Industry Perspective on Educational Partnerships
“Aerospace represents a strategic market for Rollon,” explained Alberto De Giorgi, Business Development Manager at Rollon. “We value collaborations with organizations like Skyward that support emerging engineers driving technological innovation. These partnerships create vital connections between academic institutions and the manufacturing sector.”
Preparing for International Competition
Following successful test launches in Roccaraso, Italy, the Skyward team will compete in the 2025 European Rocketry Challenge from October 9-15 in Constância, Portugal. The Orion rocket continues the team’s tradition of integrating Rollon motion technology in their competition vehicles.
Author’s Insight: The Value of Industry-Academia Collaboration
This sustained partnership exemplifies how industry-academia collaborations create mutual benefits. For students, access to industrial-grade components and expertise provides invaluable practical experience. For companies like Rollon, these relationships offer opportunities to test technologies in demanding environments while identifying and nurturing future engineering talent. The four-year duration of this partnership demonstrates its substantial value to both organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long has Rollon collaborated with Skyward Experimental Rocketry?
This marks the fourth consecutive year of partnership between Rollon and the student rocketry team.
What specific Rollon components are used in the Orion rocket?
Rollon linear guides are integrated into the rocket’s aerobrake system, enabling precise altitude control.
What performance requirements must the components withstand?
The linear guides operate at speeds up to 1000 km/h while supporting 20 kg loads per guide during flight.
What ground equipment uses Rollon components?
Skyward’s tank mass measurement test stand incorporates Rollon Compact Rail Plus linear guides for accurate testing.
Where and when will the next competition take place?
The European Rocketry Challenge 2025 occurs October 9-15 in Constância, Portugal.
About Rollon
For fifty years since its 1975 founding, Rollon has specialized in developing and manufacturing linear motion systems. As part of The Timken Company since 2018, Rollon represents the linear motion unit within Timken’s Industrial Motion segment. The company’s solutions serve multiple sectors including industrial automation, aerospace, and medical equipment where performance, efficiency and reliability are critical. Through strategic acquisitions, Rollon now offers a comprehensive product portfolio spanning linear components, actuators, ball screws and rotational units.
About Skyward Experimental Rocketry
Skyward Experimental Rocketry is a Politecnico di Milano student association established in 2012, now comprising over one hundred members from diverse faculties including aerospace, mechanical, computer science and electronics engineering. The organization provides students with practical application opportunities for theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms, achieving the significant milestone of launching probe rockets beyond 1,000 meters.
About the European Rocketry Challenge
The Portuguese space agency organizes the European Rocketry Challenge, established in 2020 as Europe’s first student rocketry competition. Annual events bring teams from across Europe to Portugal for precision launch competitions in 3,000 and 9,000 meter categories. Teams earn points based on altitude accuracy and rocket recovery success, with additional awards recognizing technical reporting, teamwork, design excellence and flight performance.
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