DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 3 June) — The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Rocketry team, qualified for this year’s Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) 2025 in Midland, Texas, USA, aims to launch a student-made rocket capable of reaching 30,000 feet.
Rogel Mari Sese, chair of AdDU’s Aerospace Engineering (ASE) department and mentor of the 13-member delegation, stated that this marks their first attempt in the 30,000-foot commercial off-the-shelf category. "If successful, this will be the highest altitude achieved by any Philippine-made rocket," Sese said during a press conference.
The team, led by Avery Clyde Dimasuhid, includes Franz Carlo Guevara (flight operations), Derick Jhon Garay, Mariz Aylah Cenoja, Jeff Joaquin Jao (rocket structure), Azaella Beatriz Amposta, Clarence James Valenzuela (avionics), Niel Andrie Paye (recovery), Angelo Ryan Dolina, Aidan Ryan Evangelista (payload), Carlos Leo Panelo (financing), Nhorman Carl Baluran (documentation), and Fritzie Mae Maniquez (sponsorships).
Their new rocket, named "Siklab" (spark or blaze), targets a significant altitude increase from their previous 10,000-foot performance at the 2024 Spaceport America Cup in New Mexico. Sese noted that 30,000 feet approaches aircraft cruising altitude, presenting greater technical challenges.
Dimasuhid highlighted the difficulty of balancing academics and project deadlines, with development spanning two semesters—planning and procurement followed by assembly and testing.
Guevara explained that Siklab is taller (11 feet) and slimmer (4-inch diameter) compared to last year’s 9.7-foot rocket. It will carry air quality sensors (measuring CO₂ and O₂ levels) and a flight camera, while adhering to updated payload weight limits (reduced to 2 kg). The rocket’s speed will also increase to Mach 1.7 (600 m/s), a major leap from Mach 0.7 in 2024. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
