Structure

The Structures Department designs and manufactures the mechanical structure of ASTRA's rockets. Its main responsibility is to ensure that the vehicle can withstand the loads experienced during handling, launch, flight, and recovery while remaining as lightweight as possible.

Airframe & Structural Components
Structures develops the rocket's main mechanical components, including airframe sections, bulkheads, couplings, mounting structures, and other load-bearing parts. The team ensures that these components fit together correctly and provide the necessary strength and stiffness throughout the flight.

Mechanical Design & Analysis
Members design components in CAD and evaluate how forces, vibrations, pressure loads, and acceleration affect the vehicle. Structural concepts are compared and optimised to balance strength, mass, manufacturability, and integration with other subsystems.

Manufacturing & Integration
A significant part of the department's work takes place in the workshop. Components are manufactured, assembled, inspected, and integrated into the rocket together with other departments. Depending on the component, this can involve metals, polymers, composite materials, and different manufacturing techniques.

What Does the Work Look Like?
Work in Structures combines mechanical design, CAD, structural analysis, materials engineering, manufacturing, and hands-on assembly. Members may work on anything from designing a new structural component to producing flight hardware, performing fit checks, and supporting the final integration of the complete rocket.