Imperial College London students take on Top Gear with a reusable rocket

The first spark of inspiration came from an old episode of Top Gear in which the presenters tried, and failed, to transform a Reliant Robin into a space shuttle.

Watching it, four undergraduates at Imperial College London set themselves their own challenge — to be the first university team to send a reusable rocket beyond the Earth’s atmosphere and bring it back again.

Over the past year they have developed a design, raised money and recruited collaborators in academia and industry. Their first test flight is scheduled for next Saturday, from the Fairlie Moor launch site near West Kilbride, North Ayrshire.