Marking a new milestone in Philippine aerospace, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Rocketry Team secured its first-ever first-place finish at the 2025 Malaysian Rocket CanSat Competition (MRCC).

The team’s entry, Pompano, became the only rocket in the competition to return intact and reusable, earning the top distinction among 65 international participants.

Structures specialist Clarence James Valenzuela revealed that the success of Pompano was born from the team’s perseverance after the setback of their previous rocket, Siklab, during its launch at the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) last June.

“It is challenging to compare what we did differently in terms of technicality, as both IREC and MRC are very different competitions with distinct standards. However, we learn to be more persistent, innovative, and creative, along with the two most essential traits, experience and teamwork,” Valenzuela said.

Team Advisor Wilfredo Pardorla Jr. asserted that the team’s recovery system was perfected through months of testing and simulations.

“It was the result of months of simulations and static deployment tests, including from previous missions… Every line, harness, and attachment point was modeled, tested, and rechecked. But beyond the technology, it was our commitment to safety and sustainability that drove us to perfect the recovery.”

CanSat member Fritzie Mae Maniquez recalled the tense moments before launch and the team’s overwhelming relief when the rocket’s systems worked flawlessly.

“Our CanSat started transmitting data once the rocket reached a substantial height, overcoming the ground interference it had struggled with before launch… We knew we had a chance, but we never expected to take first place. This win gave us confidence to not shy away from opportunities to grow and learn,” Maniquez stated.

Reusability in rocketry

Pompano was hailed as the only rocket to achieve a full and reusable recovery upon entering the 1KM + CanSat category, where competing teams were tasked to launch one-meter-long soda can-sized satellites to a target altitude.

Structures specialist Derick Jhon Garay emphasized that reusability has become a major innovation that makes rocketry more accessible, sustainable, and cost-effective.

“Building and launching rockets cost a lot of money, which limits how often tests can be done and slows down progress… Reusability has changed the field of rocketry because it allows rockets to be recovered, fixed, and used again instead of being thrown away after one launch,” Garay noted.

By lowering costs and enabling more frequent testing, Garay added that Pompano’s reusability demonstrated how sustainable design can accelerate technological progress in rocketry.

“From an environmental view, reusability lessens material waste and reduces pollution from rocket production and debris. Economically, it saves resources, cuts production costs, and supports growth in the aerospace industry since more reusability means more testing and faster progress at a lower cost.”

Pardorla highlighted the win as proof that Filipino students can compete and lead in global rocketry despite limited resources.

“Our success with Pompano shows that the next generation of Filipino aerospace engineers can compete globally — not just as participants, but as pioneers. We hope this win sparks a national movement toward building a stronger, self-reliant space industry in the Philippines.”

The competition gathered over 60 teams from Asia and the Middle East, with the AdDU Rocketry Team remaining the first and only Filipino collegiate rocketry organization to compete in such international events.

The 2025 MRCC was held in Perak, Malaysia, from September 2 to 4.

Editor’s note: This article was first issued in the December 2025 First Semester Newsletter of Atenews.