OUR PROJECTS
At NOVA, student-driven innovation lies at the heart of everything we do. Our projects offer a hands-on playground for members to experiment, collaborate, and bring their aerospace ideas to life.
From fixed-wing UAVs to agile multirotor drones, our teams dive into real engineering challenges - designing, prototyping, and flying advanced aerial vehicles for both competition and research.
THE CARPATHIAN SHADOW
THE CARPATHIAN SHADOW
NOVA's biggest competition: AIAA DBF 2025 in Tucson, AZ – world's top RC aircraft challenge by AIAA. Carpathian Shadow UAV (8.8kg MTOW, 1.8m wingspan) carried 4.8kg payload plus X-1 glider for autonomous release/landing.
Competed against 112 elite teams from MIT, Stanford, Embry-Riddle, Georgia Tech, RMIT – securing 62nd place.
PROJECT AEROS
PROJECT AEROS
NOVA's third competition: Student AirRace 2025 in Munich, Germany – world's first "hyperdrone" racing challenge by EUROAVIA. AEROS coaxial multirotor (8kg) raced FPV/autonomously on a circuit, launching NOVA's international multicopter division with 1st place victory.
1st/3rd against UPC ATLAS (Spain) and TUM Drone Racing (Germany) teams among 60 participants, attracting sponsors like Quantum Systems and Ansys.
PROJECT AEROATLAS
PROJECT AEROATLAS
NOVA's first competition ever: Air Cargo Challenge 2024 in Aachen, Germany – international UAV cargo transport challenge. AEROATLAS UAV (6kg MTOW, 2.2m wingspan) carried 2.4kg payload ("passengers" as billiard balls) for maximum speed/efficiency under strict power and crate limits.
Competed against 30 teams from Stuttgart, Udine, UBI, PoliTO, TUM – securing 20th place and Romania's return after 9 years.
Our photos express the journey and spirit behind every UAV we build, preserving memories from each step, challenge, and achievement along the way.