Coolant for an Ambitious Aerospace Project
Oest Lubricants supports the ELARA Aerospace project as a lubricant manufacturer and specialist in cooling lubricants
ELARA Aerospace is a student initiative based in Munich that aims to break several world records with its “Starlight” rocket. One of these is to become the first student initiative in the world to launch a liquid-fueled methalox rocket into orbit to an altitude of approximately 150 kilometers. A key challenge in this endeavor is ensuring the reusability of the booster stages and the recycling of key components. The goal is not only to reduce costs and increase launch frequency but also to achieve ambitious environmental goals. Conserving resources is just one of many approaches. For example, 50% of the rocket’s exhaust consists of water vapor, sustainably produced green steel is used, and the supply chain relies on collaboration with leading German companies.
“For us, the focus is on the entire development and manufacturing process,” emphasizes CEO Tom Luca Reinhardt. “This includes not only the technologies and materials used, but also the operating fluids required for them. For example, we source the cooling lubricant for our CNC milling machines from Oest Lubricants in Freudenstadt in the northern Black Forest.”
| Oest will celebrate its 111th anniversary in 2026. |
Oest has 111 years of experience in the research, development, and manufacture of industrial lubricants. In addition to its modern production and logistics facilities, the high-tech laboratory at the company’s Freudenstadt location is at the heart of its operations. This is not only where product innovations are developed. All Oest product families – such as forming lubricants, high-performance grinding oils, and water-miscible cooling lubricants – are continuously optimised here and tailored to meet customer-specific requirements.
“The fact that Oest not only distributes lubricants but also develops and manufactures them in-house, as well as the direct, personal contact with Oest’s application engineering team, is a real advantage for us,” emphasizes Tom Luca Reinhardt. “Expert advice and support regarding the use of cooling lubricants is an important factor for us.”
| Tom Luca Reinhardt (left) talking with Stefan Gernsheimer (center) and Andreas Trick (right) from Oest. |
“The synthetic cooling lubricant Oest Colometa SHD used in this project is ideally suited for the project’s demanding materials. It also offers many beneficial properties,” explains Stefan Gernsheimer, Head of Application Engineering at Oest. “These are not only technical in nature, such as the complete absence of foaming even with fully demineralized water, or the very low consumption. Equally important are the benefits regarding occupational safety and environmental protection. Carefully selected components and a mild pH value below 8 minimize the risk of skin
irritation. The absence of fossil-based ingredients and the high potential for reducing the CO2 footprint in the customer’s application align perfectly with the project’s sustainability goals. The formulation ensures consistently reliable occupational safety, environmental protection, and health protection. It is characterized by high biostability and enables a long service life. Cleanliness inside the machine without deposits ensures minimal effort for cleaning and maintenance.”
Colometa SHD is suitable for all types of materials, such as stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys, non-ferrous metals, aluminum, and composite materials. “Even with stainless steel -which is the primary material processed by ELARA Aerospace – the coolant ensures a clean, uniform surface after CNC machining that meets the highest quality standards,” adds Andreas Trick of Oest Technical Support. “Not least for this reason, Colometa SHD is used in particular in medical technology, the automotive industry, and the aerospace sector.”
In development and prototype production, the ELARA Aerospace team also uses 3D printing, among other methods. However, CNC technology will play an increasingly important role in enabling the company to operate more quickly and cost-effectively. This is especially true given that the goal of one rocket launch per month requires greater flexibility and efficiency. “We want to help ensure Europe’s competitiveness in the aerospace sector in a highly competitive environment,” says Tom Luca Reinhardt. “We are convinced that the aerospace industry is on the verge of profound change, and we want to help shape its future with innovative concepts—by students, for students.” This applies not only to the construction and further development of the Starlight rocket but also to the possibility of conducting a wide variety of experiments in suborbital space. To this end, the “Starlight LV2” is designed to carry a payload of up to 100 kg. At its current stage of development, the rocket is 12.3 m long and 55 cm in diameter, weighs 1.35 metric tons, and has a thrust of 28 kN. Preparations for the first launch are in full swing. “We’re ready to reach for the stars!” says Tom Luca Reinhardt enthusiastically, expressing his gratitude for the collaboration with Oest Lubricants.
“Our network of universities and partners in academia and research, as well as the support we receive from sponsors and renowned companies, is what makes our project possible. Together, we are making an important contribution to shaping the future of aerospace in Europe.”
ELARA Aerospace gGmbH
Freisinger Landstraße 52
D-85748 Garching I Germany
www.elara-aerospace.com
OEST LUBRICANTS GmbH & Co. KG
Georg-Oest-Straße 4
D-72250 Freudenstadt I Germany
www.oestgroup.com
