Four mechanical engineering seniors from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) are embarking on a thrilling venture as part of NASA’s 25th annual Student Launch Challenge. Their goal is to design and build a rocket aimed for a test launch this spring.

The students, Madeline De La Garza, Aubrey Fuchs, Kimberly Tijerina, and Makayla Watts, are among 71 teams selected nationwide to participate in this prestigious competition. NASA officials promote this initiative to inspire students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Competition Framework

Over the span of nine months, participating teams are tasked with creating and launching a high-powered amateur rocket along with a scientific payload. Compliance with specific documentation milestones is required, and teams will undergo continuous reviews throughout the academic year.

The competition culminates in late April and early May with multi-day events at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama, where teams will demonstrate their rockets.

Project Execution

Assisted by Daniel Pineda, an assistant professor in mechanical engineering at UTSA, the student group is leveraging the launch challenge to fulfill part of their senior design project requirements. “We’re conducting several subscale and full-scale test launches leading up to the competition,” Pineda explained.

This year’s participation marks UTSA’s second foray into the NASA challenge; the first was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the team from reaching the launch site in Alabama.

Rocket Design Details

Fuchs noted that the design is a full-scale rocket measuring approximately 90 inches in length, divided into three sections as per competition specifications. The assembled rocket will weigh roughly 20 pounds, escalating to around 40 pounds with the motor and propellant, and aims to reach an altitude of 5,500 feet.

De La Garza highlighted the importance of weight calculations in the project’s early stages. “A lot of that provided a solid foundation for our planning and predictions about the rocket’s capabilities,” she remarked.

Hands-On Learning Experience

Watts, who aspires to pursue a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, shares that her practical work with circuitry has greatly enhanced her understanding, especially after previously struggling with the concepts in class. “I’ve gained confidence through hands-on application,” she noted.

Tijerina, focusing on the rocket’s payload development, has benefited from prior lab sessions in her coursework, leading to the design of a comprehensive data acquisition system for the rocket.

Fuchs also emphasized the relevance of her propulsion class, stating, “The concepts I learned are directly applicable to this project, helping me craft recovery specifications and altitude estimates.”

Future Aspirations

The experience has already begun to influence the career trajectories of the students. De La Garza, an intern with Southwest Research Institute, believes these projects will enhance her resume for future employment. “These hands-on experiences put me in a strong position as I transition to the professional world,” she explained.

Similarly, Tijerina expressed newfound interest in aerospace engineering, shifting her academic focus away from automotive engineering after engaging with the rocket project.