The Launch Vehicle Department is in charge of the rocket's entire structure. This department analyzes the aerodynamics of the rocket with a specific design which aims to carry a payload and accomplish an altitude milestone. They study each individual components from the interior to the exterior and the motor, each part is analyzed through CFDs (Computational Fluid Dynamics), simulations and many other programs. This department is divided into three sub-departments: Structure, Assembly, and Launchpad. These work together to bring forth a payload capable vehicle that reaches an altitude between 4,000 and 6,000 feet.
The Payload Department focuses on the competition's main objective: the mission. Every year NASA Student Launch provides a different payload mission to the participating teams. The payload team is tasked with analyzing this mission and creating a program that will meet the spirit of the competition. This department is divided into three sub-departments: Hardware, Software, and Retention-Release. These departments work together to bring forth a payload that will satisfy the competition and will be able to carry out the designated mission.
The Recovery Department focuses on the competitions recovery system. The vehicle manufactured must have two parachutes; a drogue and a main parachute. These serve the purpose of reducing the speed of the vehicle while descending and create a safe landing for it. This vehicle also carries altimeters to acquire data related to the maximum altitude reached by the vehicle, while also providing data that can be used to study its behavior. The department is divided into two sub-departments: Parachute & Attachment Hardware and Avionics Bay & Electronics. These departments work together to provide a safe recovery of the vehicle and to provide data utilized for the competition.
The Safety Department is in charge of the team's safety. They must help each department throughout design and manufacturing to ensure that each component worked on has met safety standards. They also work with the team identifying safety hazards, failure modes, and effect analysis related to:
Personnel
Environment Impact on Rocket
Rocket Impact on Environment
Departmental
Single Point Failures
Project Failures.
They are tasked with verifying that each and every one is taken into consideration when designing, manufacturing, launching and recovering the vehicle.
The Business Department is in charge of creating marketing strategies and fundraisers to cover all the monetary and material needs for the team. They make sure to keep the project on budget and provide the materials and tools necessary to ensure a successful participation in the competition. They also plan out the budget and travel details for the trip to Huntsville, Alabama so that our team can have a unique experience participating alongside other universities.
Project Review 1st Place 2020 - Recognition to the College or University determined to have the best combination of Written Reviews and Oral Presentations throughout the Student Launch year.
STEM Engagement 2nd Place 2020 - Inspiring and reaching out to the next Artemis Generation
(First video below)
Rookie of the Year 1st Place 2020 - Recognition to the College or University that experiences their first year of NASA USLI gaining a new experience and facing many challenges.
(Second video below)