Project Home

Following our success in TARC in 2021, we were given the opportunity to submit a proposal to NASA to participate in the 2022 Student Launch Initiative. We had this opportunity several times in the past, but decided it required too much time and resources. We don't have any place to fly High Power Rockets within an hour drive and needed a certified NAR member to participate. Jonathan Raines, a local model rocket enthusiast, agreed to be our L2 certified mentor. And we had the winnings from TARC 20221 to help cover costs. We submitted a proposal in September 2021 and had it accepted. We were one of 16 high school teams in the country. There were 44 university level teams.

The main guidance for the program came from the NASA Student Launch Initiative Handbook.

NASA gave us a series of presentations to help us through the program:
Introduction, Structure, Recovery, Propulsion, Payload, Milestones and Reviews

Our Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was held on November 9, 2021. We submitted a report, a flysheet, and gave our presentation. NASA gave us a critical review and we adjusted several items.

Our Critical Design Review (CDR) was held on January 2, 2022. We again submitted a report, a flysheet, and gave our presentation. We missed the Subscale flight date of January 3 because of an outbreak of COVID in several families in late December. We completed the Subscale flights on January 8. NASA gave us approval to fly our full-scale rocket which we did on February 12.

Our Flight Readiness Review (FRR) was held on March 6, 2022. We submitted a report, a flysheet, and gave our presentation. We also sent NASA a Transmitter Data Sheet. We tested our parafoil payload on March 26 and again on April 2. The parafoil seemed to work, but not without stress and some failure.

We flew our final project on April 9, after which we submitted our Post Launch Assessment Review (PLAR) on April 29, 2022.

We were required to conduct several STEM Engagement activities for members of our community. We ran a rocket building class at the Science Center and then launched the rockets at the NARHAMS launch site and Red Gate Park in Rockville. STEM Engagement Rocket Launch, November 2021

The team conducted the following flights. 

Here is a picture slide show for the project. 

Building our rockets...