The College of Engineering’s student rocket-design team — the Akronauts — recently competed at the 2019 NASA Student Launch Competition at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., April 4-6. UA’s team was one of 45 teams from 20 states that competed. Teams are tasked with designing, building and testing a rocket and payload while meeting multiple documentation and review milestones with NASA rocketry experts.
The UA rocket team received third place in the Best Vehicle Design Award, second place for STEM Engagement Award, and tied for third place in the Best-Looking Rocket Award. According to a press release issued by NASA, these are preliminary results as the final calculations are still under review for accuracy. NASA will announce the final results in early May.
VIDEO: ‘A fine day for rocketry!’
“Our ability to work well together is what led to our success,” says Jonathan Davis, the team’s vice-president. “Working really hard to make sure every base was covered helped, too. We ran simulations late at night the day before launch. We tested, then re-tested. It paid off. Winning three awards is the most the team has received in the preliminary rounds. Ever.”
Good luck to the team at the Spaceport America Cup in Las Cruces, N.M., June 18-22!
Related:
- Learn about how the Akronauts prepared for competition.
- Learn more about our College of Engineering student design teams.
Media contact: Alex Knisely, 330-972-6477 or aknisely@uakron.edu.