University engineering students will get a chance to test their work and the bounds of gravity tomorrow when a NASA rocket modified with sensory equipment they built heads for space.
The rocket, scheduled for a launch window between 6 and 10 a.m. at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island, Va., is integrated with arrays built by second, third and fourth years as part of an ongoing mechanical engineering course in aerospace design.
"What they really get out of it is real life experience," Associate Aerospace Engineering Prof. Gabriel Laufer said. "Not only do they design, but they build something that works in a real situation."
Students in a range of special aerospace design courses contributed to the design and construction of two remote sensory arrays, one of which will measure levels of methane in the stratosphere, and another chlorophyll levels in the ocean.
"It was a tough process," said fourth--year Engineering student Keith Moored, a student leader of the project. "We had to learn from so many different fields."
The rocket will reach a sub-orbital zenith of 33 miles in a flight expected to last 15 to 20 minutes. While airborne, sensors will take readings and store data onboard. The rocket then will crash into the ocean for retrieval.
Laufer explained that the data will be scientifically viable, and said he hopes to publish findings in academic journals following the experiment.
"The project certainly has scientific merit," he said.
The University is the only institution of higher education participating in tomorrow's launch, though many schools take advantage of similar NASA programs.
Funding for the University's endeavor came primarily from Northrop Grumman and NASA. The Engineering school itself, George Mason University and the Virginia Space Grant Consortium also lent support.
Laufer said he and his students are hoping to avoid weather complications. Hurricane Isabel, currently registering winds of 155 mph, is expected to move onshore somewhere along the eastern seaboard sometime this week. Weather-related delays would prompt NASA to reschedule in favor of a later date.
"It's very exciting," Laufer said. "We're hoping to squeak by the weather and get the data we want."
Students were faced with real world constraints during the construction of the rocket's payload, including stringent cost criteria and violent strength tests that subjected the payload to forces 19 times greater than its weight.
"The challenges are very serious," Laufer said. "They are challenges that engineers have to face in the real world.
The project currently is slated for an on-time launch.
"There were so many hurdles to clear," Moored said. "But it turned out to be a great project, we all learned so much -- it was a great experience overall"
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | 6 hours agoUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | 11 hours agoThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | YesterdayEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
