PSP-SA competes annually
in the New Mexico
Spaceport America Cup.
PSP Spaceport America (PSP-SA), previously known as PSP Solids, is dedicated to the manufacturing and launch of a student-built rocket. The team competes annually at the Spaceport America Cup in New Mexico, the largest collegiate rocketry competition in the world. With the team’s rebranding, the main objective has shifted toward teaching new members about the basics of rocketry. Last year’s project inspired the team to think outside the box, so they will be flying to an altitude of 10,000 feet at the June 2023 competition in the “Student Researched And Designed” (SRAD) motor category.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Prometheus (2022-2023)
Mission Result: TBD
Design Phase: August 2022 – January 2023
Apogee: TBD (predicted 10,000 ft)
Motor: SRAD N-Class Solid Propellant Motor
Airframe: 4” Fiberglass
Top Speed: TBD
Payload: Refrigeration System
Icarus Re-Launch (Fall 2022)
Mission Result: Successful Launch and Recovery
Design Phase: August 2022 – November 2022
Apogee: 11,200 ft
Motor: Aerotech M2500
Airframe: 5” Fiberglass
Top Speed: 1154 ft/s
Purpose: To verify our previous design and test new components.
Frankenstein (Fall 2022)
Mission Result: Successful Launch and Recovery
Design Phase: August 2022 – November 2022
Apogee: 6,000 ft
Motor: Aerotech L2500
Airframe: 6” Blue Tube
Top Speed: 1024 ft/s
Purpose: To provide experience to new team members.
PAST PROJECTS
Icarus (2021-2022)
Mission Result: CATO due to COTS motor malfunction
Design Phase: December 2021 – April 2022
Apogee: N/A
Motor: Aerotech M2500
Airframe: 5” Fiberglass
Top Speed: N/A
Payload: Onboard dual-camera video transmission
SUBTEAMS
Structures
The PSP-SA Structures Team designs and tests student-built rocket components. This team is focused on the research and design of the airframe, fins, and nose cone. This year, they are responsible for designing the inner layout of rocket components and conducting analyses to verify the design.
Avionics & Recovery
The Avionics and Recovery Team dedicates its time to the programming, fabrication, and design of all flight computers and sensor components in addition to the testing of rocket recovery systems. They work closely with the other teams to integrate all data necessary for a successful flight. This year, they will be designing and testing their own flight computer as well.
Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics Team is focused on developing an experimental nose cone concept and evaluating its effects on the performance of the rocket. Furthermore, they are concerned with the analysis of the overall aerodynamic capability of the project.
Payload
The Payload Team’s main objective is to design a payload to meet all of the competition requirements. This year, the payload team is developing an innovative experimental payload system.
Manufacturing
The PSP-SA Manufacturing Team works closely with the Structures Team to fabricate SRAD components. The team provides consulting on the manufacturability of prospective components. In addition, they work in the Bechtel Innovation and Design Center to machine complex rocket parts.
Propulsion
The Propulsion Team is dedicated to the research and design of a solid propellant rocket motor. The team is formulating their own propellant and using the facilities at Zucrow Labs to validate their concept.
