PSP-SA competes annually
in the New Mexico
Spaceport America Cup.
PSPS, previously known as PSP Solids, is dedicated to manufacturing and launching a completely “Student Researched And Designed” (SRAD) rocket. The team competes annually at the Spaceport America Cup in New Mexico, the largest collegiate rocketry competition in the world. After completing two successful launches at competition, PSPS is looking to build on past accomplishments and failures.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Mission Result: Successful launch but unsuccessful recovery – 13th place in overall competition.
Design Phase: August 2023 – February 2024
Apogee: 10,058 ft
Motor: Loki M3000 COTS Solid Propellant Motor
Airframe: 4” – 6” Fiberglass transition
Top Speed: 1,013 ft/s
Payload: Experimental CubeSat
PAST PROJECTS
Prometheus (2022-2023)
Mission Result: Successful launch and recovery – 10th place in overall competition.
Design Phase: August 2022 – January 2023
Apogee: 10,327 ft
Motor: SRAD N-Class Solid Propellant Motor
Airframe: 4” Fiberglass
Top Speed: 839 ft/s
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.
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.
