About us

Our team is selectively formed every year with one goal in mind - design, analyze, test, and build engineering projects that compete in a wide selection of competitions. This includes, but is not limited to, the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), hosted by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) and the Collegiate Propulsive Lander Challenge (CPLC). We divide our workload into several subteams depending on the competition and project to distribute the responsibilities of assembling complex systems. Although funded in part by the university, we require assistance from other sponsors in order to create the parts required for our rockets. Unlike most rocketry teams, we craft everything down to the outer shell of the rocket from our very own design labs at Texas A&M University. Our members are dedicated, and each student is expected to spend roughly 20 hours per week on activities related to the organization.

Subteams

The Sounding Rocketry Team emphasizes both student leadership and self-instruction in each of its eight student-led subdivisions: Valor, Avionics, Finance, Media, Dynamics, Propulsion, Structures, Ground Support Engineering, and Recovery. The subteams are designed such that each student has a vital role in the overall success of the project. Each student is in control of and responsible for the design and construction of a sustainable rocket.
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​Valor
  • The Valor team consists of 2 leads and general members responsible for executing a requirement-driven rocket development effort centered on technical rigor, system performance, and design justification. Valor operates around a defined vehicle and contract-style set of mission requirements, with members expected to translate high-level objectives into defensible engineering decisions through disciplined analysis, iteration, and review. Valor does not require an interview for admission.
  • Valor emphasizes first-principles design, subsystem architecture, and cross-functional technical execution. Members work across structures, propulsion, avionics, recovery, operations, and system integration to develop complete design solutions, while also having the ability to concentrate in a specific discipline as projects mature. A core part of Valor is internal technical competition, where separate groups may pursue different design approaches to the same requirement set and defend their solutions based on performance, efficiency, manufacturability, and overall system merit.
  • Valor is built around the same standards of quality, accountability, and engineering depth expected across major SRT projects. Members will engage in hand calculations, trade studies, CAD, simulation, manufacturing, testing, and formal technical presentations through reviews such as PDR and CDR. Familiarity with tools such as SolidWorks, ANSYS, STAR-CCM+, Altium, and related engineering workflows is valuable, but the defining expectation is the ability to solve hard problems with technical depth and professional execution.
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​Avionics
  • The Avionics subteam consists of a manager and 8–10 members who develop the vehicle's telemetry, power, control, and communication systems. Avionics members work at the intersection of hardware and software to enhance our rockets with live video feeds, innovative payloads, and other unique capabilities.
  • This subteam’s work requires familiarity with electronics and programming. Experience with circuit design, PCB design, radio frequency (RF) engineering, and C/C++ programming is highly valuable. Other desired skills include Ansys simulation with HFSS/Icepak, general software engineering, 3D graphics, and soldering.
  • Avionics members will gain experience creating hardware and software systems that can function correctly in the harsh environment of a rocket launch. Members should display strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and dedication to their work.
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​Business - Finance & Media
  • Each Business subteam consists of a manager and 5-7 general members, tasked with the following: securing the financial future of the team, maintaining detailed accounting records, and marketing the achievements and goals of the organization.
  • This team is responsible for communication with sponsors, donors, faculty, as well as team morale and benefits. The business subteam will also be responsible for funding and resource procurement, meaning daily responsibilities of maintaining a budget and the acquisition of parts and funds for the team. Members will follow other subteams closely, documenting their technical work and relaying it to the public.
  • Skills in photography, graphic design, accounting, and marketing are desired for this team. This subteam performs critical operations that help fund and promote the Sounding Rocketry Team. Selected members must demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial mindset and personal drive.
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​Dynamics
  • The Dynamics subteam consists of a manager and 10-12 general members who will be tasked with modeling the trajectory, aerodynamic properties, and stability characteristics of the rocket. Dynamics members will aeroshape the vehicle and produce simulations to demonstrate stable flight, ultimately meeting the objectives of the rocket. This includes exterior design optimization, transient thermal and dynamic stability simulation, aeroelastic phenomena mitigation, GNC, and the development of a 6DOF flight model.
  • Dynamics members are responsible for preliminary airframe design, utilizing analysis tools such as OpenRocket, RASAero II, ANSYS, and STAR-CCM+, and maintaining the codebase for flight prediction and post-flight analysis. Members will be expected to consider all factors of a design problem, thoroughly document their work, and be detail-oriented while maintaining a high-level systems engineering mindset by communicating and integrating with all other subteams. Members will be trained with CFD and FEA techniques and are expected to do extensive research for learning and justification of results.
  • Valuable experience for dynamics members includes a strong understanding of basic aerodynamic concepts, CFD, FEA, CAD, programming (Matlab/Simulink, C++, Python), GNC, strong communication skills, and a strong work ethic.
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​Ground Support Engineering
  • The Ground Support Engineering (GSE) subteam consists of a manager and 6-8 members whose role is to design control systems, data acquisition systems, and ground support software to support testing and operation of rocket systems. This includes data acquisition and controls for pad fluid systems, rocket engines during testing, and anything in between.
  • The design of ground support software that facilitates real-time data acquisition, telemetry, and controls is an integral part of GSE. Without ground software, the visualization of data from DAQ systems' communication to control systems cannot be operated in real time, a requirement for test operations.
  • This subteam will have the responsibility of maintaining and improving testing infrastructure such as the static test cell and the vertical launch tower. This subteam will also create and update test scripts and operations.
  • ​Subteam members will be expected to become proficient in data acquisition, signal processing, electronics (PCB design), microcontrollers (Arduino), networking communication (Ethernet TCP, UDP, MODBUS), and programming (C++, Python). A respect for procedural testing, working with both mechanical and electrical systems, and a large time commitment will be expected from all subteam members.
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​Propulsion
  • The Propulsion subteam consists of a manager and 8-10 members who are tasked with developing, manufacturing, and characterizing robust and efficient hybrid propulsion systems. Emphasis will be placed on research into the mechanics of a hybrid engine and its sub-systems in order to optimize engine characteristics (thrust, burn time, mass flow rates, regression, etc.) and accurately predict performance through computational models.
  • Members must be familiar with all components of a hybrid propulsion system (oxidizer tank, plumbing assembly, throttling system, injector plate, combustion chamber, nozzle) and understand how these parts interact with one another. A background in chemistry, thermodynamics, and high speed aerodynamics is necessary, and experience with MATLAB, SolidWorks, and CFD is preferred. Additionally, prior machining experience is beneficial.
  • Propulsion subteam members will be expected to contribute a significant amount of time to research, fabrication, and testing while learning new concepts and skills quickly regardless of prior exposure.
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​Structures
  • The Structures subteam consists of a manager and 8-10 members. The role of the Structures team is to design, analyze, fabricate, and test all structural components of the rocket and associated infrastructure. Structures members design and fabricate all structural airframe components, perform structural analysis/optimization, and develop infrastructure for manufacturing and launch support for the team.
  • Structures members are responsible for preliminary airframe design and producing and maintaining all CAD for airframe componentry. Members will work in the fabrication of componentry using composite materials, metals, and plastics. Members will be trained in subtractive manufacturing, welding, and composite manufacturing. Members will develop, implement, and evaluate finite element models for the design optimization of structural components.
  • Valuable experience for structures members includes manufacturing (subtractive, welding, additive, etc.), mechanical design, finite element analysis, and CAD.

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Recovery
  • The Recovery subteam consists of a manager and 5-6 members whose role is to ensure the full recovery of a rocket through rigorous testing and analysis of parachutes, recovery computers, and miscellaneous flight hardware. Conducts research and development for continuous recovery system improvements.
  • The Recovery subteam is responsible for designing, building, integrating, and testing the recovery system. The recovery system comprises a recovery bay (which includes electronics such as altimeters, GPS, and sometimes cameras), a method of separation and retention, and parachutes.
  • Recovery subteam members will learn how to conduct recovery system tests, work with various flight computers, spec hardware through force calculations, and troubleshoot electronic systems. 
  • Recovery subteam members are expected to be proficient in CAD (preferably Solidworks) and are encouraged to have their HPR Level 1 certification through Tripoli before joining the team. Experience with soldering, structural analysis, electronics wiring, and a basic understanding of system integration is desired but not required.
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