HISTORY
Over the course of nine years, the Sounding Rocketry Team (SRT) has designed, built, and tested five different flight-ready rockets. Our airframes have been designed from the start to be utilized with hybrid engine systems created by the team. Additionally, each rocket is tested using standardized launch procedures developed by SRT members. The team engages in rigorous design and testing processes to ensure these rockets are durable, efficient, and safe to operate as well as meet the performance specifications outlined by overall team goals.
Scroll down to learn more about our rockets, Telemachus, Lazarus, Theseus, Daedalus, Phoenix, and Valor.
Scroll down to learn more about our rockets, Telemachus, Lazarus, Theseus, Daedalus, Phoenix, and Valor.
Telemachus
Telemachus Launch Vehicle
Telemachus is the sixth vehicle built by SRT. Telemachus proudly won the 2024 Spaceport America Cup’s Live Telemetry Challenge and took home 10th Overall, 5th in the USA, and 1st in Texas. With an airframe composed of half fiberglass and half carbon fiber, Telemachus is designed for RF Transparency with its SAR imaging payload. In addition to its technical goals, Telemachus is built for high structural quality with a reinforced aft section designed to reduce zippering. The first iteration of this vehicle experienced a motor CATO in May 2024. The launch vehicle was reconstructed for competition over the summer of 2024 and experienced a nominal launch in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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Design Team: SRT-11 (2023-2024)
Build Team: SRT-11 (2023-2024) Modified: N/A |
Number of Flights: 2
Maximum Altitude Achieved: 10,458 ft. AGL Propulsion: Loki Research M-3464-LB |
Lazarus
Lazarus Launch Vehicle
Lazarus is the fifth vehicle built by SRT. It is the first rocket SRT designed that is optimized for 30,000 ft flight. Its main body structure is made of high strength carbon fiber coupled by aluminum bulkheads. Radio permitting sections such as the electronics bay are constructed with fiberglass. The fins are also designed to have an advanced honeycomb core structure embedded into the airframe. During a nominal 30k flight, the expected peak Mach number for this vehicle, paired with the Vulcan engine, is Mach 1.4.
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Design Team: SRT-7 (2019-2020)
Build Team: SRT-7 (2019-2020), SRT-8 (2020-2021), SRT-9 (2021-2022) Modified: SRT-9 (2021-2022) |
Number of Flights: 1
Maximum Altitude Achieved: 7947 ft. AGL Propulsion: NP-850 Vulcan |
Theseus
Theseus Launch Vehicle
Theseus was the fourth vehicle built by SRT. This vehicle was designed to be used as an updated platform for the team. The rocket features several new robust additions and modifications over the Daedalus rocket. This system was designed and built by SRT-5. The rocket is powered by the custom-built hybrid engine, Nova.
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Design Team: SRT-5 (2017-2018)
Build Team: SRT-5 (2017-2018) Modified: SRT-6 (2018-2019) |
Number of Flights: 1
Maximum Altitude Achieved: 523 ft. AGL Propulsion: NP-915 Nova [Hybrid] |
Daedalus
Daedalus Launch Vehicle
Daedalus was the third vehicle built by SRT. Following the past two years’ lead, the vehicle was designed and built in two 15-week semesters. With an estimated 15,000 man-hours (at an average of 20 hours per week per member) and total funding of around $10,000, this vehicle was designed to be used as a platform for the team for the next several years. The rocket features an all composite air-frame with aluminum bulkheads. From its inception, Daedalus was built to be powered by both high-thrust solid motors and SRT’s custom-built hybrid engine platforms. This rocket is a culmination of three years' experience.
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Design Team: SRT-3 (2015-2016)
Build Team: SRT-3 (2015-2016) Modified: SRT-4 (2016-2017) SRT-5 (2017-2018) |
Number of Flights: 1
Maximum Altitude Achieved: 8,777 ft AGL Propulsion: NP-915 Icarus II [Hybrid] M-O Class Solid [98 mm] |
Phoenix
Phoenix Launch Vehicle
Phoenix was the second vehicle built by SRT. Designed, built, and flown in two 15-week semesters, this system has achieved two test flights in its solid retrofitted configuration. Initially designed for flight with a hybrid engine, the design was later adapted to fly with low-thrust solid motors. Phoenix featured a distinctive poly-carbonate electronics bay along with a custom-wound carbon fiber body, aluminum bulkheads, and 3D-printed ULTEM 9085 tailcone (printed and donated by Stratasys).
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Design Team: SRT-2 (2016-2017)
Build Team: SRT-2 (2016-2017) Modified: N/A |
Number of Flights: 2
Maximum Altitude Achieved: 4,750 ft AGL Propulsion: LN-400 Helios I [Hybrid] LN Class Solid [75mm] |
Valor
Valor Launch Vehicle
Valor was the first rocket ever built by SRT. As the pioneering design, Valor has been the foundation for many of proceeding designs. Setting the precedent for subsequent timelines, this rocket was designed and built in two 15-week semesters. Valor featured a custom-wound carbon fiber body, aluminum bulkheads, and a 3D-printed GPS containment module housed in the nosecone tip for optimal connectivity.
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Design Team: SRT-1 (2013-2014)
Build Team: SRT-1 (2013-2014) Modified: N/A |
Number of Flights: 0
Maximum Altitude Achieved: N/A Propulsion: LN-350 Alpha I [Hybrid] |
