STRUCTURES

The Structures subteam is responsible for all primary structural elements on solid motor rockets and all non-fluid system elements on liquid engine rockets. Essentially, we are responsible for any component that can be seen from the outside of the rocket, such as the fins, nosecone, and airframe, or any component primarily designed to carry rocket loads, such as couplers, spars, and bulkheads. A typical design process will include destructive tests, prototyping, design reviews, and plenty of manufacturing. Structures team makes almost all of our components on campus, and as such structures members can expect to work heavily with composite materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass alongside aluminum and some 3D-printed plastics. Structures is a great group for students looking to learn about various manufacturing and testing processes to make, break, and improve what we bring forward as a team. While not initially required, Structures members should gain a firm understanding of material properties, failure mechanics, and manufacturing processes for composite and metal components. Skills such as CAD, MATLAB/Python, Finite Element Analysis, and understanding the Barrowman Rocket Equations are appreciated for new members.

PROPULSION

The Propulsion team is responsible for designing, analyzing, manufacturing, testing, and integrating all systems needed to make the rocket move, including the engine, fluid systems, and ground support equipment. Many of the propulsion team’s systems are centered around controlling high pressure, high-volatility, fluids. Other propulsion projects focus on critical systems needed in order to get the rocket off the launch pad, including ignition, main propellant valve actuation, propellant tanks, and engine test stand integration. This year we are aiming to increase our on-campus testing capabilities, by conducting component level tests such as injector cold flows, ignitor characterization burns, and main valve actuation tests. Due to the potentially dangerous nature of our work, we expect all existing and incoming members to be responsible, attentive to detail, and dedicated to the safety of themselves and their peers. There is no required prerequisite knowledge to join our team, however it is helpful if you are familiar with Computer Aided Design, fluid systems, and general propulsion system architectures.

The Solid Propulsion sub-team is developing SARP's first Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) solid propulsion system in years, aiming to use our O-class motor, Purple Thunder, for SARP's IREC 2026 rocket. This project involves all aspects of solid propulsion, from formulating, mixing, and casting our original Purple Lightning propellant to the in-house design and manufacturing of all motor hardware, excluding only phenolic liners, using varying machine shop equipment. We test everything from small grains to full motors on our dedicated stand, collecting crucial pressure and thrust data, while also performing coupon and hydrostatic tests on our hardware components. While navigating challenges like program approvals and campus access, our team loves solving multidisciplinary engineering problems, applying software like Solidworks, OpenRocket, and OpenMotor and contributing to the collective knowledge of solid propulsion through independent research and documentation. We truly enjoy the "why" behind motor behavior and take immense pride in our contributions to SARP's mission.

AVIONICS

The Avionics team is responsible for designing, manufacturing, and integrating all electronic systems on and offboard the rocket. This includes the flight computer, any propellant or engine control, and any ground support equipment necessary. Avionics designs PCBs and control circuits, manufactures the boards, and creates the harnessing and software required to bring it all together. We work closely with nearly all other subteams, from Propulsion integration with sensors and actuation control to Structure’s help designing the Avionics bay to Payload and Recovery communication and data transfer. Valuable skills on Avionics would be experience working with electronics, either physical or with hardware (Raspberry Pi, Arduino, etc.) and/or experience working with electronics design programs like Altium. However, it is possible to come in with no skills and still get a lot out of your experience as long as you are willing to learn and work hard. Other skills could include experience working in FOD-controlled environments, attention to detail, and a willingness to work independently.

RECOVERY

This subteam is responsible for developing a system for creating a safe descent for the rocket, minimizing the damage caused by impact with the ground during landing. This subteam will be responsible for developing the most intense loading on the rocket during the inflation of the main parachute and the rapid deceleration of the rocket. Team members will be working with energetics and explosives, parachutes, avionics systems, mechanical separation systems, ultra-light fabrics, and high-strength lines. Upcoming projects include exploring and developing alternatives to black powder based pressurization and separation, simplified parachute deployment and rigging, parachute reefing, parachute deployment and inflation testing, parachute opening shock force and loading mitigation, and integrating with SARP’s experimental parachute steering system. Appreciated skills and experience for new members includes metal machining, working with synthetic rope, and familiarity with electrical systems.

PAYLOAD

The Payload subteam is responsible for developing a scientific tool, sensor package, or engineering showcase that can fit inside the rocket and perform a task that is typically independent of the rocket's launch/recovery systems. For this coming year, our payload projects are continuing to improve the team's Autonomous Recovery Experimental System (ARES) which guides the rocket to a pre-programmed location, developing and utilizing an airbrake system to increase apogee accuracy, and various camera systems across both rockets. The Payload team is great for mechanical, aerospace, computer science, and electrical engineering students with a variety of unique challenges across the projects. Payload is an ideal team for students interested in working across disciplines including mechanical design, controls, structural analysis, manufacturing, programming, aerodynamics, sensors, and PCB design, among others. The payload team is split into three project teams: mechanical systems, testing, and controls and electronics. Expected skills include but are not limited to CAD, Matlab, 3D printing, manufacturing, and Ansys/FEA for mechanical and testing OR programming (proficient at least one language) and general electronics knowledge (circuitry, bread boards, ICS, etc) for electrical.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing facilitates the physical implementation of the parts designed by each subteam through a series of software and machine shop trainings. Some of the Manufacturing team’s responsibilities include approving finalized engineering drawings, assisting design subteams in the production of their test articles and flight hardware, as well as tackling the more complex machining tasks with advanced manufacturing techniques.

BUSINESS

The business team is responsible for coordinating outreach with sponsors to help fund our projects, capturing and creating photos/videos/graphics for our social media platforms (instagram, our website, twitter, etc.), keeping track of SARP’s purchases/accounting, leading fundraisers, planning events, and creating and selling merchandise. Team members are expected to work/collaborate on gaining sponsors and funding, producing content, planning events, and do all the behind the scenes work that turns our rocket from sketches to tangible reality. Expected skills vary depending on the project(s), including but not limited to website development, photography/videography, graphic design, communication, and finance/accounting.