TEAM

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. The 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 Liquid 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 O-class Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) solid propulsion system in years, shooting for the 30k SRAD category at IREC 2027. The Solid Propulsion sub-team uses a custom propellant named Purple Lightning, a propellant designed, manufactured and tested by the students in SARP. This sub-team will also be designing, manufacturing and testing all motor hardware, making use of the University machine shops and lab spaces. Other projects include characterization tests of Purple Lightning, both to further our understanding of the propellant and to refine testing procedures and data collection. Students utilize common engineering tools such SolidWorks, along with specialized simulation tools like OpenMotor and OpenRocket. This year, the team is also building trade studies and system requirements, two project management tools used in industry. It's not just about building an awesome motor, it's about learning and understanding motor behavior and the physics of rocketry. It is also about building an awesome motor though, and we're eager to do our part to fulfill SARP's mission.

Avionics

The Avionics team is responsible for designing, manufacturing, and integrating the flight computer onboard the rocket, and ground related electronic infrastructure to support launch. This includes launch controllers, data collection devices, and telemetry systems to talk to the flight computer. 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 integrating with propulsion to read sensors and operate actuators to receiving structure's help designing the avionics bay. Valuable skills on avionics would be experience working with electronics, either software or hardware. Special bonus if you have Altium (or other PCB design), or embedded systems programming experience. 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 SARPs 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 airbrakes system to improve our rocket's apogee control, developing a deployable system to collect weather data upon descent, completing a modular live telemetry, and creating a recorded video system.

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, sponsor retention, 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.