Tufts Rocketry is a student-led organization dedicated to designing, building, and launching high-power team and personal rockets. In 2024, SEDS competed for the first time at the prestigious Spaceport America Cup in Las Cruces, New Mexico, placing 18th out of 68 teams in the 10k COTS category. As a member of the Mechanical Team, I helped design and manufacture the thrust plate, payload, avionics bay, and sled for our 12-foot SRAD solid-fuel rocket, CARM, and troubleshoot all components through FEA software, simulations, and test launches. We are currently designing a more efficient and improved 10-foot rocket, Hodge, for official competition in the Spaceport America Cup in June 2025.

In addition, I also built a personal custom rocket. This fall, I set out to achieve my NAR L1 High Power Rocket Certification. During the design, I selected an H163 Cesaroni motor due to its reliability and after hearing numerous cautionary tales from my teammates about other motors. I used OpenRocket for the design and simulations, modeled the fin assembly and nose cone in Onshape, fabricated the fin assembly with a laser cutter, and created the nose cone using a 3D printer. Initially, the nose cone was too small for the body tube. This would likely cause the rocket to separate prematurely during launch. Instead of printing an entirely new one, I wrapped it in duct tape until it fit snugly inside the tube. I used an altimeter to gather flight data and a Jolly Logic chute release to bundle the parachute. On launch day, we woke up at 4 a.m. and drove three hours to St. Albans, Vermont. It was a brisk day with practically no wind. The launch was a success! I am currently working on achieving my L2 Certification this spring.

• SEDS Website