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ABOUT US
Clemson University Rocket Engineering is a student-run organization dedicated to the advancement of extra-curricular aerospace research at Clemson. Our mission is to give students an outlet to grow, learn, research, and experiment in hands-on ways that will help prepare them for their future careers. We sponsor projects ranging from orbital payloads to high power rockets, and are always looking for the next challenge.
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Founded in 2016, the team initially aimed to serve a growing population of engineering students with no outlet at the time for their aerospace enthusiasm. Starting with twelve working members, the team went on to build and successfully enter their rocket in the inaugural 2017 Spaceport America Cup, in Truth or Consequences, NM.
Today, the club has over 50 working members from a variety of majors, has made two successful Spaceport Cup appearances with three Level 3 rocket launches to date, has partnered with a growing number of regional corporate sponsors, and will launch a rocket in the 30,000 foot category at the 2019 Spaceport America Cup. We are also working with NASA and the SC Space Grant Consortium to launch a payload on a Terrier Rocket from Wallops Launch Facility that will serve as a prototype for an orbital payload in 2020.
Officers & Managers
Clemson Rocket Engineering is a fully student-run organization dedicated to the advancement of extra-curricular aerospace research at Clemson. Our mission is to give students an outlet to grow, learn, research, and experiment in hands-on ways that will help prepare them for their future careers. We sponsor projects ranging from orbital class payloads to high power rockets, and are always looking for the next challenge.
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Founded in 2016, the team initially aimed to serve a growing population of engineering students with no outlet at the time for their aerospace enthusiasm. Starting with twelve working members, the team went on to build and successfully enter their rocket in the inaugural 2017 Spaceport America Cup, in Truth or Consequences, NM.
Today, the club has over 75 working members from a variety of majors, has made two successful Spaceport Cup appearances with three Level 3 rocket launches to date, has partnered with a growing number of regional corporate sponsors, and will launch a rocket in the 10,000 foot category at the 2023 Spaceport America Cup.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
President
Co-Vice President
Co-Vice President / Community Outreach Manager
Chief Engineer
Treasurer
Safety Manager
Subteam Leads
Payload Lead
Co-Structures Lead
Co-Structures Lead
Co-Flight Dynamics Lead
Co-Flight Dynamics Lead
Co-Avionics Lead
Co-Avionics Lead
IR&D Active Aero Lead
SUBTEAMS
While we work together to achieve our goals and create exciting aerospace solutions, our members work primarily in five subteams, each focused on one area of aerospace.
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Avionics
The Avionics team designs and builds custom hardware and software that work together to act as a flight computer for our rockets. Members will develop a strong background creating and working with embedded systems, developing custom circuit boards, making programmable radio telemetry systems, and working with microcontrollers. Additionally, members will write all of the software that runs on the flight computers in C++, Java, and more. Avionics members often work on the small satellite projects as well.
Flight Dynamics
Flight Dynamics is responsible for the external design of the rocket. Flight develops trajectory simulations and works in CFD (computational fluid dynamics) to calculate loads on the rocket during flight and predict apogee of the flight. Their results define the overall shape and constraints of the rocket design as it relates to aerodynamic stability. Members work heavily in Matlab and Ansys and utilize aerodynamic theory that goes beyond the classroom.
Payload
As the name implies, Payload designs, builds, and integrates the payload for the rocket. A payload is defined as the part of the rocket that is not structure, avionics, or propulsion elements. For the Spaceport America Cup, we build payloads that incorporate a scientific experiment as well as a more "fun" element. Payload members work in Solidworks, Matlab, C, and other software development programs. Payload is a very diverse subteam as they must work with elements of avionics as well as structures.
Student Research (IR&D)
To stay on the cutting edge of rocket technology, students lead Independent Research and Design (IR&D) teams. Past teams include liquid motor propulsion and active aero (active apogee control). We greatly support these teams through collaboration and funding to help their ideas contribute our high-power rocket.
Structures
The Structures team is responsible for designing the internal and external structural aspects of the rocket. They are also responsible for the integration of all other subteam's projects into one unit. Structures deals heavily with composites and machining and spends a lot of time designing in Solidworks as well as using engineering design tools to create solutions to the unique problems found on the rocket.
Our Mission
Our mission is to grow and build upon the increasing interest in aerospace that is ever present in the Clemson student body so that any student, no matter their background or discipline, may feel welcome, nurture their passion, and leave the university with the skills needed to make a lasting impact in the Aerospace industry.
We are striving to strategically partner with experienced industry sponsors so that we can continue to improve our organization and make remarkable steps towards a permanent aerospace program at Clemson University.
FACULTY ADVISOR
