{"id":63836,"date":"2024-11-18T08:18:12","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T13:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=63836"},"modified":"2024-11-20T07:43:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T12:43:54","slug":"launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/11\/launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Launch point: Rocket Mocs aim high in NASA competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Rocket

Rocket Mocs Faculty Advisor Trevor Elliott, left, consults with Eli Welch, team lead Nathan Gastelum and Addi Whittemore during a Nov. 15 rocket build outside the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Rocket Mocs have plans to ascend to new heights.<\/p>\n

The team, comprised of junior and senior mechanical engineering students in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS), has been accepted into the 2025 Student Launch Challenge\u2014an annual competition sponsored by NASA\u2014for the seventh consecutive year.<\/p>\n

The Rocket Mocs are one of 71 teams from across the U.S. participating in the competition. The nine-month-long challenge will culminate with on-site launch events beginning in spring 2025. Final launches are scheduled for May 3 at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama, located just north of NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.<\/p>\n

==============================================================<\/p>\n

Follow the Rocket Mocs (@utcrocketmocs<\/strong>) on Instagram and Facebook (UTC NASA USLI Rocket Mocs<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

==============================================================<\/p>\n

On Nov. 15, the Rocket Mocs began their journey with a rocket-building event in the CECS breezeway. The 10-member team was joined by students in the UTC Rocketry Club in building certification rockets.<\/p>\n

The team lead is senior Nathan Gastelum, a native of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to show what we can do,\u201d Gastelum said. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot of work, but it\u2019s also an incredible experience to design something, build it with your team and see it take flight.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rocket build, he said, is the initial step.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor our senior capstone project, we\u2019re proving we can build and recover rockets as part of the certification process,\u201d Gastelum explained. \u201cThis is just the first phase as we move toward designing our full-scale rocket for the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NASA Student Launch Challenge requires teams to design, build and launch a rocket while adhering to a complex set of requirements.<\/p>\n

Each year, NASA updates the university payload challenge to reflect current scientific and exploration missions. The 2025 payload challenge takes its cues from NASA\u2019s Artemis missions, which aim to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon.<\/p>\n

Teams are tasked with integrating STEMnauts\u2014non-living objects representing astronauts\u2014into their rockets. The STEMnauts must relay real-time data to mission control, simulating communication systems critical for lunar exploration.<\/p>\n

\"Rocket

Rocket Mocs Holland Luttrell, left, and Hafsa Wasim<\/p><\/div>\n

In addition to the engineering and science objectives of the challenge, a vital component of the NASA challenge is public engagement\u2014a responsibility overseen by Rocket Mocs member Holland Luttrell.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to make STEM accessible to people of all ages,\u201d said Luttrell, a native of Chattanooga. \u201cWe\u2019re tasked with engaging 250 individuals through various STEM initiatives, and it\u2019s rewarding to share the excitement of rocketry with the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of work being a part of the team because NASA has a lot of requirements\u2014but it\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s fun. It\u2019s rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luttrell initially came to UTC to study cybersecurity because \u201cI\u2019ve just always liked math and sciences,\u201d but switched to mechanical engineering after her first semester.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been in mechanical since then and I really like it, but this is actually my first time building a rocket,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Gastelum and Luttrell are joined on the 10-member Rocket Mocs team by Tyler Cooper, Aaron Forsha, Andrew Hale, Graham Higgs, Kevin Sosa, Ian Tidwell, Hafsa Wasim and Eli Welch.<\/p>\n

==============================================================<\/p>\n

Click here to learn more about the Rocket Mocs<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

==============================================================<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s team lead, Rett Stockman, and fellow May 2024 graduate Connor Mackey now work as graduate students with UC Foundation Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Trevor Elliott.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things I\u2019m doing is helping with software issues,\u201d Stockman explained. \u201cWe use different simulation software to design the rockets, test them, calculate flight paths and do stuff like that\u2014and there\u2019s a learning curve to it. Most people who haven\u2019t done rockets have never used it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stockman compared himself to a coach on the sidelines in supporting the group in a mentorship role.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching this year\u2019s team start from scratch and come up with new designs and ideas is really exciting,\u201d Stockman said. \u201cHaving been in their shoes, I understand the challenges they\u2019re facing, but I\u2019m here to offer guidance when they need it\u2014whether that\u2019s with simulations, software or general problem-solving.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rocket Mocs possess an impressive legacy. In 2018, they achieved the top ranking in the nation by launching a rocket to an altitude of 11,563 feet, securing victory in the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Rocketry Contest.<\/p>\n

In 2020, the team set a world record by launching a rocket to an altitude of 17,267 feet\u2014equivalent to 3.3 miles. This achievement was officially verified by the Tripoli Rocketry Association, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing amateur rocketry.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Rocket Mocs team won the NASA Student Launch Initiative 3D Printing Award<\/a>\u00a0in a competition involving 49 other university teams nationwide. According to the program\u2019s website, the award goes to \u201cthe student team with the best consideration, design and implementation in regard to 3D printing of rocket and payload.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s team has incredible talent and the largest group we\u2019ve ever had,\u201d said Elliott, the Rocket Mocs\u2019 faculty advisor. \u201cLast year\u2019s team set a high bar with their success, but I\u2019m confident this group has the skills and resources to meet that challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/h4>\n

Visit UTC<\/a><\/p>\n

UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science<\/a><\/p>\n

Rocket Mocs<\/a><\/p>\n

How to apply<\/a><\/p>\n

Rocket build photo gallery by Angela Foster<\/h4>\n
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The Rocket Mocs have plans to ascend to new heights. The team, comprised of junior and senior mechanical engineering students in the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been accepted into the 2025 Student Launch Challenge\u2014an annual competition sponsored by NASA\u2014for the seventh consecutive year.<\/p>\n

Continue Reading <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1493,"featured_media":63840,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_slider":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_featurette":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12740,70,123864,59,122313,7712,52,8244,64,48007,661],"tags":[124970,124975,119555,124976,122564,123827,123826,124969,124966,124972,124967,124061,124968,123828,124776,930,124971,123829,123483,70328,124974,934,124965,124973,124977],"class_list":{"0":"post-63836","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-academics","8":"category-advancement-and-alumni","9":"category-college-of-engineering-and-computer-science","10":"category-experiential-learning","11":"category-faculty-and-staff","12":"category-graduate-school","13":"category-honors-and-awards","14":"category-mechanical-engineering","15":"category-news","16":"category-research-academics","17":"category-students","18":"tag-aaron-forsha","19":"tag-addi-whittemore","20":"tag-andrew-hale","21":"tag-caleb-sutton","22":"tag-connor-mackey","23":"tag-creating-the-mocs-experience","24":"tag-cultivating-a-culture-of-innovation","25":"tag-eli-welch","26":"tag-graham-higgs","27":"tag-hafsa-wasim","28":"tag-holland-luttrell","29":"tag-ian-tidwell","30":"tag-kevin-sosa","31":"tag-leveraging-our-special-place-as-chattanoogas-university","32":"tag-mocs-learn-mocs-do-mocs-lead","33":"tag-nasa","34":"tag-nathan-gastelum","35":"tag-operating-with-excellence","36":"tag-rett-stockman","37":"tag-rocket-mocs","38":"tag-student-launch-challenge","39":"tag-trevor-elliott","40":"tag-tyler-cooper","41":"tag-university-student-launch-initiative","42":"tag-vijayalakshmi-k-kumarasamy","43":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nLaunch point: Rocket Mocs aim high in NASA competition | UTC News Archive: Jul 2007 - Oct 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Rocket Mocs have plans to ascend to new heights. 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The team, comprised of junior and senior mechanical engineering students in the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been accepted into the 2025 Student Launch Challenge\u2014an annual competition sponsored by NASA\u2014for the seventh consecutive year.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/11\/launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UTC News Archive: Jul 2007 - Oct 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UTChattanooga\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-11-18T13:18:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-20T12:43:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2024\/11\/Rocket-Mocs-24-1478-FEATURE2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1419\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Chuck Wasserstrom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@UTChattanooga\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@UTChattanooga\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Chuck Wasserstrom\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogarchive.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogarchive.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Chuck Wasserstrom\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogarchive.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ba12ddef664be78c31809fda10eae4e5\"},\"headline\":\"Launch point: Rocket Mocs aim high in NASA competition\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-11-18T13:18:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-20T12:43:54+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogarchive.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":946,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogarchive.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/launch-point-rocket-mocs-aim-high-in-nasa-competition\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogarchive.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/files\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/Rocket-Mocs-24-1478-FEATURE2.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Aaron Forsha\",\"Addi Whittemore\",\"Andrew Hale\",\"Caleb Sutton\",\"Connor Mackey\",\"Creating the Mocs Experience\",\"Cultivating a Culture of Innovation\",\"Eli Welch\",\"Graham Higgs\",\"Hafsa Wasim\",\"Holland Luttrell\",\"Ian Tidwell\",\"Kevin Sosa\",\"Leveraging Our Special Place as Chattanooga\u2019s University\",\"Mocs Learn Mocs Do Mocs Lead\",\"NASA\",\"Nathan Gastelum\",\"Operating with Excellence\",\"Rett Stockman\",\"Rocket Mocs\",\"Student Launch Challenge\",\"Trevor Elliott\",\"Tyler Cooper\",\"University Student Launch Initiative\",\"Vijayalakshmi K. 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