News Summary
A group of nearly 100 students from the University of Southern California has set a historic milestone in amateur rocketry with their Aftershock II rocket, which reached an altitude of approximately 470,400 feet on October 20. This achievement surpasses the previous record and also marks the fastest speed attained by an amateur rocket. The Department’s innovative approach to rocketry exemplifies students’ commitment, teamwork, and dedication to advancing aerospace technology.
Los Angeles, CA – A group of nearly 100 students from the University of Southern California (USC) has achieved a historic milestone in amateur rocketry with the launch of their Aftershock II rocket, which reached an impressive altitude of approximately 470,400 feet (about 89 miles) on October 20. This flight not only sets a new record for the highest amateur space launch, surpassing the previous record of 385,800 feet set in 2004, but also outperformed it by approximately 80,000 feet.
In addition to achieving a new altitude record, the Aftershock II rocket attained a top speed of 3,602 mph (approximately 5,797 kph), breaking the previous record for the fastest speed achieved by an amateur rocket, which was set at 5,019 feet per second.
The successful launch took place in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, following a brief postponement due to concerns over a rainstorm. The team was able to delay the launch by just one day, allowing them to overcome potential challenges and ensure a successful flight. The rocket was equipped with a GPS tracking system to monitor its descent, which facilitated recovery post-mission.
Significance of Aftershock II
The launch of Aftershock II marks an important achievement for the USC Rocket Propulsion Lab (USCRPL), which was founded in 2005 and has nearly 20 years of experience in developing student-designed rockets. The lab first crossed the Kármán line—the recognized boundary of space—with its Traveler IV rocket in 2019, becoming the first student lab to reach this landmark.
The name “Aftershock II” indicates that this was not the first attempt at launching this model; a previous version failed during its ignition last year. The lab used this experience to enhance their design, resulting in significant improvements to their thermal protection system and custom-built avionics for this flight.
Team Effort and Future Goals
The achievement of Aftershock II underlines the collaborative efforts of students across various engineering disciplines at USC. This teamwork extended beyond just engineering; it included fundraising, safety management, and external communications, showcasing a holistic approach to rocketry.
Dean Yannis Yortsos emphasized that the technology for the rocket was entirely developed in-house by the students, a testament to their skills and the educational mission of the lab. The team now aims to pursue further advancements in rocket technology, with future goals that include the development of capabilities to carry research payloads and aspirations for higher altitudes that may require special permits.
Background Context
The USC Rocket Propulsion Lab has established a reputation for excellence, paving the way for students to prepare for leadership roles within the aerospace industry. The Aftershock II launch sets a new benchmark for both student and amateur rocketry, illustrating the lab’s commitment to innovation and research in the field.
The successful mission not only celebrates the achievements of the students involved but also highlights the growing capabilities of amateur rocketry initiatives. As the field continues to evolve, efforts like those from the USCRPL are instrumental in shaping the future of space exploration.
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