Rocketry

I spent the majority of my time in college building rockets with Illinois Tech Rocketry, a student rocket team where I grew from freshman working on solid propulsion to building some of the team’s most ambitious projects. I first joined as Propulsion Lead in my freshman year, working on developing custom solid rocket propellant and helping establish our team’s in-house motor capabilities. Over time, my focus expanded from propulsion into full vehicle development, where I helped build Talon I for IREC 2023, and I later transitioned into Research & Development Lead in my third year, focusing on the design and launch of high-altitude dual-stage rockets. 

In nearly three years, I have led the design, build, and launch of seven different dual-stage rockets, with one vehicle targeting 120,000 feet and Mach 3.3. These projects involved extensive aerodynamic, structural, stability, and thermal analysis to optimize vehicle performance, along with hands-on fabrication of composite components and integration of propulsion, structures, and avionics systems.

Since Spring 2022, I have led four consecutive IPRO courses, a project-based engineering course at Illinois Institute of Technology, each with over 50 students. In these courses, I teach the fundamentals of rocketry and guide students various hands-on projects. These classes emphasize leadership, creativity, teamwork, and hands-on engineering, with projects ranging from rocket design and flight computer development to composite manufacturing systems such as filament winders. In Spring 2023, my team of ten students earned Runner-Up (2nd Place) at Illinois Tech Innovation Day with our Custom Solid Propulsion Project.

In Spring 2024, I started the Pioneer Program, a long-term initiative aimed at designing and launching the first student-built rocket to the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. As the program lead, I oversee system integration, project management, and technical development across multiple subsystems.

Alongside my technical work, I also serve as Vice President of Illinois Tech Rocketry, where I focus on building both the technical and organizational foundation of the team. I run the team’s Training Program, mentor members working toward TRA certification rockets. On the operational side, I coordinate launch campaigns, manage outreach and the team’s public presence, and work with industry partners to secure over $6,500 in sponsorships and donations to support our projects.

2021-2022 Solid Propulsion

I joined Illinois Tech Rocketry in my freshman year as the Propulsion Lead, working on designing custom solid propellant and motor case for future R&D rockets. For the next 2 years, I worked on desining custom solid propellant formula with APCP, HTPB and motor grains with the goal of designing a long-burnt motor with 20s+ burn time. I also worked on designing motor test stand and motor hardware. During this time, I also helped with running ground testing for other rocket like Live Thrust Repeat and Big Red 1. 

Outside of that, I also got my Level 1 and Level 2 certification in same year.

Photo: LTR launch in Mojave, CA

2022-2023: Solid Propulsion and Talon I (IREC 10k)

In my second year, I expanded the goal to building 3-axis filament winder to make in-house carbon fiber motor case and fiberglass body tube. At the same time, I also worked on Talon I, ITR's first entry to 2023 Spaceport America Cup.

Besides, I ran rocketry workshop for first time, mentoring 8 club members to build Level 1 rockets.

Photo: Talon I's first test flight in Princeton IL

2023-2024: Mini-Red, Big Red 1, Centennial

Then in my third year, I transitioned to be R&D Lead, overseeing entire design, build and launch of dual-stages rocket, including avionics, structure, aerodynamics, propulsion. Around this time, I also picked up NOVA, custom flight computer project left by our alumni, working on writing firmware for flight computer and software for configuration and telemetry system. My first dual-stages project is Big Red 1, a dual-stage rocket designed for 2022 Spaceport America Cup, aiming to each 30,000ft. The team attempted to launch Big Red 1 in summer 2022 but failed due to avionics issue. I took over the project and spent 3 months fixing it. To test wiring and programming for dual-stages, I built Mini Red from Level 1 rockets, aiming to cut cost and test dual-stages configuration before risking it all on Big Red 1. Then in December 2023, Big Red 1 was launched from Mojave, CA, reaching 12,000ft. Even though sustainer failed to ignite due to structure design flaw, Big Red 1 paved the way for more dual-stages rocket to come.

In Spring 2024, I built Centennial, a dual-stages rocket aiming to reach 12,000ft and carrying 80 golf balls as an entry to Argonia Cup. In March 2024, Centennial was successfully launched from Argonia, KS with sustainer ignited and reached 10,240ft. 

Left to right: Mini-Red, Big Red 1, Centennial

In Jan 2026, I attempted to launch Big Red 1 again but the rocket still tilt immediately off the pad,hitting tilt lockout due to fin design flaw, proving the issue is more than just misaligned rail buttons. But I can now sleep well knowing that I gave it another shot and stop wondering if good rail buttons would save it (no it doesnt xD)

2024-2025: Big Red 2, Mini-P, Pioneer 1

Learning from Big Red 1, I built Big Red 2 with the attempt to redempt all issues/design flaws on Big Red 1 using same configuration, diameter, length, even smaller motors but twice the targeted altitude: 60,000ft. Unfortunately, due to logistic issues, we couldn't acquire the sustainer motor, leading to unstability issue on Big Red 2. 

In Fall 2025, I reattempted with Big Red 3. Big Red 3 was built with almost exact design of Big Red 2 with few changes to account for previously known stability issue. Big Red 3 is set to launch in 2026.

Besides Big Red rockets, I started pivoting toward step-down dual-stages rocket, starting with Mini-Pioneer 1. Mini-Pioneer is a 2-3in step-down dual-stages rocket aiming to reach 15,000ft. In April 2025, Mini-P 1 was launched in Indiana, reaching 3,000ft. Unfortunately, booster failed to separate, leading to harsh landing. 

Photo: Pioneer 1 Launch in Mojave, CA

2025-2026: Big Red 1, Big Red 3, Mini-P 2, Pioneer 2

In Fall 2024, I ran Training Program with over 50+ students where I taught fundamentals of rocketry (structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics) and mentoring them through building and launching a Level 1 certification rocket as a team. 

In progress