Bulldog Rocketry Conduct Motor Test in Preparation for Spaceport 2023

Credit to Bulldog Rocketry

The Bulldog Rocketry club held their biannual rocket motor test in November and began preparation for their second test this semester as they get ready for the 2023 Spaceport America Intercollegiate Rocket Competition in June. 

The motor test provides an opportunity for the club to test and adjust their competition motor, giving influential data on how to adjust their rocket for judging. Having opened up to the public more in comparison to previous years, this event also creates opportunities for the public to meet the team and witness their hard work.

Credit Spaceport America

Bulldog Rocketry qualified for this year’s Spaceport America Cup competition in November 2022. The competition invites more than 150 universities around the world to put their engineering skills to the test in southern New Mexico.

With successful showings in previous years, including third in their category and eighteenth overall in last year’s competition, Bulldog Rocketry spends their year building their rocket from the ground up. Everything from the outer structure to the rocket motor is crafted by the club, who take a lot of pride in the extent they go to in order to prepare for this summer showdown.

“I’d say around 90% of the rocket is student researched and designed,” club president Logan Iverson said.

Iverson notes that the Spaceport America Cup means not only validation of their rocket, but validation of the effort they put into the business-like atmosphere they build within their club.

Bulldog Rocketry, which started as a senior design project, promotes hands-on experience and application of engineering skills to students looking to join the group. Despite the experience opportunities, it is the collaboration and family-like culture that the club looks for its members to take away.

Credit to Bulldog Rocketry

“I don’t think that my college experience would have been the same without rocketry,” Iverson said.

Bulldog Rocketry meets every Tuesday at 5pm in ENGR 290. If you are interested in joining the club, you can find more information at their club website or by contacting club president Logan Iverson at ivers740@d.umn.edu.