The Structures sub-team is responsible for the fabrication of the rocket structures, including airframes and internal structures. The team mostly works with composite materials such as carbon fiber, Astroquartz, and fiberglass. The team starts from rolls of composite materials and employs industry manufacturing techniques to create a fully integrated rocket. We also work with the other sub-teams to ensure proper integration of all rocket components according to design specifications.

The Payloads sub-team is responsible for the design and manufacturing of the payload that is flown on the competition rocket. These payloads may vary from year to year but typically are scientific experiments or technical demonstrations. Additionally, the payload team is responsible for the structure that holds the payloads and the integration into the rocket. Working on the various parts of the payload system requires a wide range of skills such as programming, CAD modeling, electronics, and shop skills, among others.

The Simulation’s sub-team is all about the design, performance, and ability to accurately depict our rocket in flight. We use several software programs such as OpenRocket, RasAero II, SolidWorks, FinSim, and MATLAB. These programs allow us to perform predictions of apogee, touchdown velocity, drag, and max dynamic pressure for the rocket during flight. These characteristics of the rocket are just a few parameters that our sub-team tries to solve.

The Propulsion sub-team is responsible for the propulsion systems on board each launch vehicle. This includes inspection, assembly, and integration of motors in each vehicle that the team plans to fly. While the team has primarily dealt with commercial and solid propulsion systems in the past; the team is currently developing an SRAD, Student Researched and Developed, hybrid motor for future competitions. Our prototype is currently in development, and we will soon be testing it at our custom-designed and built test site in Starkville.

The Business and Expense Administrative Networking Sub-team, or BEANS, is in charge of communication, marketing, and finance for the entire team. We help market the team through social media and other public sources. We coordinate sponsorships and donations. We design merchandise and set up events around campus and the greater Starkville area. We are the important communication point between the team and the public.