Aftershock II: Student-created rocket breaks space altitude record

The rocket surpassed the previous record of 380,000 feet set in 2004.

Published: November 24, 2024

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The University of Southern California Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) has marked a new advancement in amateur rocketry with the launch of Aftershock II . The entirely student-designed and built rocket reached an altitude of 470,000 feet , surpassing the previous record of 380,000 feet set in 2004 by the Civilian Space Exploration Team by 90,000 feet.

A rocket created by students

Weighing 330 pounds and standing 13 feet tall, Aftershock II is an outstanding example of student engineering. Equipped with the most powerful solid-fuel engine Never developed by a non-professional team, the rocket also featured crucial innovations to withstand extreme conditions, such as hypersonic speeds of Mach 5.5 . Its thermal protection system included titanium fins and a specialized paint capable of withstanding the heat generated during flight.

The rocket also incorporated avionics systems designed from scratch, allowing for real-time data monitoring , trajectory tracking and easy recovery of the rocket after launch. This level of data integration is rare even among advanced amateur teams, highlighting the technical level of the USCRPL.

The success of Aftershock II continues the tradition of the laboratory, which in 2019 launched the Traveler IV rocket beyond the Kármán line, becoming the first student group to reach outer space. “ This achievement is a testament to the commitment and excellence of our students ,” said Dan Erwin, chair of the USC Department of Astronautical Engineering.

In addition to being a technical achievement, this project prepares students to lead in the aerospace industry . Startups such as Relativity Space and Ursa Major have been founded by former USCRPL members, cementing its legacy of innovation.

The launch, which took place in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, is a testament to the limitless potential when the talent and ambition of future generations of engineers combine. Watch the launch in this video!