NASA's Student Launch Initiative (SLI) Program
During my time at Krueger School of Aerospace and Technology (KSAT, now SETA), I had the incredible opportunity to participate in NASA's Student Launch Initiative (SLI) program as a Team Leader. This hands-on, research-based challenge introduced me to the world of aerospace engineering and STEM, developed my leadership skills, and sparked my interest in academic research. Although I ultimately pursued the humanities in college, this experience was invaluable. The SLI program allowed me to collaborate with a dedicated team, travel to Huntsville, Alabama for a national competition, and engage in community outreach, building a foundation of technical and soft skills that would continue to serve me.
The NASA Student Launch Initiative (SLI) is a competitive, research-based challenge that engages middle school through university-level students in the design, construction, testing, and launching of reusable rockets. Managed by NASA's Academic Affairs Office at Marshall Space Flight Center, the program aims to foster interest in STEM fields by providing hands-on experience with real-world engineering challenges. Teams participating in the program work on an eight-month project, simulating the process of designing and testing rockets for NASA missions. The initiative aligns with NASA’s goals for developing technology to support space exploration, including missions under the Space Launch System (SLS) and Artemis programs. Additionally, students are required to engage in community outreach, sharing their work with others to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers. The program culminates in a national competition where teams gather in Huntsville, Alabama to present their rockets and payload experiments, engage with NASA personnel, and launch their vehicles.
Our Team
In 8th grade, I led a team of 13 students—the only middle school team competing alongside high schools and universities across the nation. Our participation involved an eight-month commitment to designing, building, testing, and flying a high-powered rocket. We also developed and executed an education outreach program to share our work with the community, promoting STEM engagement at local elementary schools and community events.
Our rocket, *Mark Twain VIII*, had a 5.5-inch diameter, stood 108.3 inches long, and weighed 306 ounces. Equipped with a CTI K300 motor and a dual deployment recovery system, it was designed for a high-altitude flight, carrying experimental payloads to contribute to NASA’s ongoing research for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Artemis missions. We first built a scale model (to test) before approval of Mark Twain VIII.
Payload 1: Packing Material Study
We investigated whether sodium polyacrylate, a material found in household items like diapers, could serve as a more effective packing material than traditional Styrofoam for protecting payloads during launch.
Payload 2: Dual-Turbine Power Generation
Our second experiment explored whether a dual-turbine system could generate electrical energy after deployment at apogee. The aim was to determine if this system could power onboard instruments or charge a battery, potentially assisting with recovery systems if power was lost during flight.
Results
While our results did not merit research awards, our efforts were recognized for creativity and team spirit.
As judged by [our] peers we were awarded:
- Best Rocket Fair Display Award (Overall): Celebrates quality of display and attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetics integration.
- Best Looking Rocket Award (Middle/High School Division): Celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetics integration.
- Team Spirit Award (Middle/High School Division): Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and gracious professionalism through teamwork during launch week.
Thank you to my mentors and fellow SLI team participants:
Stephen Watson, KSAT Director
Tracy Thomas, Safety/Outreach/Rocket Mentor
Don Cosgrove, Rocket and Payload Mentor
Sabine Haschke, Safety and Outreach Mentor
Veronica Webster, Web Page Design Mentor
Larry Lain, Rocket and Payload Mentor
Students: James, Samuel, Tyler, Nathan, Malikai, Robert, Katie, Claire, Madeline, Taylor, Connor, Gabe
