Department of Space Studies-UND转发了
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Launch! For the second consecutive year, the Department of Space Studies-UND participated in the annual BALLS rocket launch event, held in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. This year's event marked the 32nd anniversary of this prestigious rocketry gathering. Organized by TRIPOLI, the American association for high-power amateur rocketry, BALLS32 took place in one of the most remarkable landscapes in the country and provided a unique opportunity to apply scientific and engineering principles to practical rocketry. This year's event saw over 200 participants, including spectators and rocket enthusiasts from around the globe, who launched rockets, tested experimental motors, and explored new frontiers in rocketry technology. One of our PhD students, Jurie Visagie, successfully built and launched his LOC-IV rocket, earning his Level 1 certification on his first attempt and achieving Level 2 certification on his second. In doing so, he became the first student from our department to successfully fly a J-class motor, producing over 1,200 N-sec of total impulse and an average thrust of 270 N. Dr. Fernandez-Tous, who proudly witnessed these achievements, also launched a J-class rocket on the final day of the event. Both rockets, flown by Mr. Visagie and Dr. Fernandez-Tous, reached apogees exceeding 4,000 feet. Building on this momentum, preparations for the BALLS33 event are already underway, with plans for an even larger representation of UND students aiming to achieve greater milestones in high-power rocketry. The sky is the limit – will you rise to the challenge? #UNDproud #UNDaerospace