The Illinois Space Society (ISS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a vibrant student organization dedicated to technical projects and educational outreach in space. As the university’s SEDS chapter, ISS provides members with diverse technical experiences, including participating in prestigious NASA competitions and managing intricate propulsion projects. Among its notable projects are the Micro-g NExT, RASC-AL, and the new Human Lander Challenge, where ISS teams have consistently excelled. The chapter also runs in-house projects including high-power rocketry team, Spaceshot, and two Student Researched and Designed (SRAD) propulsion groups.
In addition to technical projects, ISS is deeply committed to professional development and inclusivity. From resume reviews to panels featuring engineers from leading companies like SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, ISS has developed a holistic experience for every member. The highlight of their annual events is the Goddard Symposium, which this year enabled ten members to participate. ISS boasts a large, diverse membership with over 440 active members from various backgrounds, complemented by a supportive network of approximately 100 alumni advisors. The society’s focus on multidisciplinary projects and inclusive culture has increased diversity in majors and gender representation, reflecting their ongoing efforts to create a welcoming environment for all space enthusiasts.
Spaceshot, the largest team in the Illinois Space Society, focuses on creating high-power rockets capable of reaching the von Kármán line, the boundary of space at 100 km altitude. The current project involves developing a new 2-stage rocket, aimed at achieving an altitude of 130,000 feet at the Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) competition in 2025. The team is working on several advancements such as transition sections for varying diameters between booster and sustainer, improved motor ignition wire harnessing systems, and high-altitude recovery mechanisms.
Kairos, the current 2-stage rocket designed by Spaceshot, has undergone rigorous testing, including a recent launch in Argonia, Kansas. Key components of the project include a robust structural and design analysis process, meticulous manufacturing techniques using carbon fiber, and a custom avionics stack with dual-redundant electronics. The team employs advanced software for simulations and employs vacuum bagging and oven curing to ensure the strength and durability of the components. The development of the MIDAS flight computer, capable of initiating inflight events and providing real-time telemetry, highlights the team’s technical expertise and innovation.
The Illinois Space Society’s Educational Outreach (EdOut) team has a robust history of community engagement, prioritizing inclusion regardless of students’ backgrounds. EdOut conducts classroom and library visits to introduce K-12 students to space and engineering challenges through interactive activities. They also host an annual global science communication competition for children to inspire the next generation.
ISS also participates yearly at major events like Illinois Space Day and Engineering Open House (EOH). Illinois Space Day provides an immersive space experience with exhibits and expert talks for K-8 students, while EOH showcases ISS’s technical projects, allowing members to share their expertise with the public. These efforts not only promote accessible education but also enhance members’ communication skills and engagement with the community.
Spaceshot integrates community outreach into their technical endeavors by hosting open events during key project milestones, such as ejection testing. These events invite local school students to tour the workspace, view rocket subsystems, and witness testing procedures, fostering a hands-on understanding of rocket science. Additionally, Spaceshot plans to conduct workshops for high school students, allowing them to engage in tasks like recovery parachute drag calculations or assembling structural components, guided by Spaceshot members. These initiatives not only ignite interest in STEM fields but also strengthen the bond between Spaceshot and the broader community.
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