Meet the Winners: SEDS UCSD
SEDS UCSD is a platform dedicated to developing the next generation of aerospace technology by empowering students to work on industry-level projects. Currently focuses on liquid rocketry, in 2015 this chapter became the first collegiate organization to launch a rocket powered by a 3D printed engine.
Currently, SEDS members are working towards the development of two new vehicles, a high-altitude rocket named Halya, and a self-landing rocket named Riptide. Halya will be launched by the end of this academic year, and Riptide is currently in the design and prototyping stage.
SEDS UCSD empowers young engineers to become confident in their skills while working on challenging concepts that were thought impossible at a collegiate level. A great example is the Nephas engine, the most efficient coaxial swirl rocket engine to be developed by a university team.
Aside from their industry-level technical prowess, what makes SEDS UCSD truly unique is the community focus. New SEDS members are offered mentorship and support in their professional growth from older members, while developing their technical skills throughout the “cadetship” period. Members are united by the belief that any students, regardless of major or prior experience, can develop the skills to contribute to any projects. This belief has made SEDS UCSD a supportive and inclusive community for rocketry enthusiasts, especially those from under-represented backgrounds.
Revolutionizing Collegiate Rocketry with Riptide
Riptide is a self-landing bipropellant lander, set to compete in the Collegiate Propulsive Lander Challenge. Due to its magnitude and self-landing component, Riptide is the first of its kind to be developed by any collegiate team in the world. Riptide will revolutionize collegiate rocketry, making technologies that are currently privatized available to the public, increasing access to research and advancing rocketry technology.
While construction of the Riptide lander in underway, so is a scale model, “Lander Jr.’“, capable of verifying control algorithms ahead of Riptide testing.
Fostering Diverse Communities and Learning Together
UCSD is both a Hispanic and an Asian and Pacific Islander Serving Institution. Being within a diverse community, uplifting everyone’s voices and incorporating outreach to expand its impact are part of their DNA. As part of the Riptide project, UCSD has an avalanche of activities that integrate into local high schools, elementary schools, and the whole community.
- High School: Engine and vehicle test events programmed with Eastlake High School. These collaborative tests will take place at designated rocketry sites in California that are approved by both UC San Diego and Eastlake High School, with supervision from certified pyrotechnic operators. The goal is to spark curiosity through exciting technical demonstrations that are normally not accessible to the general public.
- Elementary School: Showcasing Riptide technology through “Lander Jr.” at local elementary schools. Lander Jr. is a miniature Riptide replica, using drone propellers, used to demonstrate science experiments to students as young as 10. For younger students where the drone parts may present a safety concern, the team has created a game that visualizes the flight of Riptide. The students can control the virtual lander, developing an intuition for its expected flight pattern.
- The Whole Community: Partnering with the Southeast San Diego Science and Art Expo, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and the Barrio Logan Science Fair. In the upcoming months, SEDS UCSD will be presenting the lander technology while celebrating and promoting STEAM at events put on by their partners. Some of these events are held in lower-income and underrepresented neighborhoods, giving SEDS UCSD access to a wider audience and a greater impact.
These are just the community outreach efforts tied to Riptide team. SEDS UCSD puts on way more events to highlight their other projects. They also have other programs to inspire their students to grow professionally while giving back to the community.
You must be logged in to post a comment.