Edmonds CC students join high-power rocket launch in Pasco

Instructor Will Hamp and club president Trixie Teng ready her rocket for launch.

Edmonds Community College Rocketry Society members joined other rocket enthusiasts from Central Washington University and the Tri-Cities Rocketeers for a high-powered launch near Pasco, Wash.

Edmonds CC’s team of students launched five rockets on Nov. 9. Experienced rocketeer and past club president Brie Hall made the launch process look easy when launching her rocket that created stunning visual effects as it lifted off with a redline motor. Club member Tony Chuang was able to achieve NAR Level II Certification by launching his rocket to an estimated 4,000 feet and utilizing a dual deploy recovery chute system.

Edmonds CC Rocketry Society members and Instructor Will Hamp (center) Credit: Edmonds Community College

“The Rocketry Society gives our students the opportunity to take STEM education outside of the classroom and to challenge themselves in ways that build their engineering portfolio,” said Will Hamp, Edmonds CC engineering faculty and club advisor. 

Hamp achieved National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Level I Certification by launching a PML Ariel rocket 1,029 feet into the air and reaching a top speed of 180 mph.

Edmonds CC Rocketry Society members prepare their rockets for launch.

“Club president Trixie Teng’s Level II rocket has yet to return to Earth as it is presently entangled in a large tree-like structure, and member Ryan Maxwell’s Level II rocket’s whereabouts are currently unknown,” Hamp said, “but we know exactly where the valuable knowledge and experience is––it resides in these talented students.” 

Both rockets were wrapped in carbon fiber using a filament winding machine at Edmonds CC’s Monroe Hall composites lab. They also had their fins wrapped in fiberglass to for stronger structural support.

The Edmonds CC Rocketry Society welcomes new student members –– with or without any rocketry experience –– to come join the fun. Learn more about the Edmonds CC Rocketry Society and the college’s engineering programs.