Who we are, What we do

Mission Statement

We at CPSS will fly a rocket to the edge of space and successfully recover it. We will achieve this with a close–knit, well–organized team of dedicated people who bring all kinds of expertise to the group.

Teams

CPSS is made up of many different teams that specialize in different aspects of rockets. Most members are involved in one team. But they can be active in more than one and can move or help other teams.

Structures

Ever wonder how rockets are made? How the shape of nose-cones can affect the entire rockets' aerodynamics? In CPSS, we have the answers. In CPSS, we are able to turn a soft fiberglass fabric and some plywood into a rocket that can reach mach speed. In Structures, we fabricate all of our rockets from scratch and make sure that the materials being used have enough structural integrity for their specific purpose. Formulating epoxy & micro balloons, shaping the rocket's body with fiberglass, finding its aerodynamic center, etc… are some of the many things you'll learn as part of the Structures team.

If you would like to 'learn by doing,' and a have burning desire to design and build your own unique rockets that are sure to raise eyebrows at first sight, CPSS is the perfect place for you.

The electronics team is a small group of students who are interested in the important control and sensor systems that are essential for advanced spacecraft design. We work with the rest of the club to design and build electronics packages that integrate well with the rest of the rocket. We use skills that we have learned in building simple electronic systems to build more complex systems for future use. No experience is needed to become involved in this exciting team, only a desire to learn more about electronics.

The primary responsibility of the Special Systems group is to coordinate the Structures and Electronics teams, ensuring that both teams are aware of each other's requirements. Secondary responsibilities include supporting the Structures and Electronics teams if they need extra help and managing any side projects that don't fall under the headings of the other two teams. Most often, Special Systems is only one person, the lead, who will take volunteers from other groups if he or she needs help with a project.

Club Officers

Zach Arena - President

Zach Arena is a fourth year Aerospace Engineering major. He joined CPSS my freshmen year knowing nothing about rocketry and learned everything from the club. Zach stuck around and learned a lot from older members and became club secretary my sophomore year, then vice president last year. He has worked on the hybrid motor and the mach rocket projects and hope to further the club in obtaining industry projects and broaden the club's fields of expertise. Outside of the club he enjoys photography, camping, and watching movies.

"We're either gonna die or we're gonna fly!"

Jason Carpenter is a 5th year Aerospace engineering major in his third year at Cal Poly. Since middle school, Jason has had an interest in rockets and space flight. He found CPSS during his first quarter at Cal Poly and has been an active member since serving a secretary for the '08-'09 school year. He has attained Level 1 certification with his yet unnamed rocket and watched his level 2 attempt, Spaceballs: the Rocket, do an awesome flip before flying sideways and landing a little too fast. This year he will be working on replacing his level 2 cert rocket. He enjoys video games, movies and playing raquetball.

“So its big and dangerous, but is it rediculous enough?"

Aliki Loper-Leddy is a second year Aerospace Engineering Major and really enjoys working with CPSS. She joined as a freshman and immediately wanted to become more involved in the club activities. She became Level 1 certified at Dairy Aire with her rocket SuperNova. She enjoys performing piano and solo vocal performances as well as involving herself in many musicals over the years.

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” -Brian Littrell

Kevin Byrne is a second year Aerospace Engineering and has been interested in flying for as long as he can remember. After achieving Tripoli Level 1 certification in his first year with the club he intends to attempt to obtain level 2 this year and eventually complete level 3. Among other things he enjoys hanging out with friends, sports and music.

"Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless." ~Thomas Edison

Chelsea Barackman is a junior Aerospace Engineer major. She became active in CPSS when she was sitting in Aero 121 class, bored out of her mind, when two people presented about this club called CPSS. Chelsea went to the first meeting and was hooked. When she was asked what she likes she said "Besides building rockets? Reading, hanging out with friends, and cooking."

"I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center." - Kurt Vonnegut

Joshua Herrmann is a sophomore Aerospace Engineering major. He joined the club in the fall of his freshmen year in 2008 and is now an active member. He attained his Tripoli Certification Level 1 in spring 2009. He hopes to learn a lot as structures lead this year as well as build really awesome rockets.

“It all looked so easy when you did it on paper—where valves never froze, gyros never drifted, and rocket motors did not blow up in your face.” — Milton W. Rosen, rocket engineer, 1956

Joe Vanherweg is a junior level student and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He became interested in experiment rocketry after his hobby of amateur pyrotechnics lead him to experiment making solid rocket motors. Those solid motors then became a mini-hybrid engine. One of CPSS's ongoing projects is a large hybrid rocket engine so when he heard about it he joined the club to pursue that interest.

"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire." -Fred Shero