Flight On! RPL’s Mission to Send a Rocket to Space
By Danielle Collins ‘20
3, 2, 1, blast off! The countdown is on for USC’s Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (RPL). After the end of the semester, RPL will be heading to the desert to launch their student-built rocket, TRAVELER III, into space. I sat down with Karen Zhu, a member of RPL’s core team, to learn more about the upcoming launch.
Q & A with Karen Zhu:
Danielle Collins: For those who don’t know, can you explain what RPL is?
Karen Zhu: RPL stands for Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. We’re an undergraduate student club here at USC. We are focused on researching, developing, and experimenting new rocket technologies. Our goal is to be the first undergraduate student group to launch and recover an entirely student-built and designed rocket into space. We differentiate ourselves from other collegiate rocketry groups by designing, machining, and fabricating every component of our rocket in-house.
DC: And what’s your role in RPL?
KZ: I’m currently a core member at RPL and it’s been great this past year introducing new members of the team to what we do and getting them involved. I do a lot of working with composites and leading layups. One of the things I’ve worked on this semester with other members of the team is getting our nosecone up to flight quality standards.
DC: So, you’re sending a rocket to space. Tell me about that!
KZ: It’s really out of this world! I’m really lucky that I got to join this group during such a pivotal time. I’m so proud of everyone in RPL, alumni and current members, who has worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality. It’s so exciting – I think we all get chills just thinking about it.
DC: Have you ever sent a rocket to space before?
KZ: No – we’ve had three past attempts, but TRAVELER III will hopefully be our first time.
DC: How many years has RPL been working on this?
KZ: It’s been RPL’s goal since the club was founded in 2005. The team has built and tested numerous rockets through launches and static fires since then. You can find learn more about our team and our past missions at uscrpl.com and you can see past launches and static fires on our YouTube channel!
DC: How big is the rocket?
KZ: These are just rough numbers, but about 13 feet tall and about 300lbs (~185lbs of propellant, ~100lbs of rocket). Our motor case is 8 inches in diameter.
DC: Just how high up are we talking?
KZ: Past the Karman line, which is recognized as where Earth’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins. The Karman line is at an altitude of 100km, or 328,084ft.
DC: When is the launch taking place?
KZ: May 19th, 2018.
DC: Where is the launch taking place?
KZ: Blackrock Desert, Nevada
DC: After this launch, what is RPL’s next goal?
KZ: Currently undecided. If this launch is successful, we’re going to have to do a lot of new brainstorming. If not, we’ll keep trying until we do succeed! Our motto is space or nothing!
DC: How can students get involved with RPL?
KZ: The best way to get involved is by joining our email list, you can do so by emailing flighton@uscrpl.com. If you are on the USC campus we have an open door policy and hold build hours every weekday from 6-9pm. We encourage any interested students to stop by the lab anytime to check it out, we are located on the first floor of RRB. Additionally, every Friday at 4pm we hold a general meeting where we go over what has been done in the lab over the last week, as well as what we have scheduled for the following week. You can also find us at the USC involvement fairs on campus every semester, talk to anyone on the team, or any Aero/Astro professor can probably help refer you to us.
DC: Do you have to be an engineering major?
KZ: Nope! I’ve definitely met business majors, among others, at lab.
DC: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experiences with RPL?
KZ: RPL is all about teamwork and commitment. You really do get what you put into the team. We all teach and learn from one another. One of the greatest things is that you can join not knowing anything about rockets and come out of it with an industry entry level skill set. I also love that I get to apply what I learn in class to a technical project relevant to my major and what I want to do after college. Flight on!
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