Future Developments of the RISE Program

Future Developments

In the future, we hope to expand the programming of RISE to inspire bigger and more exciting projects. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, our original plans and scope for the project needed to be reduced. We hope to implement these in the future as part of the RISE project’s expansion. This will entail all aspects of a scientific program including proposing ideas, designing the payload, fabrication, testing and calibration, integration with the rocket, flight support, data analysis, and dissemination.

The expanded program will be implemented in a series of phases. The group of students will start by formulating a few ideas for scientific experiments they think are worthy of consideration. A panel of experts will rank proposals based on these ideas and choose the concept that will go forward. PSU personnel will then teach the students about payload design including how to use computer-aided design (CAD) software, factoring in fabrication limitations, the value of prototyping via 3D printing, and the myriad other design considerations that are typical for such payloads.

Following the design phase, the students will then interact with machinists and fabrication experts to get their parts made. The assembly process will include sub-system testing to ensure adequate operation. PSU personnel will guide the students through safety, training of test equipment, and proper data recording procedures.

Following final assembly, the student payload will be fully tested and calibrated by the students with PSU personnel oversight to verify anticipated performance. The students will then assist with integrating their payload into the main rocket assembly and prepare for launch operations.

The rocket launch will take place at a missile range such as White Sands Missile Range, Poker Flats Research Range, or Wallops Island Flight Facility. Following the flight, the payload will be recovered and PSU personnel will guide the students through the analysis of their recorded data. Following data analysis, the group will prepare a full scientific report, similar to a scientific journal article, and present their findings.