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Release: 00-318

High schools and universities selected to build, launch rockets with NASA Marshall Center mentors

Five Huntsville, Ala. area high schools will field student teams that will build competing reusable rockets in the quest to launch a science payload — all under the guidance of NASA rocket scientists and engineers.

Sparkman High School, Johnson High School, New Century Technology High School, Randolph School, and Madison Academy were selected after a competitive process by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Following a design review next April, NASA will select one team’s rocket to carry the science payload. Launch is planned for early next fall. The other schools will have an opportunity to launch their rockets at the same event.

Johnson, the only school to propose a science experiment to be flown on the reusable rocket, was selected to design and integrate its microgravity experiment for flight.

"This education initiative is intended to energize students through hands-on science, math and engineering," said Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson. "At the same time, this government-industry involvement with students helps develop and strengthen Marshall’s future workforce — and our nation’s future pool of talent."

A selection panel representing Marshall Center’s major directorates originally planned to choose the best two proposals — one for a rocket and one for a payload -- but found themselves equally impressed by the knowledge and professionalism of the student rocket scientists.

"We not only asked schools to submit written proposals, but we also asked them to give an oral briefing and answer questions from our selection panel, much like we do in the normal procurement process," said Jim Pruitt, manager of education programs at the Marshall Center. "We were so impressed with all the schools that we asked all five to design and build their rockets. If we can sustain this excitement and energize these students, maybe we can get some to go on and make a career of it."

A second rocket and payload will be designed, built and launched by area universities. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is leading the rocket team, and Alabama A&M University in Huntsville is leading the payload team.

The student reusable launch vehicle project is modeled after a similar program at Fredericksburg High School in Fredericksburg, Texas. In August, a student team successfully launched a 22-foot (6.7 meter) rocket to an altitude of 35,000 feet (10668 meters).

"The Fredericksburg program demonstrates that not only can a project like this be done, it can be done safely and effectively," said Stephenson. "It shows that when students are given a chance to excel, they’ll step up to the challenge — a trait we need in tomorrow’s leaders. We want to provide more opportunities like that for today’s young adults."

Potential launch sites are under review, and will be selected to meet the needs of the rocket designs.