Amount of funding awarded
3316
Budget Report
View budget report.
How the program has supported you
Our team’s goal with Tantalus was to explore advanced areas of science and engineering. PAF funding enabled us to develop experimental technology, such as our novel fin simulation and manufacturing methods, and funded critical project operations like delivering the rocket to the East Coast of Canada to launch it.
Tantalus’ PAF also supported the development of the rocket’s 3U CubeSat payload, which investigated microbial voltage generation in variable gravity environments. As Canada-wide finalists in CAN-RGX (the Canadian Reduced Gravity Challenge), the Payloads team boarded a parabolic flight and conducted the experiment in a reduced gravity environment. The team launched the same payload at IREC 2022 in Silvertip and at Launch Canada 2022 in Tantalus. Competing in 3 competitions, presenting a research paper at the Combustion Institute conference and hot fire testing a liquid engine – none of this would have been possible without PAF funding.
Outcomes
Through both the multistage rocket and payload, Tantalus gave our team the opportunity to explore new areas of science and engineering, and established us as the only team to attempt a multistage launch at the first Canadian University rocketry event. Over 50 students on the Tantalus team gained engineering experience in manual and CNC machining and turning, composite layups, bioengineering, PCB design, firmware/software, leadership, project management, outreach, business development and systems engineering.
PAF funding enables our team to expand the boundaries of student rocketry, with multiple competitions, research papers and advanced technical achievements in 2021/2022 alone. The experiences supported by PAF on UBC Rocket enable our members to launch their engineering careers, with unique networking opportunities and record numbers of co-op offers and acceptances.
