Short Description of Project
Whistler-Blackcomb is UBC Rocket’s multi-year project to launch the first student-built liquid rocket to space. This project has established UBC at the forefront of amateur liquid rocket engine development. We will conduct our inaugural launch within the Dollar Per Foot competition hosted by Friends of Amateur Rocketry in July 2023.
Amount of funding awarded
8400
Budget Report
View budget report.
How the program has supported you
The Whistler-Blackcomb project researches and develops liquid rocket engines, and the associated hardware, with the ultimate goal of launching a liquid-fueled rocket to space. This resource-intensive goal is made easier with the reliable support that the Professional Activity Fund provides. While our team is generously supported by numerous industry sponsors through donated hardware and in-kind donations, the PAF funding allows us to focus on the technical aspects of our project.
UBC Rocket attended 3 competitions last year: CAN-RGX (Canada Reduced Gravity Experiment), IREC (International Rocketry Engineering Competition), and the inaugural Launch Canada competition. Our project also presented a research paper at a Combustion Institute conference event on our work in modeling complex rocket engine combustion, heat flux, and regenerative cooling, putting UBC Rocket at the forefront of Canadian rocket engine research and development. None of this would have been possible without the generous sponsorship from PAF.
Outcomes
Our project exists to expand the boundaries within rocketry and give students opportunities to launch their careers in engineering. The PAF funding has enabled us to continue to fulfill the first objective with our most successful year ever; with multiple competitions, research papers, and major technical achievements. Furthermore, through experiences supported by PAF on UBC Rocket, our members have had a record number of co-op job offers and acceptances. Despite being in an economic downturn, UBC Rocket members’ experiences are highly sought after in almost every industry and discipline. Additionally, thanks to PAF funding more than 55 students on the Whistler-Blackcomb project were able to improve their engineering skills directly from their work on the design team. Many members have greatly improved their skills in manual and CNC machining and turning, carbon fiber composite layups, welding, PCB design, firmware, software, controls, leadership, project management, outreach, and business development.
