History
Founding
The Wentworth sounding rocket team was originally started as one of the Wentworth ASME student chapter annual projects in the fall semester of 2022 by 3 sophomore mechanical engineering students.
The original scope of the project was to Build and fly a maximum impulse L2 class high power rocket and flying it to 10,000 feet (Barry Benson) named for its black and yellow paint job after the character from the Bee Movie. This quickly evolved into nearly 25 students becoming interested in the project by the middle of the spring semester and perusing their L1 High power rocketry certifications through the WIT ASME club rocket project team.
By the end of the spring semester the rocket team had 7 students successfully active their L1 high power rocketry with more follow through out the summer semester. The team also had 4 members achieve there L2 high power certification throughout the summer as well one member start the process of applying for there L3 certification. The team was ready to fly the first group project Barry however due to high winds and poor wether conditions the launch was canceled and pushed back several times over the summer semester and into the fall.
During the fall semester of 2023 the team met the requirements to be registered with the school as an independent club received an independent budget and club roster. The club was able to attend a launch at the URRG rocket field in the Finger Lakes region of NY in October recovering the rocket for future flights and to be used as a display on campus.
23-24 Season
Throughout the first semester of the 23-24 season the rocket club started 15 new students on there L1 certification rockets.
As the the year went on Team leadership decided to enter the Argonia Cup collegiate rocket competition in Argonia Kansas. This Was the teams first entry into a college rocket competition. The rocket entered into the Argonia cup named Clifford named after its read paint job and 16’ tall hight was the teams first Flight outside of New England First official competition flight and First 2 stage rocket. Clifford weighed in at nearly 50 pounds carrying a payload of 183 Golf balls. Clifford flew at Argonia however due to high winds during the flight the safety lockout prevented the second stage from firing and the rocket safely landed after reaching a first stage altitude of 1173 feet.
Over the summer semester WIT SRT members attended several more local launches and several more members earned there L1 and L2 certifications as well as the first WIT SRT member to ear there L3 high power certification the highest level of certification in amateur rocketry.
Throughout 23-24 season the team focused on preparing to enter into the Spaceport America Cup competition. By competing at Argonia growing its roster of L1 and L2 certified members and now having its First L3 member the team is read to compete at Spaceport.