The Honors Program Goes to Space (almost)!

Sep 15, 2023

Georgia Tech Experimental Rocketry (GTXR, or the Ramblin’ Rocket Club) is a team of about 100 undergraduate students who—for the past four years—have been working towards the goal of being the first collegiate team to fly a two-stage sounding rocket to space.  On July 7, 2023, in the middle of the Mojave Desert, GTXR flew a rocket named Material Girl that had a simulated apogee (the highest point in its trajectory) of 200,000 feet. It was a more powerful and streamlined rocket compared to the 2022 model and flew on solid rocket motors built by the team.  For the past several years, the GTXR rocket has launched with the help of people power and sponsorship support from the Georgia Tech Honors Program (HP).

Joey Gemini has served as the co-president for the last two years and handed over the leadership of the organization to Honors Program students Connor Johnson and Alfonso Lagares de Toledo when the rocket touched down from its launch (a GTXR tradition).  Gemini is an AE major from Chicago, IL who oversaw the vehicle's high-level development, manufacturing, and administrative operations in his role as co-president.  Of the Honors Program’s involvement, Gemini said:

The Honors Program was essential in supporting our launch effort as they generously covered the flight costs for HP students.  Our team strives to fund travel expenses for students so there is no barrier to entry to attend launch; the support and contributions from the Honors Program are key in making that possible.  

Connor Johnson, a third-year AE major from Midlothian, Virginia, is excited to step into the role of co-president and guide the design of next year’s rockets, using the valuable information about two-stage rocket integration procedures and design improvements gained from the summer 2023 launch.  Johnson has been actively involved in undergraduate research on gas turbine engine emissions and worked with the GT Mobile STEM Laboratory VIP, which aims to create an array of science demonstrations to bring to K-12 schools.  He’s also been an active participant in Honors Program classes and activities, with his favorite experience being in Dr. John Cressler's IAC 2002: Science, Engineering, and Religion class and the community that emerged from it.  He’s also been an HP intramural sports champion, helping out the dodgeball, kickball, and softball teams.

In addition to Johnson and Lagares de Toledo who are serving as the incoming co-presidents, Honors Program students Morgan Gregg, Robert Ajluni, Joseph Clary, and Prem Pendkar are also on the team.  Morgan is a second-year AE major from Huntersville, NC.  The experience gained from GTXR has led to her finding her footing in avionics, where she will be continuing next year as the Supporting Systems Lead.  Morgan is involved with Women of Aeronautics and Astronautics and serves as a mentor at the Aero Maker Space.  Morgan reports that her involvement with the close-knit community of the Honors Program has led to her meeting people who are now among her closest friends at Georgia Tech.

The Honors Program is proud of the HP student members and leadership of the GTXR and looks forward to an even more impressive launch in 2024!

You can read an additional story about the launch online or follow GTXR on Instagram.