UCC Students Reach for the Stars with Rocketry Society
Fueled by growing enthusiasm for space exploration, students at University College Cork (UCC) are pioneering rocketry. Their newly-formed Rocketry and Space Exploration Society is poised to make waves.
Forging a Rocketry Dream
After a gestation period of 16 months, the society’s origins can be traced back to a simple question posed by **Michael Moynihan**, **Darren Moynihan**, and **Leo Healy**: “Do you want to build a rocket?”
That question sparked the creation of an engineering group, which quickly attracted around 20 members from diverse academic backgrounds, including engineering, physics, and computer science.
Icarus Takes Flight
Development of their first rocket, named Icarus, began in late April of the previous year. Established rocketry teams at the University of Limerick and Queen’s University provided assistance. The UCC engineering department offered guidance, access to facilities, and financial support.
Icarus launched on February 15 in Curraghmore Estate, Waterford. The group deemed the launch a success, despite the rocket crash-landing in a tree, as it validated their efforts.
The launch demonstrated the students’ interest, dedication, and expertise, which were essential to establishing the society.
Overcoming Hurdles
Securing official recognition for the society proved challenging, even after successfully launching Icarus. It took months of back-and-forth emails, signed letters of recommendation from the heads of several societies, and a petition that gathered more than 300 signatures in just under five hours before the office agreed to the formation.
Approval finally came in early April, but official UCC funding will not be available until the next semester.
Eyes on Scotland
Undeterred, the team has been working on their next rocket, Prometheus, for entry into the Mach-25 rocketry competition in Scotland this July. Teams from across Ireland and the UK will participate. Prometheus is expected to reach a maximum altitude of two kilometers.
The team documents construction progress on their Instagram account, @uccrocketrysociety. Currently, the rocket is nearly complete, with the main body constructed, painted, and parts ordered.
Creative Solutions
Budget constraints, despite support from the Engineering Department, presented challenges. Components had to be shipped from Italy, leading to delays and increased costs. They chose to 3D print the nose cone and fins, which saved time and money.
According to a recent report, the global 3D printing market is expected to reach $55.8 billion by 2027, demonstrating its growing importance in manufacturing and engineering.
Promoting Space Exploration
The society is committed to raising awareness about the space exploration industry on campus. The group isn’t all about launching rockets. There is a big push and commitment for raising awareness about the space exploration industry on campus.
Plans include hosting talks by representatives from SpaceX, NASA, and Réaltra, open to all UCC students. The society also intends to distribute regular newsletters covering developments in space exploration and display real rocket parts in the physics building.
Future Trajectory
The Rocketry and Space Exploration Society is laying the groundwork for future generations of rocketeers and solidifying UCC’s place in the aerospace industry. With planned launches, events, and outreach initiatives, they aim to position UCC as a hub for student innovation in aerospace.
