Welcome to Daedalus Astronautics at Arizona State University. Daedalus is a completely student run organization dedicated to the design, manufacture, and launching of sounding rockets. In addition, Daedalus performs math, science, and engineering educational outreach in the community. It is our hope that this webpage serves as a link between our activities and those interested in learning more about them. Please feel free to look through all aspects of our website, the Rockets section details to launch vehicles we have or are currently working on. The Research section details our progress with student projects or experimental projects related to rocketry. Take a peek in the Outreach events to see how we impact the community, and below is a listing of recent news pertaining to the club or the greater engineering and student community.
However, before you venture off into the website, we’d like to first acknowledge our sponsors and take this time to thank them for their contributions over the years. Without the generous funding from Raytheon, and the tireless work devoted to us from the Mechanical and Aerospace Department at ASU and the ASU/NASA Space Grant Program, Daedalus would be nothing but the feverous dreams of those few of us willing to try to do something special with our time at Arizona State.
A very special thank you to DATAQ Instruments for providing Daedalus with state of the art data acquisition products and data logger systems. Their support will specifically help to advance our research by allowing an interface for load cells, pressure transducers, and other devices. Their sponsorship will ensure the future success of the club and advancement of our research initiatives.
Recent News:
January 30th, 2012:
Hybrid rocket motor testing starts up again at ASU! A small-scale motor for characterizing swirl injectors completes it’s first static fire, and prepares for several more. Meanwhile, a full-scale hybrid rocket motor designed to be the first flight hybrid of Daedalus prepares for it’s first static fire.
Also, additional characterization of solid rocket propellant, roll-control system testing, and enhanced high performance propellant characterization all continue.
October 3rd, 2011:
Several Members attended the BALLS XX Launch in Black Rock Nevada. They test launched the booster section to the planned two stage rocket to an altitude of 10,500ft! Check out the pictures and get up to date info on the project in the Two Stage Section.
September 15th, 2011:
After a successful trip to LDRS and back, Daedalus members are at it again! With over 35 new members joining the club, it’s going to be a wild ride this semester! Concurrent with getting the new members up to speed will be prepping our new (as of yet unnamed) dual stage rocket for the 2011 BALLS XX Launch on the ancient alkaline beds of Black Rock, Nevada!
August 5th, 2011:
Daedalus members will be competing in LDRS XXX this year! We are also in talks with Sharp Entertainment from the Science Channel about covering our group and the entire competition for another great episode of Large, Dangerous Rocket Ships!
August 1st, 2011
The Launch of our brand new website! Take a look around and get acquainted with the more modern and updated Daedalus Website!
July 22nd, 2011
A huge thank you from everyone in Daedalus Astronautics (and I’m sure Air Devils too!) to Raytheon for their continued support of student groups at Arizona State University! Their generous donation to both groups will ensure plenty of research, progress in student built systems, and community outreach will be possible throughout the year to come!