Mission

This project team competes in the Friends of Amateur Rocketry Dollar-Per-Foot (FAR DPF) Challenge. This competition awards a dollar for every foot off the launch rail for the student team that successfully launches and recovers their completely student developed liquid propellant rocket at the FAR Launch Facility in the Mojave Desert!

ARA’s FAR DPF Team is working hard to not only win big at the FAR DPF competition but also break the liquid fueled collegiate record and reach 25,000 feet in altitude, becoming the 9th university team in history - 1st among the SEC universities - to successfully achieve liquid propellant rocket flight

Progress

Water Flow
​September 2021

With water in place of reactive propellants for initial tests, we can iterate quickly while validating system architecture and tuning pressures.

Cold Flow
​April 2022

Using liquid nitrogen, we confirm safety and performance of the oxidizer tank and feed system under cryogenic conditions.
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Hot Fire
​May 2022

With kerosene and liquid oxygen loaded, our first hot fire achieved stable startup and produced thrust for a targeted three seconds.

Hot Fire
April 2024

Although not the most optimal, we achieved a second hot fire with our system in a new configuration in April 2024, one step closer to our ultimate goal of launching.

Hot Fire
​October 2024

Hot Fire
​April 2025

Hot Fire
​November 2024