Student Launch Initiative
[Students Grades 7-12]
[Available: Nationally]
The NASA Student Launch Initiative, or SLI, involves middle and high school students in designing, building and testing reusable rockets with associated scientific payloads. This unique hands-on experience allows students to demonstrate proof-of-concept for their designs and gives previously abstract concepts tangibility.
Both new and returning teams construct a rocket that is designed to reach an altitude of one mile above ground level, or AGL. In addition to actual vehicle performance, design and other criteria are also evaluated for each team's rocket. This educational experience culminates with a launch near Marshall Space Flight Center in the spring.
Teams can qualify to participate in the Student Launch Initiative by placing in the top level two teams at the Rockets for Schools competition held in Wisconsin or by placing in the top at the Team America Rocketry Challenge, or TARC held in Virginia.
NASA Student Launch Projects are sponsored by ATK Launch Systems. The annual launch event is hosted at Bragg Farms in Toney, Ala., and launch services are provided by the local National Association of Rocketry chapter.
> 2009-2010 Student Launch Initiative Handbook
2010 Launch Dates: Coming Soon!
Bragg Farms, Toney, AL
2009 - 2010 SLI Teams:
-- Dean Ray Stucky Middle School, Towanda, Kan.
-- Hart County 4-H, Munfordville, Ky.
-- Ingraham High School, Seattle, Wash.
-- Krueger Middle School, San Antonio, Texas
-- Madison West High School Team 1, Madison, Wis.
-- Madison West High School Team 2, Madison, Wis.
-- Mulberry Grove High School, Mulberry Grove, Ill.
-- Northwest High School, Fort Worth, Texas
-- Persidio High School, Persidio, Texas
-- The Phelps School, Malvern, Pa.
-- Plantation High School, Plantation, Fla.
-- St. Thomas High School, Houston, Texas
-- THRUST The Blue Moon Crew, Sheboygan, Wis.
-- W.G. Enloe High School, Raleigh, N.C.
Rocketry Links:
University Student Launch Initiative
> View site
Team America Rocketry Challenge
> View site →
Rockets for Schools
> View site →
Rockets Guide
> View site
Adventures in Rocket Science Guide
> View site
National Association of Rocketry
> View site →
2005 - 2006 SLI Results
> View pdf file (50KB) →
2006 - 2007 SLI Results
> View pdf file (69KB) →
Who to Contact at NASA:
Julie Clift/WILL Technology, SLI/USLI Projects Lead
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Academic Affairs Office
Mail Code HS30
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-961-1334
Fax: 256-961-1521
E-mail:
julie.d.clift@nasa.gov
Al Krause/WILL Technology, SLI/USLI Projects Coordinator
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Academic Affairs Office
Mail Code HS30
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-961-1354
Fax: 256-961-1521
E-mail:
al.krause@nasa.gov
Eddie Jeffries/Jacobs ESTS Group, SLI/USLI Technical Coordinator
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Academic Affairs Office
Mail Code HS30
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-544-0399
Fax: 256-961-1521
E-mail:
edward.m.jeffries@nasa.gov
Additional Contact Information
> View Pre-college contact information
NASA Student Opportunities Podcast
Listen to archived interviews with students who participated in the Student Launch Initiative. (Note: Content was accurate at the time of publication.)
> John Leichty
