Intern Rockets
ABOUT THE INTERN ROCKET PROGRAM
Summer interns at many ULA sites have the option to design, build, refurbish and launch sport rockets. The tradition began in Colorado and branched out to interns across the company supporting multi-year rocket projects. Now, volunteer interns and mentors build rockets at their own sites –a hands-on opportunity to work with hardware and get to know more experienced industry professionals.
Interns of all backgrounds, experience levels and job function can participate – mentors work with everyone to create safe, hands-on experiences for everyone.
Hands-on STEM from kindergarten through graduate school
In Colorado, ULA teams up with Ball Aerospace to support the Student Rocket Launch -- a hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) project for students from kindergarten through graduate school. Summer interns at ULA and Ball can volunteer their time to build several rockets (ULA interns) and payloads (Ball interns) to be launched at the end of the summer. Elementary, middle and high school student teams can apply to build payloads.
The Student Rocket Launch simulates a real launch campaign so the interns can experience what the process looks like from start to finish on a smaller scale. United Launch Alliance’s real-life launch campaigns stretch over several years, and the Student Rocket Launch compacts that into seven to ten weeks.
Submitting Payload Applications
Payloads are objects, experiments or instruments launched on and deployed (if desired) from the rocket. A payload can be almost anything a team can create within the provided guidelines.
2020 Intern Rocket Update:
ULA has made the difficult decision to cancel our intern rocket program and the Student Rocket Launch event for 2020 due to the increasing uncertainty around our ability to secure a launch location in the current environment and need for everyone (K-12 teams, mentors and interns) to respect social distancing guidance. Safeguarding health and safety of everyone involved has always been our first priority, and protecting our participants and communities is too important to continue this year’s program.
Thank you for your commitment and passion. The Student Rocket Launch program is a unique way to connect with future rocket scientists, engineers and space entrepreneurs. We look forward to working with our K-12 teams, volunteer mentors and interns every year; this year, however, we need to focus on safeguarding our communities’ health and safety.
We haven’t finalized our plans for 2021 but will reach out with an update when they are solidified.
