SRL team members are encouraged to become certified in high-power rocketry through the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA), one of the two leading rocketry organizations in the United States. TRA offers Levels 1, 2, and 3 certifications. Each level’s requirements increase in complexity and their fulfillment allows participants to purchase and fly progressively powerful rocket motors. To further promote certification, SRL subsidizes the cost of build materials and motors.
Visit TRA’s website here.
Level 1 Certification – Fall 2022 & Spring 2023
This academic year, SRL will be encouraging new (and returning) members to enter into High Power Rocketry (HPR) by covering most of the costs of over 40 Level 1 certifications, including the rocket kit. Our goal is to get over 30 successful HPR certifications club-wide this academic year, most of which being L1s, with a few L2 and L3 certifications.
Level 1 certifications introduce the very basics of aerodynamics, rocket design, and assembly in a way that is easy to grasp without requiring prior knowledge or experience. The certification requires flyers to build a rocket utilizing a motor with an H or I impulse rating (up to 640 Newton-seconds).
The rockets will be assembled over a series of weekend workshops, with the certification flights taking place over weekends later in each semester. After the certification flights, a group of newly-certified members will be chosen to work together to construct a larger vehicle to fly on Level 2 and/or Level 3 class motors, which will primarily be used as a testbed for custom avionics.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to the certification team leads via email, or ping us on Slack.
David Tan (data5206@colorado.edu)
Hayden Yearout (hayden.yearout@colorado.edu)
Level 2 Certification
Level 2 certification flights can use J, K, or L motors (impulse ranging from 640.1 Newton-seconds to 5120 Newton-seconds). While electronics are not required for certification, they are encouraged to be flown, as this milestone is a precursor to obtaining a Level 3 certification. Level 2 certifications also require the completion of a written exam detailing various aspects of rocket design, aerodynamics, and solid rocket motor characteristics.
Level 3 Certification
Level 3 flights must use an M, N, or O motor. Designs must be approved by the organization before construction, and thorough documentation is required for the flyer to obtain their certification.
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