Mouser Electronics empowering student space innovation

“Curiosity is the essence of our existence by Gene Cernan.” Mouser is honored to sponsor, ThrustMIT a student initiative that dares to explore the unknown world through their student-run rocketry team. ThrustMIT is set to compete at the Spaceport America Cup 2021, located at the renowned Spaceport America Vertical Launch Area.

Mouser Electronics will support ThrustMIT through its electronic components sponsorship for the design and development of their high-power-rocketry design. Spaceport America Cup, earlier known as Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition, is the biggest platform in the world for the undergraduate and postgraduate students to showcase their rocket engineering skills. Spaceport America Cup challenges student teams to design and develop next-generation rocketry. The competing team will launch solid, liquid, and hybrid propellant rockets to target altitudes of 10,000 and 30,000 feet.

In 2018, ThrustMIT had a debut at the Spaceport America Cup, during which the team won the Spot Award for the design of the rocket. ThrustMIT launched its first sounding rocket (Vyom) at the competition during 2019. The rocket, fully made in-house, reached the apogee of 4,000 ft, and was recovered successfully.

ThrustMIT will be competing for the 3rd consecutive year at the Spaceport America Cup. Mouser supports ThrustMIT in building its prototype by providing electronic components that will help them in designing better rocketry. The team uses Mide energy harvesting modules, a piezo transducer and energy harvester, in their Vyom rocketry design. Also, the team will be using carbon fiber for its high strength-to-weight ratio. The one area of exception is the avionic bay, which houses the flight computer where carbon fiber entraps electromagnetic signals meant for live telemetry.