The Structures Spaceshot team is responsible for the design and manufacturing of ISS's high-performance rockets, as well as the simulation and testing of each rocket’s flight trajectory, structural integrity, and aerodynamic behavior. The team is divided into two subteams: Structural Design and Analysis (SDA) and Fabrication. Through the work of both of these subteams, Structures encapsulates the full essence of “rocket science”, exploring developments in both the theoretical and the practical. 

In building rockets, members of Structures will gain a variety of experiences in composites manufacturing, including work with carbon fiber and fiberglass layups, X-Winder operation, CNC Machining, and additive manufacturing. On the design, analysis, and testing side, members will learn how to utilize a variety of industry-standard simulation and modeling software, including Siemens NX and ANSYS, in addition to several rocketry-specific simulation engines such as OpenRocket, RASAero, and ISS’s own proprietary software SILSIM. Design work will also teach many of the mathematical methods used in the aerospace industry, as well as many of the procedures and techniques used for in-house structural testing.

For new members, the Structures team offers a comprehensive array of student-made informational resources and video shorts covering many of the key concepts, techniques, and vocabulary used regularly in weekly work sessions. Mentorships are also available with senior members, which offer direct, hands-on experience and training with software, machines, and manufacturing techniques, as well as tours of Structures’ several on-campus workspaces. For more information, please view the Structures ISS wiki page and send a message to Structures Lead Ashley Sawa via email (amsawa2@illinois.edu) or Slack!

NO prior experience is necessary to join the Structures team, though much of Structures work also teaches concepts found in the following courses:

• AE 140: CAD

• AE 202: Aerospace Flight Mechanics

• AE 311: Incompressible Flow

• AE 312: Compressible Flow

• AE 321: Mechanics of Aerospace Structures

• AE 352: Aerospace Dynamical Systems

• AE 323: Applied Aerospace Structures

• AE 420: Finite Element Analysis

• AE 428: Mechanics of Composites

• AE 442 and 443: Aerospace Systems Design I and II

• MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Applications

• MATH 285: Differential Equations

• MSE 280: Engineering Materials

• ME 200: Thermodynamics

• TAM 451: Intermediate Solid Mechanics

Structures engineering encompasses a vast array of skills and has applications in positions at every large engineering company. Just a few possible career paths and research areas in Structures include:

• Simulations Engineering

• Systems Engineering

• Hypersonics

• Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

• Composites Research and Development

• Materials Testing

• Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity

• 3D Design

• Aircraft/Spacecraft Design

• Vibrations/Stress Analysis

• Thermal Analysis