The Department’s mission is to turn our students into future engineering leaders who will make an impact on the world. Student projects, organizations and research offer unique opportunities for our students to network with peers and faculty, travel to national conferences and competitions and explore possible career paths while building up a strong resume. In addition to these valuable benefits, our students also gain important technical knowledge and critical thinking skills. The real leaders in ASE/EM are the alumni, parents, corporate partners and friends who provide financial support to our students. 

WIALD Weather Balloon

The Women in Aerospace for Leadership and Development organization is building two weather balloons this semester, with varying payloads (one of which will include a camera). The goal of this project is to test the idea for a new ASE undergraduate course, which will be implemented primarily for first year students. Total cost of equipment and balloon: $2,000

Quadcopter Project

The UT Unmanned Aerial Vehicles team is pursuing the construction of a small autonomous rotor-craft that may be entered into competition. Equipment needed consists of Single Board Computers (SBCs), GPS modules, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), motors, rangefinders and building supplies. Students will also need funds to cover travel costs to competition. Total cost: $9,000

Rocket Supplies

The Longhorn Rocket Association (LRA) is planning to launch 45 low-powered and five high-powered rockets this year. In order to build these rockets, LRA will need to purchase supplies such as fiberglass, epoxy, avionics and solid rocket motors. To build all the rockets this year will cost approximately $10,000.

Design/Build/Fly

The UT Design/Build/Fly (DBF) team is developing a radio-controlled airplane for the annual AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition. The competition will be hosted by Raytheon Missile Systems in Tuscon, AZ in April 2013. Building supplies will mainly consist of composite materials, hobby rocket payloads, testing equipment and electric motors. Travel costs for the competition and building supplies are estimated to be $13,500.

To learn more about the ASE/EM student projects and/or to support our teams, please contact Amanda Brown at 512-471-4046 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it