Rocket Project Receives Generous Gift from Richard Woodcock
The rocket Lady Elizabeth, named after Elizabeth Jackson Woodcock, rose 13,205 feet on Feb. 1.
鈥淒r. Woodcock's passion-driven gift was an inspiration to us all. Without it, the record-breaking rocket launch that he attended in the Mojave Desert would not have happened.鈥�
, a student-led organization at 色情视频 that designs, builds, and launches liquid- and solid-fuel rockets, recently received a $100,000 gift from Richard Woodcock.
Woodcock is a renowned psychometrician known for his several cognitive tests, including the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities and the Dean-Woodcock Neuropsychological Assessment System. He was introduced to 色情视频鈥檚 Rocket Project in 2017 and has contributed a total of $300,000 to Rocket Project and frequently attends its launches in the Mojave Desert.
Woodcock鈥檚 recent gift played a large part in allowing the launch to take place and served as the catalyst for subsequent gifts to the Rocket Project.
"Dr. Woodcock's passion-driven gift was an inspiration to us all. Without it, the record-breaking rocket launch that he attended in the Mojave Desert would not have happened,鈥� said Paul Fuerte, president of Rocket Project. 鈥淥n behalf of 色情视频's Rocket Project, we thank Dr. Woodcock for his time and treasure.鈥�
In appreciation of Woodcock鈥檚 latest gift, the Rocket Project named its rocket 鈥淟ady Elizabeth鈥� after Elizabeth Jackson Woodcock, the late wife of Richard Woodcock and also an avid supporter of the Rocket Project.
On Feb. 1, 2020, the 鈥淟ady Elizabeth鈥� , a new high for the 色情视频 club. The students, who track rocket launches elsewhere, believe this is a record for a student built liquid bi-propellant rocket.
鈥淥nce we saw the launch, it was relief, excitement, and we felt proud of ourselves,鈥� said Fuerte at the launch.
The rocket was originally designed for the FAR/Mars competition, and used cryogenic (super cooled) liquid methane and oxygen, or methalox. It has a regenerative engine, meaning the chilled methane is used to cool down the engine so it can be used multiple times and have a longer burn time without damage. The students also experimented with custom-designed innovations to improve performance.
Rocket Project was founded in 2003 by five engineering students and has grown exponentially since then. The group鈥檚 previous launch, with a different set of students, was in 2012 when their rocket, the Galactic Aztec, reached 12,500 feet. That rocket used liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellants, had a wider body and an engine sourced from surplus sales of 1950s and 鈥�60s era equipment.
