The Launch Initiative at Tech (LIT) team focuses on competing in NASA's Student Launch Initiative. The

competition mirrors NASA's design cycle and requires the team to apply industry methods to all aspects of the project. This includes failure modes and analysis matrices, formal system requirements management, and more. The ultimate objective of the competition is to develop a launch vehicle and payload (which includes custom electronics and a small crew capsule) to fly to an altitude of 4,000 - 6,000 feet. Upon landing, the avionics system will transmit crucial data about the flight to a ground station. To achieve this mission, the team will conduct flight tests throughout the year, including multiple flights of a subscale launch vehicle.

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To support the team's competitive efforts and maintain RRC's mission of outreach, the

team will engage in several unique initiatives. For example, the High School Payload Challenge gives high school students the opportunity to design and build a secondary payload that will be integrated into LIT's rocket during test launches. This activity will provide the high school students with hands-on experience and opportunities to learn about rocketry and aerospace engineering. The team will also attend public events, organizing workshops and activities for children, and establish a strong social media presence through Instagram, LinkedIn, a podcast series, and local media publications.

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LIT is made up of about 25 members, consisting primarily of 1st-2nd year aerospace engineering

students. Because of this, many younger students have gained the opportunity to exercise leadership and take responsibility of complex systems at an early point in their college career. This experience helps students succeed in their classes and extracurricular endeavors and gives them skills that can be applied in the engineering workforce.