From Rocket APJ in 2018 to Rocket Midnight Sun 2022 has been a very nostalgic journey.
I fondly recall setting up the first Rocketry team. The Year was 2017 when a handful of highly driven and motivated engineering students from multiple stream gathered together for my advice on launching a Rocket. Their eager faces reflected their passion, purpose, commitment and dedication. Looking at them, I knew all they need is hand holding – guidance, support, sound technical & non-technical advice. I was glad that they thought of me as their Faculty Advisor. Probably because I have been & continue to be Faculty Advisor for multiple projects. After all, good engineering education is all about engineering competitions and ‘hands-on’ learning from projects. As you know, Sinhgad Institutes is known for excellence.
But Rocket, is a different ball game altogether. I suppose that’s why they call it ‘rocket science’.
This seemed to be a good challenge. STES Rocketry team was formed. An experimental sounding Rocket of certain dimensions and weight, capable of carrying a minimum 4 KG payload to an altitude of 10,000 feet was the project. All out efforts were to compete and win at the the world’s largest and most prestigious SA Cup 2018 at Las Cruces, NM Convention Centre and the Spaceport America Vertical Launch Area from 19 to 23 June 2018.
Our Honourable Vice-President Rohit Navale Sir gave the go-ahead and fully supported the project from the very outset itself. It was a proud moment for all of us when Respected Rachana Navale Ashtekar Vice President of Sinhgad Institutes unveiled Rocket APJ – named as tribute to India’s missile man and former President Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
We created history with our very first Rocket APJ at SA Cup 2018 in USA, competing with more than 100 teams from across the globe including from top notch Ivy League colleges. STES Rocketry team won many hearts, certificates and accolades, including ‘On the Spot’ Recognition and did all of us and the country proud. First Student Rocket from India to go up into the American skies is ours; from our STES Rocketry Team.
The winning streak of STES Rocketry team continues to this day.