Astrohawk I & II

ASTROHAWK I

UMass Lowell Rocketry’s first Level 2 Rocket

Designed, built, and launched in 2018-2019, Astrohawk 1 was UMass Lowell’s first team rocket. With custom electronics based on a Raspberry PI for a payload, Astrohawk 1 flew on a Cessaroni K780 Blue powered to 8200ft. However, there was an issue with the drogue parachute deployment system that destroyed the avionics bay and prevented the main chute from deploying. Astrohawk crashed into the Vermont mud and sustained unrepairable damage. It is now being modified to hang from the ceiling of our home in the Lawrence Lin Makerspace at UMass Lowell.

ASTROHAWK II

UML Rocketry’s Return to Large-Scale Rockets

In the 2021-2022 Academic Year, several students worked on the design of Astrohawk II, looking to improve on the design of Astrohawk 1. Eventually, Astrohawk II was built, completed ground testing, and made its maiden flight on April 21, 2024. After a successful maiden flight, Astrohawk II is now being retrofitted with a Telemetrum flight computer to provide live telemetry for higher-altitude flights.

  • Camera 1 - Astrohawk II leaving the launch rail
  • Camera 2 - Astrohawk II liftoff
  • Camera 1 - Astrohawk II descending under main
  • Construction of booster section of Astrohawk II. Cutting of fiberglass airframe with wet band saw.
  • Construction of booster section of Astrohawk II. Cutting fin slots with dremel.
  • Construction of booster section of Astrohawk II. Cutting fin slots with motor mount assembly in the background.