Young man working with mechanical parts at a desk with tools, a smartphone, and a wrench.

WHAT IS LAUNCHPAD?

Launchpad is a student-led engineering initiative housed within the Programs branch of STARS.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to expand access to engineering education for youth across the Rio Grande Valley by offering mentorship, technical training, and hands-on project-based learning.

Young man working with mechanical parts at a desk with tools, a smartphone, and a wrench.

Community Focused

  • No experience required

  • No membership fees; open application

  • Community presence through tabling at public events and school visits

  • Online accessibility: recorded lectures, open documentation

PROJECT VORTEX

COTS L3 Solid Rocket

Student-led build, and recovery

Target: 10,000 ft flight

Total impulse: 10,663 N-sec (2,397 lb-sec)

Peak Thrust: 595 lbs

Project Vortex is a student-led rocketry initiative by the Launchpad Branch of the South Texas Astronomical Society.

This program empowers local high school students to design, build, and launch a high-powered rocket using a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) kit, with a target altitude of 10,000 feet.

As the first accessible high-power rocketry project in the Rio Grande Valley, Project Vortex offers students hands-on experience in aerospace engineering, supported by mentorship and technical training.

AT FULL SCALE

FALL
(AUG-NOV)

- ADVERTISEMENT PERIOD, APPLICATIONS OPEN

- WORKSHOPS ON HIGH POWER ROCKETRY

- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS

LAUNCH WINDOW CLOSED

WINTER
(DEC-FEB)

- KIT INSTRUCTION BEGINS

- GUEST SPEAKER SERIES

- L0. L1 LAUNCH

- TEST READINESS REVIEW DELIVERABLE

LAUNCH WINDOW OPEN,
WEATHER STANDBY

SPRING
(APR-JUNE)

- BUILD PERIOD CONT.

- TEST READINESS FINAL CONFIRMATION

- FINAL DOCUMENTATION DELIVERABLE

- LAUNCH

LAUNCH WINDOW OPEN

Meet the Team

  • Portrait of a woman with wavy blonde hair and a nose piercing, wearing a red top and a necklace, smiling in a wooden outdoor setting.

    Jaqueline Peña

    Programs and Curriculum Specialist

  • A young man in a suit and tie standing outdoors with trees and buildings in the background.

    Sabian Cardenas

    ENGINEER MENTOR

  • Smiling woman with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a blue top, standing among green plants in a greenhouse or botanical setting.

    Julio Perez

    CO-LEAD

  • Young man with short black hair, smiling, wearing a blue suit and light blue shirt, standing outside near a brick building with greenery.

    Rayyan farooqui

    CO-LEAD

TEAM STRUCTURE

Subteam Descriptions

  • Build and program a flight computer to collect data and deploy recovery systems.

  • Design and fabricate a rocket frame using composites

  • Handles fundraising, sponsorships, branding, public engagement, and media presence. Coordinates community outreach, merchandise, and school communication.

  • Plan the mission, manage launch logistics, reteieve rocket

APPLICATION

The application for the 2025-2026 school year will become available in the fall.

  • Requirements:
    Must be a high school student in the Brownsville area

  • Show interest and curiosity for systems engineering, mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering.

  • 1 recommendation letter from a STEM subject teacher

For more information please contact programs@starsocietyrgv.org

Six young people in a room with tables displaying model rockets, smiling at the camera. The room has a large screen on the wall and black walls with soundproofing panels.
Two young men assembling a cardboard or wooden structure at a table, with various tools and supplies around them.

SPONSORSHIP TIERS

  • We gratefully accept donations of materials, services, equipment, or expertise. Recognition is based on estimated value and aligned with our three sponsorship tiers.

    All in-kind sponsors receive:

    • Logo placement on all Project Vortex flight hardware that uses the donated product or service

    • Logo featured on the website and technical report

    • Logo on official website and technical report

    • Social media shout-out (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)

    • Name displayed on community sponsor banner at launch events and STEM fairs

    • Recognition in classroom visit slides (inspiring future engineers!)

    • Optional feature in “Sponsor Spotlight” social posts

    • Small logo placed on rocket airframe

    • Invitation to in-person launch event + student showcase

    • Thank you message in final student video

    • Recognition in local press releases or event programs

    • Featured on sponsor wall during outreach exhibitions

    • Exclusive access to pre-release technical milestones and student Q&A session

    • Official project partner

    • Prominent logo on rocket body, team shirts, and outreach banners

    • Option to host a guest lecture or STEM workshop with our team

    • Logo placement on all printed promotional materials

    • Featured partner highlight in final project video and public presentations

    • Legacy listing on future Vortex builds and STARS Launchpad page