About Us
Our Mission
Every year, the Rocket Project at UCLA competes at the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition, where each team must launch and successfully recover a 10lb payload to either 10,000 or 25,000 ft. Our group is composed of students from various disciplines, including Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, and many others. We combine our skills and ingenuity in order to build upon the efforts and knowledge of each year. We strive to educate new members so that they may help us explore new technologies and systems. Last year, the Rocket Project at UCLA successfully developed and launched a parrallel-staged rocket to win the Dr. Gil Moore Award for Innovation. This year, our major work will involve the following: beginning production of a custom monopropellant engine, the continued development of a systems engineering team, and the exploration of new payload and airframe possibilities.
Our Leadership
Aaron Tiscareno
President
"My name is Tiscareno...Aaron Tiscareno. I may be a fourth year Aerospace Engineering major, but I still believe I have a lot to learn. My motto: live and learn."
John Harnsberger
Vice President
John is a second year in Aerospace Engineering, from Philadelphia, PA. He is our corporate liaison and internal manager for funding and systems.
Victor Huyan
Structures Manager
"Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering - from Seattle, WA. Enjoys movies, TV shows, classical music and instruments, and rockets. Looking forward to a great year!”
Anil Nair
Structures Chief Engineer
"3rd year Aerospace Engineer. I am responsible for the technical aspects of the rocket related to its structure, stability, and manufacturing."
Angelo Pacumio
Recovery Lead
"Hello! This is my third year studying Mechanical Engineering and working with Rocket Project. I love everything about UCLA: the campus, the opportunities, and most importantly the people."
Sam Dupas
Propulsion Chief Engineer
"Hi I'm Sam, the Propulsion Chief Engineer. I'm a 4th year Aerospace Engineering student, and when I'm not spending time working on rockets, I like hanging out with my friends and listening to music!"
Alex Tran
Propulsion Manager
"Hey! Didn't see you there! I'm a 4th year Aerospace Engineer. When I'm not managing the propulsion team, I'm out exploring foods that LA and OC have to offer."
Robert Dyro
Electronics Lead
"Junior. Aerospace engineering. Not a cynic. Not a believer. Not a rationalist. Not a strategist. Not a competitor. Not a finisher. Not a creator. Not a dreamer."
Eric Sangret
Systems Lead: Integration
"Hi I'm Eric! I'm a third year Mechanical Engineer. I love everything space-related and spent the last summer interning for Northrop Grumman. I like to do a little bit of everything, and I love swimming, video games, and going out hiking."
Kari Kawashima
Systems Lead: Structures & Propulsion
"4th year Mechanical Engineering major, Class of '17. Small but mighty. Musical enthusiast. The Mom Friend."
Brian Oceguera
Systems Lead: Electronics & Payload
"Hi! I'm a senior studying Applied Mathematics with a specialization in computing. I like to learn coding and listen to hip-hop in my free time."
Stacey Lewis
Safety Officer
"I'm a 2nd year Aerospace Engineering major and Rocket Project's Safety Officer. I enjoy cheesy sci-fi novels, viola-centric orchestral pieces, and Rube Goldberg machines."