USC Students Break Amateur Spaceflight Records with Aftershock II Rocket

Summary
Students from the University of Southern California’s Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL) achieved a groundbreaking feat with their rocket, *Aftershock II*, which broke several long-standing amateur spaceflight records. Launched on October 20, 2023, from Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the 14-foot rocket reached an altitude of 470,000 feet (143,300 meters), surpassing the previous record of 380,000 feet set in 2004. Traveling at Mach 5.5 (3,600 mph), *Aftershock II* also set a new amateur speed record.

The rocket was built entirely by undergraduate students and featured engineering innovations, including a powerful solid-propellant motor and advanced thermal protection systems like heat-resistant paint and titanium-coated fins. These upgrades ensured the rocket’s durability under extreme conditions.

This success follows RPL’s earlier milestone in 2019, when they became the first student team to send a rocket past the Kármán line, the boundary of space. Faculty praised the students’ minimal reliance on external guidance, showcasing their engineering expertise and innovation in amateur rocketry.

A team of undergraduate students from the University of Southern California’s Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL) shattered multiple amateur spaceflight records with their rocket *Aftershock II*. Launched on October 20, 2023, from Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the rocket soared to an altitude of 470,000 feet (143,300 meters), breaking the 20-year record of 380,000 feet set by China’s GoFast rocket. It reached hypersonic speeds of Mach 5.5 (3,600 mph), surpassing GoFast’s speed record as well.

Standing 14 feet tall and weighing 330 pounds, *Aftershock II* was entirely designed and built by USC undergraduates. Within two seconds of launch, it broke the sound barrier, and 85 seconds later, it left Earth’s atmosphere. After reaching its highest point, the rocket deployed a parachute for a safe descent, allowing the team to recover it for analysis.

The students implemented advanced engineering solutions, including heat-resistant paint, titanium-coated fins, and a new flight control unit called HASMTER. These innovations enabled the rocket to withstand extreme temperatures and maintain structural integrity. The titanium fins, exposed to intense heat, underwent anodization, turning them blue due to a chemical reaction.

*Aftershock II* is the latest milestone for RPL, which in 2019 became the first student-led team to launch a rocket past the Kármán line, the boundary of space. This accomplishment highlights the exceptional skill of USC’s students, who worked with minimal faculty assistance.

Dan Erwin, chair of USC’s Department of Astronautical Engineering, praised the project as “exceptionally ambitious,” showcasing the emerging talent of student engineers in the field of rocketry.

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