A NASA sounding rocket blasted into space on August 12, carrying with it a scientific experiment designed and built by University of Hawaiʻi Community College students—marking the fifth time a Project Imua payload has reached space.
Windward CC student Ryan Vanairsdale and Honolulu CC student Teal Hoffman witnessed the launch at 12 a.m. HST from NASA‘s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
“That was really cool. I can’t think of anything else to say—it’s just really cool,” Vanairsdale exclaimed.
Hoffman added, “Whatever just happened, I did not expect, and we’re just hoping that our experiment is working.”
Common goal
The Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket reached an altitude of about 100 miles before parachuting into the Atlantic Ocean.
Among the eight student-built experiments from across the nation selected for the RockSat-X program, Project Imua Mission 14 aimed to test a sublimation-fueled motor in space conditions, advancing understanding of alternative propulsion systems.
The Project Imua team included seven students and staff from Windward CC and Honolulu CC. Windward CC students designed the deployment system and power distribution, and conducted data analysis, while Honolulu CC students developed video capture circuits and managed data handling.
“For me, Project Imua is about teamwork. Itʻs about two community college campuses coming together and working together towards a common goal,” Hoffman said.
Moving forward
After recovery from the ocean, students received their payload for data retrieval and post-flight analysis. The hands-on work is central to Project Imua’s mission—its name means “to move forward” in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi—offering UH Community College students real-world experience in high-power rocketry, engineering design and space science.
Read more stories from Project Imua
Since its first launch in 2015, Project Imua has given dozens of students the chance to contribute to space missions, work alongside NASA engineers and bring their classroom learning to space.
—By Kelli Abe Trifonovitch
