Hello all, my name is Thomas. I've been lurking on this forum for several years (and only for the past year or so with an account), but I figured it was time to make some noise.
I am currently a student at SDSU working to finish my master's in aerospace, researching combustion instability in liquid rocket engines. This is my fifth year of living in San Diego (just finished my undergrad after the first four years), but I also have an occasional presence in NorCal, Central Nevada, and occasionally at small events across the country.
I've been involved in rocketry to some level since my dad introduced me to it when I was very young (early 2000s (yeah, not *that* long ago)). I've been messing with LPR and MPR ever since, and graduated to HPR towards the end of high school. Since then I've had the time and budget to reach Level 2, and I am gathering the time, money, and effort to go for 3 sometime soonish. I like building "normal" rockets, but I also love the weird stuff. I've forayed into monocopters, garden gnomes, and even a (model) wedding cake rocket for a wedding. Until recently, it's all been commercial rocket motors, but I've been working with some mentors and textbooks to arm myself and start in experimental motors.
In terms of other rocketry shenanigans, I also have liquid and hybrid experience. I've been involved in SDSU Rocket Project for over 4 years now, and was the president last year. On that team I had heavy involvement in methalox and ethalox rocket engines, and the systems that support them. I've also had engineering jobs at two companies during my summer breaks where I've worked on industry-scale hybrid propulsion systems.
I am most active in Tripoli San Diego and can be found out at Holtville semi-frequently. I'm also out at Friends of Amateur Rocketry on occasion, either with my university rocket team or with friends. In the past year, I've also helped Hot Nozzle Society in their mission to bring more people into the hobby.
I am currently a student at SDSU working to finish my master's in aerospace, researching combustion instability in liquid rocket engines. This is my fifth year of living in San Diego (just finished my undergrad after the first four years), but I also have an occasional presence in NorCal, Central Nevada, and occasionally at small events across the country.
I've been involved in rocketry to some level since my dad introduced me to it when I was very young (early 2000s (yeah, not *that* long ago)). I've been messing with LPR and MPR ever since, and graduated to HPR towards the end of high school. Since then I've had the time and budget to reach Level 2, and I am gathering the time, money, and effort to go for 3 sometime soonish. I like building "normal" rockets, but I also love the weird stuff. I've forayed into monocopters, garden gnomes, and even a (model) wedding cake rocket for a wedding. Until recently, it's all been commercial rocket motors, but I've been working with some mentors and textbooks to arm myself and start in experimental motors.
In terms of other rocketry shenanigans, I also have liquid and hybrid experience. I've been involved in SDSU Rocket Project for over 4 years now, and was the president last year. On that team I had heavy involvement in methalox and ethalox rocket engines, and the systems that support them. I've also had engineering jobs at two companies during my summer breaks where I've worked on industry-scale hybrid propulsion systems.
I am most active in Tripoli San Diego and can be found out at Holtville semi-frequently. I'm also out at Friends of Amateur Rocketry on occasion, either with my university rocket team or with friends. In the past year, I've also helped Hot Nozzle Society in their mission to bring more people into the hobby.
to the forum. For a young guy you sure have a lot of experience.
