Student Launch Initiative
[Students Grades 7-12]
[Available: Nationally]
The NASA Student Launch Initiative, or SLI, involves middle and high school students in designing, building and testing reusable rockets with associated scientific payloads. This unique hands-on experience allows students to demonstrate proof-of-concept for their designs and gives previously abstract concepts tangibility.
Both new and returning teams construct the vehicle that is designed to reach an altitude of one mile above ground level, or AGL. In addition to actual vehicle performance, teams are also evaluated on design and other criteria. This educational experience culminates with a launch at Marshall Space Flight Center in the spring.
Teams can qualify to participate in the Student Launch Initiative by placing in the top 3 Level two teams at the Rockets for Schools competition held in Wisconsin or by placing in the top 18 teams at the Team America Rocketry Challenge, or TARC held in Virginia.
2006 SLI Results
> View pdf file (50KB)
2007 SLI Results
> View pdf file (69KB)
2008 SLI Teams:
--Benson High School Magnet Center, Omaha, N.E.
--Byron High School, Byron, Ill.
--Frenship High School, Wolfforth, Tx.
--Krueger Middle School, San Antonio, Tx.
--Lloyd C. Bird High School, Chesterfield, Va.
--Madison West High School, Madison, Wis.
--Millington High School, Millington, Mi.
--Plantation High School Team 1, Plantation, Fla.
--Plantation High School Team 2, Plantation, Fla.
--St. Andrews Lutheran Church and School, Park Ridge, Ill.
--Statesville Christian School, Statesville, N.C.
--W.G. Enloe High School, Raleigh, N.C.
--Washington County 4-H, Slinger, Wis.
--Weare Middle School/John Stark Regional High School, Weare, N.H.
--West Point-Beemer High School, West Point, Neb.
--Yough High School, Herminie, Penn.
Preliminary Design Review Requirement
> View pdf file (47KB)
Critical Design Review Requirements
> View pdf file (22KB)
Flight Readiness Review Requirements
> View pdf file (31KB)
2008 Advanced Rocketry Workshop: July 15-19, 2008
Huntsville, AL
Rocketry Links:
University Student Launch Initiative
> View site
Team America Rocketry Challenge
> View site →
Rockets for Schools
> View site →
Rockets Guide
> View site
National Association of Rocketry
> View site →
Who to Contact at NASA
Julie Clift/WILL Technology, SLI/USLI Projects Lead
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Academic Affairs Office
Mail Code HS30
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: (256) 961-1334
Fax: (256) 961-1521
E-mail:
julie.d.clift@nasa.gov
Sabrina Pearson/WILL Technology, SLI/USLI Projects Coordinator
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Academic Affairs Office
Mail Code HS30
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: (256) 961-0141
Fax: (256) 961-1521
E-mail:
sabrina.m.pearson@nasa.gov
Additional Contact Information
> View Pre-college contact information →
