WHAT IS LAUNCHPAD?
Launchpad is a student-led engineering initiative housed within the Programs branch of STARS.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to expand access to engineering education for youth across the Rio Grande Valley by offering mentorship, technical training, and hands-on project-based learning.
Community Focused
No experience required
No membership fees; open application
Community presence through tabling at public events and school visits
Online accessibility: recorded lectures, open documentation
Project Vortex will be the first high school student rocketry team of this scale in the Rio Grande Valley.
PROJECT VORTEX
COTS L3 Solid Rocket
Student-led build, and recovery
Target: 10,000 ft flight
Total impulse: 10,663 N-sec (2,397 lb-sec)
Peak Thrust: 595 lbs
Project Vortex is a student-led rocketry initiative by the Launchpad Branch of the South Texas Astronomical Society.
This program empowers local high school students to design, build, and launch a high-powered rocket using a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) kit, with a target altitude of 10,000 feet.
As the first accessible high-power rocketry project in the Rio Grande Valley, Project Vortex offers students hands-on experience in aerospace engineering, supported by mentorship and technical training.
AT FULL SCALE
FALL
(AUG-NOV)
- ADVERTISEMENT PERIOD, APPLICATIONS OPEN
- WORKSHOPS ON HIGH POWER ROCKETRY
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
LAUNCH WINDOW CLOSED
WINTER
(DEC-FEB)
- KIT INSTRUCTION BEGINS
- GUEST SPEAKER SERIES
- L0. L1 LAUNCH
- TEST READINESS REVIEW DELIVERABLE
LAUNCH WINDOW OPEN,
WEATHER STANDBY
SPRING
(APR-JUNE)
- BUILD PERIOD CONT.
- TEST READINESS FINAL CONFIRMATION
- FINAL DOCUMENTATION DELIVERABLE
- LAUNCH
LAUNCH WINDOW OPEN
Meet the Team
-
Julio Perez
STUDENT CO-LEAD
-
Rayyan farooqui
STUDENT CO-LEAD
-
Sabian Cardenas
ENGINEERING MENTOR
-
Hector Salinas
ENGINEERING MENTOR
-
Jaqueline Peña
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Meet the 2025 - 2026 cohort
-
Yaretzi Castaneda
Avionics Co-Lead
-
Leo Marsili
Avionics Co-Lead
-
Joaquin Rosas
Avionics Team
-
Jarluen Lieja
Avionics Team
-
Christopher Padron
Structures Co-Lead
-
Juan Garza
Structures Co-Lead
-
Samuel Salinas
Structures Team
-
Yuri Alaniz
Structures Team
-
Massimiliano Marin-Mera
Operations & Recovery Co-Lead
-
Jacob Rodriguez
Operations & Recovery Co-Lead
-
Aldo Araujo
Operations & Recovery Team
-
Paulina Melgarejo
Operations & Recovery Team
-
Kayla Cisneros
Business & Outreach Co-Lead
-
Sofia Garcia
Business & Outreach Co-Lead
APPLICATION
Applications for the 2025-2026 Program are currently closed. The 2026-2027 Program application will open in Fall 2026
For more information, please contact programs@starsocietyrgv.org
SPONSORSHIP TIERS
-
We gratefully accept donations of materials, services, equipment, or expertise. Recognition is based on estimated value and aligned with our three sponsorship tiers.
All in-kind sponsors receive:
Logo placement on all Project Vortex flight hardware that uses the donated product or service
Logo featured on the website and technical report
-
Logo on official website and technical report
Social media shout-out (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
Name displayed on community sponsor banner at launch events and STEM fairs
Recognition in classroom visit slides (inspiring future engineers!)
Optional feature in “Sponsor Spotlight” social posts
-
Small logo placed on rocket airframe
Invitation to in-person launch event + student showcase
Thank you message in final student video
Recognition in local press releases or event programs
Featured on sponsor wall during outreach exhibitions
Exclusive access to pre-release technical milestones and student Q&A session
-
Official project partner
Prominent logo on rocket body, team shirts, and outreach banners
Option to host a guest lecture or STEM workshop with our team
Logo placement on all printed promotional materials
Featured partner highlight in final project video and public presentations
Legacy listing on future Vortex builds and STARS Launchpad page
