Student Aeronautical Engineering Team
We build things that fly, sense, and move.
Project Flux is a student engineering team running six projects: two rockets, a myoelectric robotic arm, an active-flow-control splitter, a telemetry-and-simulation platform, and the wind tunnel that validates them all. We design, build, fly, and analyze — end to end.
Mission
One team, six projects, a shared engineering backbone.
We treat every project as a real engineering campaign: literature, hand-derivation, simulation, bench prototype, flight/field test, and published results. STRATOS is a controlled factorial rocket experiment; CHRONOS is its competition sibling; SYNAPSE is a biosignal-driven arm; PHASAR is active-flow-control research; CALIBER is the software that turns flight data into calibrated models; and FLOWTECH is the wind tunnel that grounds the aerodynamics in measurement.
Projects
What we're building
STRATOS
A 2×2 factorial study of Lyapunov-stable MRAC roll control — servo-canards vs. composite bend-twist fins across four Aerobee Hi rockets.
View project → Phase 1 · hand build PROJECT // 02SYNAPSE
A 22-DoF myoelectric, tri-inertial wearable interface driving dual tendon-driven robotic hands — sEMG + IMU sensor fusion.
View project → Concept · tunnel validation PROJECT // 03PHASAR
Active boundary-layer control via phase-locked transverse surface waves and resonance-tuned fluid-structure interaction.
View project → v0.1 · in development PROJECT // 04CALIBER
A real-world telemetry pipeline and simulation-model calibration platform — closing the loop between flight data and the 6-DOF sim.
View project → Build days · Aug 8–9 PROJECT // 05FLOWTECH
A garage-built subsonic wind-tunnel test stand for experimental aerodynamic-coefficient characterization — shared by STRATOS and PHASAR.
View project → Qual flights · Oct–Nov PROJECT // 06CHRONOS
A target-apogee, timed-recovery altitude demonstration vehicle for the American Rocketry Challenge — a physically separate rocket from STRATOS.
View project →Contact & Follow
Get in touch
Questions, mentorship, sponsorship, or just curious what we're up to? Reach out — and follow along as we rebuild our public presence.
Project 01 · Active Flight Control & Aerodynamics
Hardware in hand · L1 cert flight Aug 2STRATOS
Servo-canard Torque-Reducing Adaptive Tonality Orientation System
A 2×2 factorial analysis of Lyapunov-stable MRAC roll control using servo-canards and composite bend-twist fins — flown across four identical Aerobee Hi rockets (R1–R4).
The experiment
Two strategies, four rockets, one controlled study
Rockets roll naturally, and that roll is exactly the phenomenon we study. Across four identical 3" Madcow Aerobee Hi airframes we vary two factors: an active servo-canard controller running Model Reference Adaptive Control, and a passive set of bend-twist composite fins mounted on a bearing so they spin freely. Flying the full matrix isolates how each strategy damps roll — measured, not assumed.
The MRAC loop runs 500 Hz IMU → 25 Hz adaptive update → 50 Hz servo PWM, engaging ~1.5–1.7 s after ignition through the ~12 s coast to apogee. Aero coefficients are validated in FLOWTECH.
Flight campaign
- L1 certification flightAerotech I140W-14A cert motor, nose-cone ejection recovery, adult L1+ NAR Flier of Record present (JrHPP).
- Mission R-1 — Config ABaseline flight on the Aerotech I59WN experimental motor; record natural roll accumulation.
- Mission R-2 — Config BPassive free-spinning bearing-mounted bend-twist fins; evaluate passive roll damping.
- Mission R-3 — Config CActive MRAC canards; log closed-loop tracking through coast.
- Mission R-4 — Config DIntegrated active + passive; closes the full R1–R4 factorial flight set.
- Fair pipeline — CCCSEF → CSEF → ISEFPresent the four-rocket factorial study through the science-fair pipeline.
Vehicle spec
- AirframeMadcow 3" Aerobee Hi
- Layout3-fin · 21"+24" two-tube
- Cert motorAerotech I140W-14A
- ExperimentalAerotech I59WN
- Stability1.61 cal
- Flight computerESP32 (dual-core)
- Servos3× SPARKHOBBY DS239MG
- IMU/baro/GPSICM-42688-P · BMP390 · SAM-M10Q
- TelemetryRFD900x
- StatusPre-cert · EML 1→
Competitions & tracks
| CCCSEF → CSEF → ISEF (one pipeline) | Dec 1–15 reg ⚑ |
| Regeneron ISEF 2027 | May 8–14, 2027 |
| Breakthrough Junior Challenge | Fall window |
| ISSDC | Varies |
| RWDC (Real-World Design) | Spring |
Project 02 · Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Interfaces
Phase 1 · ORCA hand buildSYNAPSE
Surface-EMG and Yoked-Inertial Network for Anthropomorphic Peripheral Synthesis and Execution
A 22-DoF myoelectric and tri-inertial wearable interface for dual tendon-driven robotic manipulators — sEMG gesture control fused with IMU arm-pose estimation.
What it is
A biosignal-driven, tendon-actuated arm
SYNAPSE is our platform for actuation, embedded control, and biosignal processing. A tendon-driven ORCA hand (open-source, ETH Zürich) is driven by 16 micro-servos; Dynamixel axes and a wrist extend it into an arm; an 8-channel sEMG band reads muscle intent; and yoked IMU bands estimate arm pose. The end goal is full sEMG + IMU fusion with inverse kinematics and dual-arm collision avoidance.
We prove the loop first — a single MG90S servo under Arduino + Python arrow-key control — before scaling to ORCA and Dynamixel.
Build phases
- Phase 1 — ORCA hand hardwarePrint and string the tendon-driven ORCA hand; seat 16× Feetech HL-3915 servos and spools.
- Phase 2 — sEMG band8-ch ADS1299 AFE + ESP32-S3, custom 4-layer PCB, BLE streaming at 500 SPS.
- Phase 3 — Gesture classificationCNN/LSTM + random-forest classification and TCN-LSTM continuous regression (Ninapro).
- Phase 4 — IMU fusionICM-42688-P + ESP32-S3 IMU bands; Mahony filter, dual-IMU quaternion elbow fusion.
- Phase 5 — Full fusion + IKCombined sEMG + IMU fusion, inverse kinematics (ikpy/DH), dual-arm collision avoidance.
System spec
- Degrees of freedom22 (dual)
- HandORCA tendon-driven
- Fingers16× Feetech HL-3915
- Arm axesMX-106T · MX-64T · XC430
- sEMG AFEADS1299 · 8-ch
- ControllerPortenta H7 + ESP32-S3
- PrinterElegoo Centauri Carbon
- StatusPhase 1 · EML 1→
Competitions
| Conrad Challenge | Oct 30 · Jan 8 ⚑ |
| NRC (Nat'l Robotics Challenge) | ~Feb 15 reg ⚑ |
| TSA Engineering Design | Feb state |
| Samsung Solve for Tomorrow | Fall–winter |
Project 03 · Active Flow Control & Smart Materials
Concept · wind-tunnel validationPHASAR
Phase-locked Harmonic Actuated Surface for Aerodynamic Resonance
Active boundary-layer control via phase-locked transverse surface waves and resonance-tuned fluid-structure interaction — a driven front-splitter surface that reduces drag.
What it is
Steering the boundary layer with traveling waves
PHASAR drives a splitter surface with a phase-locked transverse traveling wave to actively manage the boundary layer and delay flow separation. It sits at the intersection of four disciplines: fluid dynamics (separated-flow control), structural vibration (cantilever dynamics), biomimetics (dolphin ultrasonic microvibration drag reduction), and control (phase-locked-loop tracking of the driven mode).
Sub-threads include adjoint-based optimal actuation for separated flow, nonlocal cantilever-beam paradoxes, and robust backbone tracking via PLL — validated in FLOWTECH with a PLL + FFT pipeline.
Progress timeline
- Concept & Diamond Challenge initConcept definition, advisor screening, and early design write-up.
- Wind-tunnel baselineMount the splitter assembly in FLOWTECH; capture baseline acoustic-resonance data.
- Research paper & submissionsPackage fluid-separation data and results into the competition entries.
At a glance
- TypeActive flow control
- MechanismPhase-locked surface waves
- TrackingPLL + FFT pipeline
- ValidationSmoke + wind tunnel
- Shares infra withSTRATOS · FLOWTECH
- StatusConcept · EML 1
Competitions
| MIT THINK | Jan 1 app ⚑ |
| Diamond Challenge | ~Jan 15 ⚑ |
| Genius Olympiad | ~Mar 7 ⚑ |
Project 04 · Flight Software, Data Ingestion & System Identification
v0.1 · in developmentCALIBER
Computational Avionics & Launch Ingestion Base for Empirical Refinement
A real-world telemetry pipeline and simulation-model calibration platform — it ingests flight data, compares it to a 6-DOF model, and refines the physics until the sim matches reality.
What it is
Turning flight data into calibrated models
CALIBER is the software backbone of the rocketry program. It ingests raw telemetry — RFD900x downlink and on-board flash logs — cleans and fuses it, then runs it against a 6-DOF rigid-body simulation built on OpenRocket, OpenMotor, AeroVECTOR and OpenFOAM. Where sim and flight disagree, system identification refines aerodynamic and motor coefficients and feeds better priors back into STRATOS and CHRONOS.
Every variable is derived from first principles and documented in the open. It shares the ingestion pipeline with the team's ANOVA/statistics stack, and ships as the Congressional App Challenge entry.
Version roadmap
- v0.1 — 6-DOF core + ingestionRigid-body flight-dynamics engine and a telemetry loader for RFD900x + flash logs.
- v0.2–0.4 — Motors, aero, Monte CarloMotor DB / thrust curves → aero & stability → tolerances and Monte-Carlo dispersion.
- v0.5–0.7 — Sim-vs-flight calibrationCompare predictions to real R1–R4 logs; system-ID to refine coefficients; dynamic-canard / MRAC-PID-LQR modeling.
- v0.8–1.0 — CFD, CAD, public releaseCFD coupling → CAD integration → v1.0 public release with docs and full derivations.
At a glance
- TypeFlight software / sim
- Core6-DOF rigid body
- IngestsRFD900x + flash telemetry
- IntegratesOpenRocket · OpenMotor
- AeroVECTOR · OpenFOAM
- MethodSystem identification
- LicenseOpen-source (GitHub)
- Statusv0.1 · EML 1→
Project 05 · Experimental Test Infrastructure & Aerodynamics
Build days · Aug 8–9FLOWTECH
Fluid-dynamics Laboratory for Optimized Wind-tunnel Testing & Evaluation of Coefficient Heuristics
A subsonic wind-tunnel test stand for experimental aerodynamic-coefficient characterization — the measurement backbone that grounds STRATOS and PHASAR in real data.
What it is
Where the aerodynamics get measured, not guessed
FLOWTECH is a garage-built subsonic wind tunnel: a plywood plenum with a bell-mouth intake, high-power blowers, a slip-ring for rotating tests, and sensorized walls. It exists to characterize aerodynamic coefficients experimentally — canard and fin aero for STRATOS, and driven-surface flow for PHASAR — so both research programs can validate their models against hardware.
Test data flows into the same pipeline CALIBER uses, closing the loop from tunnel measurement to calibrated simulation.
Build & commissioning
- Build Day 1 — plenum & bell-mouthAssemble plenum, seal joints, integrate bell-mouth, check slip-ring fit-up.
- Build Day 2 — blowers & sensorsInstall blowers, integrate wall sensors, low-velocity boundary-layer burn-in.
- Baseline characterizationExit-velocity profile mapping and friction/velocity sweeps.
- Config A–D validation sweepsCanard/fin aero for STRATOS and driven-surface flow for PHASAR.
At a glance
- TypeSubsonic test stand
- StructurePlywood plenum + bell-mouth
- DriveHigh-power blowers
- Rotating testsSlip-ring
- InstrumentationWall sensors · PLL + FFT
- ServesSTRATOS · PHASAR
- StatusBuild Aug 8–9
Role
Enabling infrastructure — no direct competition entry. FLOWTECH's measurements underpin the research submissions of STRATOS (science-fair pipeline) and PHASAR (MIT THINK, Diamond, Genius Olympiad).
Project 06 · Precision Vehicle Design & Competition Propulsion
Qual flights · Oct–NovCHRONOS
Competition High-precision Rocket for Optimized Navigation & Overhead Sensing
A target-apogee, timed-recovery altitude demonstration vehicle for the American Rocketry Challenge — a physically separate rocket from STRATOS, led by Niketh.
What it is
Precision, not power — hit the number
CHRONOS is built for the American Rocketry Challenge, where the score rewards precision: reach a target apogee and land within a target flight time, with the sum of the two best qualification flights scored as close to zero as possible. It's an original-design vehicle with an ESP32 control sleeve, flown through NAR-observed qualification windows toward the national finals.
Team of three (with room for DVAEC add-on subsystems up to ten). Every flight needs an adult L1+ NAR Flier of Record present (JrHPP).
Campaign timeline
- Build — parts list, jigs, finsMaster BOM, engine-mount alignment jigs, fiberglass fin sets, control-sleeve electronics.
- Qualification window 1First NAR-observed qualification flight attempts.
- Qualification window 2Second qualification attempts; refine toward target apogee/time.
- National registrationSubmit ARC national registration.
- Final qualification flightsLock top qualification scores before the deadline.
- National FinalsFly the final configuration under national-finals rules (if top 100).
At a glance
- ProgramARC standalone
- ObjectiveTarget apogee + timed recovery
- DesignOriginal (not a kit)
- AvionicsESP32 control sleeve
- Team3 (up to 10 w/ DVAEC)
- LeadNiketh
- StatusBuild · pre-qual
Competition
| ARC registration | ~Dec 6 ⚑ |
| Final qual flight | ~Mar 30 ⚑ |
| National Finals · Great Meadow VA | May 15–16 |
Crew
The team
Four members, four ownership areas — integration & research lead, robotics & electronics, CAD & launch operations, and data systems. Together we take each project from first principles to flight, field, and published results. We also run DVAEC, our school engineering club.
Kanishk Gilhotra
Integration, program management, and research lead — owns STRATOS control loops and the CALIBER sim, and serves as cert/launch pilot.
Niketh
CAD, printing, and the CHRONOS ARC rocket; control-sleeve electronics, launch-ops support, and FLOWTECH wind-tunnel co-build.
Mugunthsrikanth Saravanakumar
SYNAPSE arm assembly, electronics, and sEMG hardware; documentation, and Conrad Challenge lead.
Inba Gururaj
Programming, validation, and assembly support; owns the ANOVA / statistics pipeline and the CALIBER data operations.
Join / collaborate
Want to build with us?
We're always open to teammates, mentors, and sponsors. Reach out and tell us what you're into.
Schedule
Timeline & competitions
Every deadline and milestone across all projects, chronological — Aug 2026 through June 2027. ⚑ marks a hard deadline. A leading ~ means the date is approximate.
| Date | Deadline / milestone | Project | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1–2, 2026 | STRATOS — L1 certification flight (Helm CA) | STRATOS | Flight |
| Aug 8–9 | FLOWTECH — wind-tunnel build days | FLOWTECH | Build |
| Aug 10 | DVAEC club orientation | Team | Milestone |
| Aug 11 | FLOWTECH — baseline characterization | FLOWTECH | Test |
| ~Aug 28 | Conrad Challenge — Activation Stage opens | SYNAPSE | Window |
| ~Sep 14–20 | Del Norte Launch 1 — Mission R-1 (Config A) | STRATOS | Flight |
| Fall window | Congressional App Challenge — submit app + source | CALIBER | Submission |
| Oct 1–31 | ARC — qualification flight window 1 | CHRONOS | Window |
| ~Oct 12–18 | Del Norte Launch 2 — Mission R-2 (Config B) | STRATOS | Flight |
| Late Oct | CCCSEF — registration opens | STRATOS | Window |
| Oct 30 ⚑ | Conrad Challenge — Activation Stage closes | SYNAPSE | Deadline |
| Fall window | Breakthrough Junior Challenge — explainer video | STRATOS | Submission |
| Nov 1 | MIT THINK — applications open | PHASAR | Window |
| Nov 1–30 | ARC — qualification flight window 2 | CHRONOS | Window |
| Mid-Nov ⚑ | TSA Engineering Design — priority chapter affiliation | SYNAPSE | Deadline |
| Nov 15 | Genius Olympiad — applications open | PHASAR | Window |
| ~Nov 16–22 | Del Norte Launch 3 — Mission R-3 (Config C) | STRATOS | Flight |
| Dec 1–15 ⚑ | CCCSEF — project registration due | STRATOS | Deadline |
| ~Dec 6 ⚑ | American Rocketry Challenge — national registration | CHRONOS | Deadline |
| ~Dec 14–20 | Del Norte Launch 4 — Mission R-4 (Config D) · closes R1–R4 | STRATOS | Flight |
| Jan 1, 2027 ⚑ | MIT THINK — application due | PHASAR | Deadline |
| Jan 8 ⚑ | Conrad Challenge — Innovation Stage (brief + video + website) | SYNAPSE | Deadline |
| ~Jan 15 ⚑ | Diamond Challenge — written concept narrative | PHASAR | Deadline |
| Jan 30–31 | MIT THINK — semifinalists / winners announced | PHASAR | Result |
| ~Feb 15 ⚑ | NRC (National Robotics Challenge) — registration | SYNAPSE | Deadline |
| Feb 15–21 | CA State TSA Conference — Engineering Design | SYNAPSE | Event |
| ~Feb 27 | Conrad Challenge — finalists announced | SYNAPSE | Result |
| ~Mar 7 ⚑ | Genius Olympiad — application deadline | PHASAR | Deadline |
| Mar 1–15 | CCCSEF — regional fair judging (Contra Costa County) | STRATOS | Event |
| ~Mar 30 ⚑ | ARC — final qualification flight deadline | CHRONOS | Deadline |
| Spring | RWDC (Real-World Design Challenge) | STRATOS | Event |
| Apr 3–5 | NRC — competition (Marion, OH) | SYNAPSE | Event |
| ~Apr 10–11 | CSEF — CA State fair (Cal Lutheran Univ, Thousand Oaks) | STRATOS | Event |
| Apr 22–25 | Conrad Challenge — Innovation Summit (Space Center Houston) | SYNAPSE | Event |
| Early May | Diamond Challenge — Limitless World Summit | PHASAR | Event |
| May 8–14 ⚑ | Regeneron ISEF 2027 (LA Convention Center) | STRATOS | Event |
| May 15–16 ⚑ | ARC — National Finals (Great Meadow, VA) | CHRONOS | Event |
| Early June | Genius Olympiad — competition (RIT, NY) | PHASAR | Event |
| June | National TSA Conference (National Harbor, MD) | SYNAPSE | Event |
Legend — ⚑ hard deadline · amber date: confirmed · ~ / window: approximate, confirm with organizer. ISSDC and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow run on rolling windows not yet fixed.