ULA to Launch Rocket for Student Engagement Program; Tory Bruno Quoted

Interns from United Launch Alliance and Ball Aerospace are joining K-12 students to launch payloads in celebration of the Apollo 11 moon landing’s 50th anniversary.

ULA said Friday its interns will launch the 35-foot-tall Future Heavy Super Sport rocket with a variety of payloads developed by K-12 students and Ball Aerospace interns under the Student Rocket Launch program. The launch will take place from Fort Carson Army Post and reach a maximum altitude of 5.5K feet.

The program’s payloads span data sensors, rovers and a commemorative scale model of the Apollo 11 lunar spacecraft.

Participating K-12 students have the chance to win $5K for respective schools or represented organizations. The Student Rocket Launch aims to engage students with rocket- and payload-related activities.

“This year’s Student Rocket Launch honors the legacy of American leadership in space exploration and sets the stage for a new generation to build on that heritage,” said Tory Bruno, president and CEO at ULA.