SEDS-UCF
From MMAE
The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS-UCF) is an independent, student-based organization which promotes the exploration and development of space. SEDS pursues this mission by educating people about the benefits of space, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and by inspiring people through involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focusing the enthusiasm of young people is the key to our future in space. SEDS is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of space exploration, technology and education. At UCF, we pursue this endeavor by taking on challenging projects that advance our members understanding of the engineering concepts learned in the classroom.
Visit our website at: http://mmae.ucf.edu/seds/
[edit] About SEDS
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space was founded in 1980 at MIT and Princeton and consists of an international group of high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from a diverse range of educational backgrounds who are working to promote space as a whole. SEDS is a chapter based organization with chapters throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The permanent National Headquarters for SEDS-USA resides at MIT. Each chapter is fairly independent and coordinates activities and projects in its own area. For more background, see the SEDS History Project.
What do SEDS members do?
SEDS members are people interested in doing as much as they can to promote space exploration and development. The first step in this continual process is learning. SEDS provides an excellent environment in which to obtain access to many sources of information including speakers, tours, films, discussion groups & daily NASA updates. Astronomical observing trips and tours of local space facilities also play a significant role in the life of many SEDS members. For a sample of some exciting SEDS activities, see the Special Projects page.
SEDS members often take the knowledge they have gained and use it to influence the future of the space program. Students at several chapters have played major roles in organizing large conferences and have established important contacts with members of the space community. Others have helped increase public awareness of the benefits of space exploration by offering presentations to local primary and secondary schools as well as universities. All chapters keep in contact with each other through on-line computer networks.
Finally, SEDS provides an environment in which people of common interests can relax and freely discuss issues important to them.
What can SEDS do for you?
SEDS can provide an organized pathway for you to begin space related projects and give you a chance to break away from the usual class work. You can also use SEDS as a stepping stone to a space-related career. Being actively involved in SEDS can put you in touch with many members of the space, technology, and education community and will allow you to develop the experience necessary to take leadership roles in your future career, whatever that may be.
[edit] SEDS-UCF Projects
Our projects serve as hands on experience, molding our members into the Engineers and Scientists of the future. The ups and downs of project development and execution give our members knowledge that they cannot get from class alone. We are an interdisciplinary organization accepting any majors, so our projects involve not only Engineering majors such as Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical and Engineering Technology, but also Chemistry, Law, Political Science and Business.
[edit] Project: Daedalus Sub-Orbital Hybrid Rocket Program
Project: Daedalus is an attempt to become the first student organization to design and build a sub-orbital sounding rocket. The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Chapter at the University of Central Florida (SEDS-UCF) has undertook in this endeavor to increase knowledge about rocketry, increase advocacy about space exploration, and provide a feasible reusable launch vehicle for scientific projects and research in the long run. Our design is a hybrid (Nitrous Oxide/Polyethylene) single stage launch vehicle with onboard video, telemetry and recovery systems. The successful launch of a solid fuel rocket in Argonia, Kansas, which reached an altitude of nearly 30,000 feet, served to verify our mathematical and modeling methods. Current plans include the production of quarter-scale and half-scale hybrid motors, the launch of Daedalus III (full-scale vehicle launch to 200,000 in order to test electronics and communication systems), and the launch of Daedalus IV (breaking the barrier of space). Project: Daedalus is also in an effort to educate students about engineering, aerospace, and rocketry through special advocacy and outreach programs with local elementary and high schools.
Visit our website at: http://www.projectdaedalus.com
