Igniting Innovation

At NOWfab, we embarked on an exhilarating journey with the Space Enterprise at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). Together with a crew of bright minds from UCB and the University of Southern California (USC), we aimed to carve out a new chapter in the annals of aerospace by launching the first student-designed liquid rocket into the stratosphere. Our role was to infuse this project with our signature precision-manufactured components, serving as the backbone for this ambitious ascent.

Mission Ambition: UC Berkeley’s Ascent to Break Rocketry Records

Our shared vision was to craft and elevate a liquid-fueled rocket that would not just soar but shatter the glass ceiling of amateur rocketry records. This project was more than a technical challenge; it was a forge where real-world aerospace standards and educational enrichment melded together, sculpting the aerospace pioneers of tomorrow. We were committed to pushing the envelope, driving both the rocket and its creators to heights unimagined.

Strategic Execution: Sculpting the Ascent with Precision and Mastery

Precision Fabrication:

In our collaborative effort with the UC Berkeley Rocketry Team, the tools of precision fabrication at NOWfab became the medium through which abstract designs were transformed into tangible reality. Our advanced manufacturing technologies acted as the bridge between the team’s innovative vision and the actual creation of critical components for their pioneering liquid rocket engine. Each part delivered was a piece of the puzzle, meticulously crafted to fit the complex specifications dictated by these future aerospace engineers, ensuring their ambitious blueprint was realized in metal and momentum.

Quality Assurance and Standards Compliance:

Our partnership with the UC Berkeley Rocketry Team extended into the meticulous realms of quality assurance, where each component was tested against the extreme demands expected during launch. This rigorous process wasn’t just about adhering to the standards but elevating the project’s engineering integrity. By implementing the stringent protocols of aerospace standards, including AS9100 and ISO 9001, we ensured each fabricated piece wasn’t merely compliant, but a cornerstone of reliability and safety. Through this dedication, we empowered the UC Berkeley team to push beyond conventional boundaries and chart new territories in student-led aerospace endeavors.

Support and Efficiency:

Our journey with the UC Berkeley team was fueled by a synergy of support and streamlined efficiency. At NOWfab, we ensure that each precision-engineered component seamlessly transitions from concept to launchpad, melding flawlessly into the final architecture of the rocket. Our efficient and precise manufacturing processes were the tailwinds that propelled this project beyond the mundane, dramatically reducing timelines and resource overheads, and lifting the aspirations and achievements of everyone involved to stratospheric heights.

Results:

Launch Success

The rocket successfully reached an altitude of 20,000 feet, marking it as the third-highest amateur liquid rocket launch ever.

This achievement was a testament to the quality and precision of the components used, which performed flawlessly under the demanding conditions of rocket launch.

Post-Launch Validation

Post-launch inspections and CT scans of the engine components revealed no compromises in material integrity, affirming the superior quality of the printed aluminum and the efficacy of NOWfab’s manufacturing processes.

Conclusion:

our strategic infusion of instant fabrication and precision component delivery was the catalyst that propelled the UC Berkeley Rocketry Team’s ambitious project into the stratosphere. By embedding our rigorous aerospace standards into the framework of this collaboration and implementing a robust quality assurance process, we elevated more than just a rocket; we lifted the educational and technical outcomes of the Space Enterprise project at UC Berkeley.