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KÁRMÁN SAN DIEGO
SPACE IS THE PLACE
Unlike our Lady Elizabeth project which competed in the FAR/MARS rocketry competition, Kármán San Diego (KSD) isn't competing in a traditional rocketry competition. Taking inspiration from the Base 11 liquid-to-space challenge, Rocket Project set out to reach our own goal that felt more attainable: reach space with a two-stage approach, incorporating a liquid booster stage and a solid sustainer second stage. The current design of KSD seen here is the booster stage portion; the first step of three to help ease our way to reaching space. If successful, Kármán San Diego will be the first rocket to reach space utilizing a liquid rocket at the collegiate level. After validation of this booster, the next two launches will be a second stage mass simulator launch followed by the real space shot attempt!
APOGEE
If you are familiar with our Lady Elizabeth project that preceded KSD, we reached a record altitude of 13,205 feet. Compared to Lady Elizabeth's altitude, KSD in the two-stage configuration will reach a record-shattering 330,000 feet! That's nearly 25 times higher than our last project!
THE NAME
A COMBINATION OF CULTURE AND COINCIDENCE
After setting our goals on the Kármán line, the team felt there was a clever naming opportunity to connect to the culture of the San Diego area and develop a play on words. Carmen San Diego is a character within a series of video games, board games, and animated entertainment which felt like the perfect connection to this rocket. The famous question within the character's story is "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?". Well, this time at an altitude above 330,000 feet in the inner reaches of space, breaking through the Kármán line!
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