PENANG, 16 April 2022 –USA, here we come! The WAU Rocketry USM team is all set to go to the world’s largest Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Conference (IREC) and student rocket launch competition, Spaceport America (SA) Cup 2022 this June.

WAU Rocketry USM is the first and only team to represent Malaysia in the competition.

There are only three Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries competing, namely Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

Only 13% out of the total 151 SA Cup teams are from 8 Asian countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Pakistan, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and India).

The group is led by Vanmitha Athimoolam, a 3rd year undergraduate from the USM School of Aerospace Engineering. She will be joined by eleven teammates, 2 advisors and 2 mentors.

Recently, Vanmitha presented a technical presentation of the HEBAT rocket and the marketing presentation of WAU Rocketry team, for sponsorship purposes to Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) located at Hangar 5, Malaysia Airlines Engineering Complex.

“To be honest, I attended the presentation with zero expectation, as I went there to give my best because I believe my performance will determine the amount offered by the sponsors.

“When MAB came forward to sponsor our trip, I was beyond happy because it reduced half of our burden and it also completed my aim of bringing the entire team to the USA to give them the experience,” said Vanmitha.

Vanmitha expressed her gratitude to MAB for coming forward to support the local talent in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

A big thanks to Malaysia Airlines Berhad for sponsoring the team's trip and giving tickets at a discounted rate to the USA.

The team would also like to thank Allied Aeronautics TRG Centre for coming forward to be WAU Rocketry USM's commercial advisor and providing commercial support to the team.

The HEBAT Rocket’s target is to reach 10,000 feet (3km) and recover back using dual event parachute deployment system.

All the best to the WAU Rocketry USM team!

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Poster: Norhaslin Salehuddin