Orbital Launch Vehicle Team - Structures Subteam
Elijah Hinton
Project Timeline
Aug 2024 - May-2025
OVERVIEW
As a member of the Structures Subteam for Virginia Tech’s Orbital Launch Vehicle Team, this project focuses on designing, manufacturing, and testing structural components for a high-powered rocket capable of reaching 10,000 ft. The team emphasizes iterative fabrication and validation through experimental testing and FEA correlation. Structural design work included optimizing fiberglass body tubes, integrating recovery systems, and refining assembly techniques to improve launch performance and reliability.
HighlightS
- Manufactured fiberglass body tubes using the X-winder filament winder, optimizing resin distribution and achieving consistent wall thickness.
- Reduced mandrel removal time from 45 to 10 minutes through an improved mold release process, significantly enhancing production efficiency.
- Conducted compression testing on 5+ body tube iterations, generating stress–strain data and validating material properties against finite element analysis.
- Assisted in the integration and testing of a dual-deployment recovery system, achieving a 100% success rate across two test flights with upgraded 2100 lb shock cords.
- Collaborated with propulsion and avionics subteams to ensure structural compatibility and safety across all flight systems.
SKILLS
Composite FabricationStructural TestingMaterial CharacterizationManufacturing OptimizationTeam Collaboration
Elijah Hinton
Aerospace Engineering Student
I am an aerospace engineering student at Virginia Tech with hands-on experience in structural design, computational modeling, and manufacturing. I lead interdisciplinary teams on complex projects including amphibious seaplane design and orbital launch vehicles. My expertise spans CAD design, finite element analysis, composite materials, and rocket systems. I combine technical skills with strong leadership abilities, having mentored students and managed cross-functional engineering teams while maintaining a 3.49 GPA.
I am an aerospace engineering student at Virginia Tech with hands-on experience in structural design, computational modeling, and manufacturing. I lead interdisciplinary teams on complex projects including amphibious seaplane design and orbital launch vehicles. My expertise spans CAD design, finite element analysis, composite materials, and rocket systems. I combine technical skills with strong leadership abilities, having mentored students and managed cross-functional engineering teams while maintaining a 3.49 GPA.
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