The "Tiger Arrow" team, composed of faculty and students from National Formosa University’s (NFU) Department of Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering, stood out from 15 youth teams and nearly 200 contestants at the inaugural "Rocket Taiwan Cup." Held in Xuhai Village, Mudan Township, Pingtung, from July 25th (Fri) to July 27th (Sun), the team earned a commendable second place in the university division, showcasing the solid foundation of NFU students in interdisciplinary innovation and practical skills.
The competition was co-organized by the National Space Organization (TASA) and the Pingtung County Government. It was the first-ever event of its kind in Taiwan and the only short-term scientific research sounding rocket launch activity in Asia. Ten high school teams and five university teams made it to the finals. The challenge required teams to build a sounding rocket capable of flying over 1 kilometer, equipped with a parachute for ocean recovery, and weighing no more than 28.5 kg. From design and production to launch and recovery, the competition tested contestants' interdisciplinary integration and teamwork.
The NFU "Tiger Arrow" team underwent half a year of preparation and multiple tests, focusing on mechanical design, computer-aided simulation, and control integration to tackle aerospace applications. The team's advisor, Zhang Wenyang, who is also the director of the Electro-Mechanical Minor Program, noted that although the team did not specialize in aerospace, the students displayed strong learning motivation in their practical interdisciplinary work and honed their resilience and creativity through numerous trials and errors. The team members also expressed their gratitude to the National Space Organization for providing an excellent platform for the competition, where they gained valuable experience in design thinking, division of labor, teamwork, and presentation skills.
Taiwan Rocket Competition - Winners List
Text and photos provided by: Department of Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering
The competition was co-organized by the National Space Organization (TASA) and the Pingtung County Government. It was the first-ever event of its kind in Taiwan and the only short-term scientific research sounding rocket launch activity in Asia. Ten high school teams and five university teams made it to the finals. The challenge required teams to build a sounding rocket capable of flying over 1 kilometer, equipped with a parachute for ocean recovery, and weighing no more than 28.5 kg. From design and production to launch and recovery, the competition tested contestants' interdisciplinary integration and teamwork.
The NFU "Tiger Arrow" team underwent half a year of preparation and multiple tests, focusing on mechanical design, computer-aided simulation, and control integration to tackle aerospace applications. The team's advisor, Zhang Wenyang, who is also the director of the Electro-Mechanical Minor Program, noted that although the team did not specialize in aerospace, the students displayed strong learning motivation in their practical interdisciplinary work and honed their resilience and creativity through numerous trials and errors. The team members also expressed their gratitude to the National Space Organization for providing an excellent platform for the competition, where they gained valuable experience in design thinking, division of labor, teamwork, and presentation skills.
Taiwan Rocket Competition - Winners List
Text and photos provided by: Department of Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering
