Every year, the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) hosts the First Nations Launch (FNL) competition. FNL offers Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution, and AISES collegiate chapters the opportunity to design, build, and launch a high-powered rocket. With webinars to teach engineering and design skills, no rocketry experience is required, and CU AISES members participate as a team given enough interest. Although CU AISES participated in the 2018 FNL competition but the team was inactive until 2021-2022, where members came together to establish the recurring FNL team the Trailblazers. With a variety of grade levels, experience, and majors, the CU Trailblazers placed second overall in their challenge category in the 2022 competition. A new team has been brought together for the 2023 launch, with members tackling a manufacturing challenge.
Trailblazers posing at launch weekend with the completed rocket.
The CU Trailblazers posing in front of an incomplete rocket.
The Trailblazers rocket being assembled.
The 2018 FNL Team posing in front of their rocket.
