TRA Technical Conference (TRATECH) - 2026

Thermodynamic Heating Effects on a Rocket up to a Mach 1.2 Airspeed Launch (THERMAL)

Presented by the Madison West Rocket Club

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Synopsis: 

This presentation examines aerothermal heating in high-power flight, focusing on the relationship between airspeed and surface temperature at subsonic speeds. The Madison West Rocket Club will present results from a rocket flight instrumented with multiple thermistors embedded along the nose cone to capture temperature variation during ascent. Sensor data will be correlated with onboard velocity and altitude measurements to evaluate heating behavior across the vehicle surface. The session will also explore expected temperature profiles and how airflow characteristics influence heating distribution, providing a practical, data-driven look at aerothermal effects in rocketry.

Presenter Bio:

The Madison West Rocket Club is a student-led team from Madison West High School working on THERMAL, a project focused on thermodynamic heating effects during high-speed rocket flight. The team includes Ayelet Blum, Madeline Greene, Dominic Saracino, Tyler Greger, Jack Noel, Owen Withers, Emily Chen, Ember Lee, Graham DeThorne, and Summit Todd, supported by mentors Max Jetzer (Level 3), Brent Lillesand (Level 3), and advisor Christine Hager. As an independent program, the team combines hands-on engineering, testing, and data analysis, with members actively pursuing or holding Junior Level 1 certifications. They have participated in programs such as NASA Student Launch, the American Rocketry Challenge, and Rockets for Schools, bringing practical experience in design, fabrication, and flight operations.

Rocket Photography

Presented by Jim Wilkerson

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Synopsis: 

Presenter Bio: 
Jim Wilkerson, TRA 2733, serves on Tripoli’s Technical Advisory Panel (TAP). He began his rocketry career with NAR in 1978 and certified in high power rocketry in the early 2000s, attending his first BALLS launch in 2003. He held the Tripoli commercial “M” altitude record for several years and contributed to Kimberly Harms’ 2004 Community Space full-scale Honest John project. His photography journey paralleled his rocketry, evolving from early Kodak 110 cameras to modern Nikon digital and mirrorless systems. He documents regional and national events as Tahoma Photography and continues active flying.

Mission Success: Leading a Thriving Prefecture

Presented by Doug Szczepanski

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Synopsis:

From new members to Prefects, everyone plays a leadership role within the organization, and this presentation is intended for all. By embracing leadership at every level, individuals can directly contribute to the success and growth of the community. The presentation explores core leadership principles, including effective communication, emotional intelligence, and understanding individual, group, and organizational needs. These concepts are framed through real-world prefecture and volunteer scenarios, with practical takeaways that can be applied immediately.

Presenter Bio:

Doug Szczepanski brings a lifelong commitment to public service, education, and leadership development. Currently 39 years in with the Michigan State Police as a Lieutenant and field commander. He is a graduate and facilitator of the Leadership in Police Organizations program through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as Michigan State University’s School of Staff and Command. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Delta College in University Center, Michigan. A Tripoli Level 3 member with over 50 years in rocketry, he is part of the Michigan Team-1 prefecture and is dedicated to advancing safe, high-power rocketry through strong leadership.

3D Printing and the Future of Amateur Rocketry

Presented by Lex Kuehn

Packing Parachutes - A Demonstration

Presented by Kevin Trojanowski

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Synopsis: 
Properly packing deployment bags, particularly for large parachutes, is a topic that comes up frequently in high-power rocketry. In this session, Kevin Trojanowski will demonstrate the packing of multiple parachutes into deployment bags while explaining the design, function, and purpose of these systems. He will also present techniques for packing smaller parachutes and discuss the characteristics of different parachute types. This presentation provides a practical, hands-on look at proven methods, offering insight into techniques that are not often demonstrated at this scale.

Presenter Bio: 

Kevin Trojanowski began flying model rockets in the mid-1970s and returned to the hobby when his children were young. While their interest eventually faded, his continued, leading him into high-power rocketry and Tripoli membership in 2000. His primary area of focus is recovery systems, where he has developed extensive knowledge through collaboration with experienced riggers. He is particularly interested in advancing the hobby beyond rules of thumb toward more data-driven, quantifiable approaches and is committed to sharing that knowledge to improve safety and outcomes for other flyers.

Tripoli BOD Roundtable

Presented by the Tripoli Board of Directors

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Synopsis: 

The Tripoli Board of Directors Roundtable provides members with a direct opportunity to engage with board leadership in an open forum setting. During this session, board members will address questions submitted by the membership, offering insight into current initiatives, decisions, and the overall direction of the organization. Topics may include operations, safety, governance, and future plans. This session is intended to promote transparency, strengthen communication, and ensure members have a clear understanding of how Tripoli is being guided and managed.

Presenter Bio: 

This roundtable will feature members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association Board of Directors, bringing together a group of experienced leaders responsible for guiding the organization’s direction, policies, and programs. The board represents a broad cross-section of the high-power rocketry community, with backgrounds that include certification, safety oversight, research activities, event operations, and organizational leadership.

Beyond the Rocket: Building the Propulsion, Airframes, and Ground Stack for Experimental HPR

Presented by Sebastian Arbelaez

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Tales from the TAP Trail

Presented by Eric Cayemberg, Gary Dickinson, Chris Pearson, and David Reese

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Synopsis:

This session provides an overview of recent updates within the Tripoli Advanced Projects (TAP) program, along with a discussion of current practices and considerations relevant to TAP members and applicants. The presentation will include “Tales from the TAP Trail,” featuring insights and experiences from Gary Dickinson, Chris Pearson, and David Reese. Attendees will gain practical perspective from real-world projects, followed by an open opportunity for questions and feedback. The session will conclude with closing remarks and key takeaways for those involved in or pursuing TAP activities.

Presenter Bio: 

This session will be led by members of the Tripoli Advanced Projects (TAP) Committee, including Chair Eric Cayemberg, along with experienced TAP participants Gary Dickinson, Chris Pearson, and David Reese. Collectively, they bring extensive experience in experimental rocketry, project review, and high-power flight operations. As active contributors to the TAP program, they have worked closely with flyers advancing complex and research-based projects, providing guidance, evaluation, and support throughout the process. Their combined perspectives offer practical insight into the expectations, challenges, and successes associated with TAP-level rocketry.

Impromptu Presentation - Liquid Propulsion Discussion

Presented by Bob Brown

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Busting Aerodynamic Myths with CFD

Presented by Ken Karbon

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Synopsis:

Model rocket aerodynamics remains a challenging and often misunderstood aspect of the hobby. Many design guidelines and rules of thumb for drag coefficient and center of pressure were developed decades ago and are still widely used, sometimes without fully understanding their limitations. In this presentation, Ken Karbon will examine these traditional assumptions and explore their origins. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), he will analyze aerodynamic behavior and compare results against commonly accepted models. The session provides a data-driven perspective on drag and stability, helping flyers better understand and apply aerodynamic principles.

Presenter Bio:
Ken Karbon is a Level 2 rocketeer from Michigan and a retired automotive engineer, where he served as a Technical Specialist in aerodynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). He applies that same engineering discipline to rocketry and has authored numerous technical articles for Apogee’s Peak of Flight newsletter on computer modeling, flight measurement, and aerodynamic performance. He was awarded first place at the 2026 NAR R&D competition for his work in aerodynamic simulation. Ken regularly flies with local clubs and at major launch sites while pursuing advanced altitude goals.

How We Made Airbrakes Work: Active Apogee Control in Practice

Presented by Quentin Trull

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Synopsis: 
Every year, teams attempt to use airbrakes at competitions such as IREC and the American Rocketry Challenge to achieve a precise target apogee. In many cases, due to limited testing or compressed timelines, these systems are ultimately disabled prior to the final flight. In this presentation, Quentin Trull will describe a system that was successfully flown at the 2025 IREC competition, achieving an apogee error of less than 0.5%. He will cover common pitfalls, unique simulation approaches, and practical lessons learned along the way, with the goal of helping more teams successfully implement airbrakes in future competitions.

Presenter Bio: 
Quentin Trull is a mechanical engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, and is originally from Garden City, Idaho. He has extensive experience flying high-power rockets, including projects involving active control systems. He has worked on large-scale liquid rocket recovery efforts and has competed in the IREC competition throughout his college career. Following his graduation in 2027, he plans to pursue a career in the aerospace industry.

Rocket Photography: Then and Now - How to use it in Documentation, Supporting the Hobby and Helping You!

Presented by Gerald Meux

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Photographing rocket launches isn’t just about cool shots—it’s a powerful way to document projects, promote events, and preserve the history of our hobby. In this presentation, Gerald shares highlights from his collection of over 12,000 photos taken at launches across the U.S. between 2007 and 2019. He’ll discuss how his approach has evolved from traditional photography to using smartphone tools like geotagging and AI-based facial recognition to help catalog and share images. Whether you’re looking to improve your documentation or just enjoy great launch photography, this talk offers tips and inspiration.

Presenter Bios: