There are many clubs at Brigham Young University, but few students get the chance to take their work to the skies.
The BYU Spacecraft Club focuses on preparing engineering students to become space engineers through hands-on experience.
That hands-on approach is evident at the club’s weekly meetings.
At a recent weekly meeting, multiple teams worked on projects across different rooms. In one room, a rover prototype was being worked on. In another room, others worked on PocketCube, a satellite launched with a helium balloon into the atmosphere.
Engineering students typically work on large, yearlong projects, including capstone teams that compete in competitions. The club also provides opportunities for smaller-scale projects, helping students build experience while also making friends and socializing outside of class. That hands-on work comes with its own challenges.
Brian Damitz, president of BYU Spacecraft Club, said it's more than simply putting robots together, as there are many variables to take into account while constructing spacecraft.
"You add more weight, you add more requirements, so you add more paint, you need more heat shield, so you need more fuel," Damitz said. "So now you have more weight."
These tradeoffs are what make the experience so valuable for students.
Club members worked on a power circuit for their PocketCube project during a Tuesday night meeting to create consistent voltage across the circuit.
The club typically consists of mechanical and electrical engineering students, but any student can join.
Brayden Taggart, a mechanical engineering major and member of the BYU Spacecraft Club, said he loves engineering because it allows him to solve problems.
"I feel like when I first started, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, you guys are so smart.' Now that I'm here, I'm like, well, you just got to take things apart little by little," Taggart said.
Taggart said, looking back, it is cool to see what he can do.
"It's a pretty empowering major," he said.
Students interested in joining can learn more about the BYU Spacecraft Club on its website or Instagram @byuspacecraft.