University of Tennessee Knoxville SSTA
Imperia, has partnered with the Student Space and Technology Association (SSTA) out of the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) as a sponsor for the 2019 American Spacecup. Our sponsorship included materials, custom machining parts, logistical support, guidance, and a technological payload (femto-satellite code-named KODO) for the competition. Our sponsorship originally was to provide a technological payload for the competition. Once partnered with the UT team, Imperia was made aware of their experiment to test bio-aerosols in the troposphere code-named “ANDROMEDA” and their intentions to conduct testing of their Urbanski-Colburn (U/C) valve hybrid rocket engine. Interested in their aims, we began to fund the teams research and development. With support and sponsorship of Imperia, the UTK team was able to produce the most efficient U/C value hybrid rocket engine and one of the most efficient amateur rocket engines built within the industry. They increased their burn efficiency of 67% from the current industry standard (60%-80%) to 85-90%. Through Imperia’s sponsorship the UTK team is able to continue their development and improve upon their existing design with a goal of achieving the highest burn efficiency of any hybrid rocket which stands at 92%.
TVIW Sponsorship
Imperia sponsored the 2018 Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop tech symposium in Oak Ridge, TN at the historic Y-12 facility. The symposium encouraged innovation, research, idea sharing and technology integration between fields and disciplines to help enable humanity become a space-faring civilization. The workshop was comprised of distinguished members of JPL, NASA, and corporate aerospace entities.
Space Apps Challenge Sponsor
Imperia sponsored the 2018 NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge in Seattle, Washington. The Space Apps Challenge is a global hack-a-thon dealing with challenges set by NASA. The challenges cut across science, engineering, technology, arts, and math applications for space rather then just software. The Space Apps Challenge Seattle yielded a Global semi-finalist team. The team’s programming addressed the growing social and ecological displacement of people and the strain it generates on available resources.
MC2
Imperia sponsors and supports the Music City Missile Club (MC2) out of Nashville,TN. In partnership with Burman Farms LLC we have received FAA approval to allow for High Powered Rocket flights on the land surrounding our shop in Hopkinsville, KY. Imperia also provides some food and drinks at scheduled launchs. We provide an on-site heated restroom and access to the shop as a repreive from the weather and for club events. We also provide on-site storage of the club's supplies and are active in support of STEM with the MC2. Several of us at Imperia are also club members and provide assistance as needed to other club members such as 3D printing parts and build assists.