The podcast "It’s (Probably Not) Rocket Science" explores the topic of rocket engineering, focusing on a program called Lobo Launch at the University of New Mexico. The episode, titled “It Actually is Rocket Science,” delves into this initiative developed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNM.
Lobo Launch is paired with an academic course offered during the Fall semester and is led by Fernando “Doc” Aguilar, a professor of rocket engineering at UNM. The program features three rockets: one that participates in the Spaceport America Cup near Las Cruces, another used for payloads for Los Alamos National Labs, and a larger one known as the “Big Fat Lobo Rocket” (BFLR).
Students in this program start with an academic seminar where they learn about rocket engineering and discuss historic rocket designs and launches. Doc describes rocket science as simpler than it appears: “It’s 1000 easy things. You just learn each individual thing, which is easy, and you put them all together. It looks like a complex system,” he said. “It’s just building blocks.”
The course aims to help students excel in their engineering careers, with many alumni going on to work for companies like Lockheed Martin, Blue Origins, and SpaceX.
Hyein Choi, who studied mechanical engineering and applied mathematics at UNM, took Doc’s class last year and played a major role in developing the competition rocket. She served as the program manager for this project. Reflecting on her experience, Choi said: “It was the most hands-on experience I have had from a lab. I think it set me up for figuring out logistics and taught me how to build a rocket from scratch.”
Doc also shares personal stories from his career in Air Force Space Command during lectures. He expresses optimism about future engineers: “There’s hope for America. These kids are really something,” he said about his students' potential. “We’re in a space renaissance; everything is moving so fast, and they’re going to impact it tremendously.”
UNM students, faculty, and staff can often be seen looking skyward wondering if they are seeing shooting stars or Lobo Launch rockets.
The episode "It Actually is Rocket Science" can be listened to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other platforms where podcasts are available.
More information about the show can be found at podcast.unm.edu or by following them on Instagram and TikTok.
###
