LEXINGTON, Va. Nov. 19, 2025 — Three of the nine members of the VMI High-Powered Rocket Club recently launched medium-powered rockets at the Valley Aerospace Team (VAST) launch site near Monterey, Virginia.

Michael Trigger ’26, a computer science major; Quinlan Johnson ’28, a physics major; Yushen Zhu ’28, an electrical and computer engineering major; along with Maj. Durig Lewis, instructor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and club officer in charge, traveled to the site to shoot the rockets built by cadets last academic year.

Trigger reported VAST has an excellent launch site with plenty of open land.

“I wish it was a little closer to VMI, but it’s hard to find a place with that much undeveloped land and is clear of trees. It was fun watching the rockets take off and realizing the builders’ craftmanship is what keeps them intact as they undergo all the forces needed to fly.” 

According to Lewis, several members of the club are currently working on their National Association of Rocketry level one certifications.

“Certification permits people to purchase and use rocket motors whose physical constraints and performance exceed traditional model rocket boundaries. There must always be someone in the group who is certified to launch one of these rockets.”

Club members are also building rockets scheduled to launch next semester.   

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE