2015
SOAR was founded
The Student Organization for Aerospace Research (SOAR) was begun alongside Dr. Johansen's Aero-Core Lab focused on developing experimental rockets.
SOAR'S STORY
Reaching for the stars
Our Timeline
See the journey that brought us to where we are today.
2016
First 10k costs launched
To get the ball rolling, a 10,000 ft - predicted apogee solid COTS rocket was developed with wooden bulkheads and blue tube.
2018
Launching Atlantis I
Atlantis I was our first 30K Hybrid that was researched, designed, manufactured and tested in-house, flying successfully in 2018.
2019
Development of Atlantis II
Returning from Spaceport America Cup, SOAR began working on a V2 of Atlantis, our 30K Hybrid sounding rocket. Development of this rocket seized due to team restructuring.
2021
Launching Dinosoar
DinoSOAR was launched in Hanna, Alberta with a predicted apogee of 10,000 ft. This COTS rocket was a learning opportunity for our new members.
2022
Launching Osprey I
Osprey I, our 10K solid rocket successfully took flight in Feb during the Fire and Ice launch event in Viking, Alberta. Osprey I was launched again at Spaceport America Cup 2022.
2024
Launching Ouroboros
We launched the first student led hybrid rocket in Wester Canada, and placed first in the 10K hybrid/liquid category at SAC (Now IREC)
2025
Starting Athena
We began our development on our next rocket, Athena, a 100,000 ft. rocket poised to be the highest student built hybrid in North America
Executive Team
Andrew C. Gonsalves
Team Captain
Education: 4th Year Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Hobby: I like to forage for edible plants deep in the forest
“My favourite thing about thing about being captain of SOAR is that I don't actually like being captain of SOAR. Kidding, I love the people of SOAR.”
Christine Al-Rachid
VP Internal/External
Education: 4th Year Accounting
Hobby: My hobbies include baking and shopping
“Every test fire feels like a masterclass in teamwork.”
Aiden Ballard
VP Research and Development
Education: Internship Year Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Mechatronics
Hobby: One of my hobbies is bouldering!
“My favorite part about being on SOAR is the team spirit and sense of community. I feel like I'm forging real connections with my teammates when I'm here, not just building a rocket”
Alex Smith
VP Electrical
Education: 2nd Year Electrical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Hobby: Currently cycling, whether indoor on a trainer or outdoors when possible
“My favourite part of SOAR is being part of a weird & crazy family of people that want to be a part of something bigger than school and constantly being exposed to new things”
Lucca Conforto
VP Electrical
Education: Internship Year Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Hobby: My main hobbies at the moment are reading, cooking and playing volleyball
“I honestly enjoy that no day as VP Mech is like another, I'm constantly shifting between projects as needed and it gives me the opportunity to experience all of SOAR...”
Morgan Ward
VP Finance
Education: 4th Year Accounting
Hobby: Working out, skiing, and hiking!
“My favourite part about being a part of SOAR is being able to work with so many intelligent people, and working together towards a common goal. Applying what I'm learning in class to real-world problems in SOAR genuinely feels like I am enriching my education.”
Shivam Desai
VP Software
Education: 4th Year Software Engineering, Minor in Mechatronics
Hobby: Working on embedded systems and small engineering side-projects
“My favourite part about my role on SOAR is how collaborative everything feels. Even under pressure, everyone is willing to jump in... I love that I get to work across electrical, mechanical, and software tasks it keeps things exciting and constantly pushes me to grow”
Leadership Team
Mia Mrljic
Propulsion Lead
Education: Internship Year, Mechanical Engineering and Business Dual Degree
Hobby: I am a pilot, I like flying planes
“SOAR is where theory becomes roar.”
Victor Ovalle
Propulsion Lead
Education: 4th Year Mechanical Engineering
Hobby: My hobby would be working on SOAR (lol)
“My favourite part about being lead is seeing everyone's projects come together. It's pretty gnarly that everyone is making a part of the overall motor.”
Valentina Moreno
Airframe and Recovery Lead
Education: 3rd Year Electrical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Hobby: I do speed skating!
“My favourite part about my role on SOAR is working with motivated people who share the same passion and push you to be better while building something meaningful... it's rewarding to apply what I've learned while supporting others throughout the process.”
William Meier
Avionics Hardware Lead
Education: 3rd Year Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Hobby: Film photography, Houseplants (specifically orchids)
“I enjoy board manufacturing and soldering... There's also something so fun about seeing a PCB (hopefully) turn on for the first time... The overall attitude and vibe of both SOAR and hardware is a lot of fun, you develop pretty strong relationships with the people you spend weeks working nonstop with”
Andrey Dimanchev
Avionics Software Lead
Education: Internship Year, Honours Computer Science, Minor in Management and Society
Hobby: running, volleyball, skateboarding, languages
“My favourite part is mentoring passionate SOAR members to help them achieve success in their projects. Another favourite moment is when after many long nights, we get to launch our hard work and see it come together”
Aneesh Bungay
Flight Simulations and Modeling Lead
Education: 3rd Year Electrical Engineering, Minor in Aerospace Engineering and Business
Hobby: Watching/playing hockey, doing CFD on cars
“What I like most about SOAR is how it conforms to an industry standard environment where team members collaborate and grow together... I love how it bridges theory with practice, allowing me to truly apply what we learn in class to real engineering challenges”
Connor Lambie
Manufacturing Lead
Education: 3rd Year Mechanical Engineering and Finance
Hobby: Mountain backcountry skiing, hiking, and biking
“My favourite part of SOAR is the time I get to spend in the machine shop working with my hands. I enjoy building parts, teaching my peers new skills, and learning from their experience in return.”
William Brooks
Payload Lead
Education: 4th Year Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Mechatronics
Hobby: Astrophotography, it involves taking pictures of galaxies and nebulae!
“My favourite part of being on the payload team is the opportunity to overcome new challenges. The creative process of designing a new payload, seeing the ideas people propose to solve a problem, and then working towards implementing those ideas is exciting to be a part of”