Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory (VADL)

The Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory (VADL) was founded in 2007 by Professor Amrutur Anilkumar to meet the emerging needs of Vanderbilt engineering students to pursue unique careers and advanced studies in aerospace engineering. The main agenda of the lab is to research and develop novel, rocket-flyable payload systems that address major challenges in space exploration and feature novel technologies applicable to the aerospace sector. Lab members also contribute to the Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory's robust outreach program, which works to build STEM enthusiasm in aerospace engineering among middle school and high school students in Tennessee. The current function of the VADL is to compete in the NASA Student Launch Competition, of which we are a six-time national champion, to present project results at AIAA Student Conferences, and publish our research in select AIAA journals. VADL also represents the AIAA Student Chapter at Vanderbilt University.