Management
“Responsible to the element, accountable to the mission.”
Daryl Woods
The Management team within the THRUST student project plays a vital role in coordinating the various technical teams and ensuring the overall success of the mission. Their responsibilities include overseeing the project timeline, budget, and resource allocation, making sure that all departments—Aerostructures, Propulsion, Electronics, and others—are aligned and progressing towards shared goals. They assist in problem-solving across teams, ensuring that any issues are addressed promptly and that communication flows smoothly between departments. By maintaining a clear vision of the project’s objectives, the Management team ensures that deadlines are met and that all technical work stays on track.
A key aspect of the Management team’s role is to facilitate partnerships and external support, signing agreements with local companies to secure materials, manufacturing capabilities, and other essential services. These collaborations are crucial for obtaining high-quality components, such as carbon fiber for the Aerostructures team or specialized testing facilities for the Propulsion team. The Management team negotiates terms and ensures that the project stays within budget while fostering relationships that support both current and future rocket missions. Their efforts help to bridge the gap between the student team’s goals and the resources required to achieve them.
In addition to logistical coordination and external partnerships, the Management team plays a supportive role in the project’s long-term sustainability. They are responsible for organizing sponsorships, securing funding, and managing relationships with stakeholders, whether that be university officials, corporate partners, or regulatory bodies. By handling these administrative and strategic tasks, the Management team allows the technical teams to focus on their engineering work, while ensuring that the overall project remains financially and operationally viable. Their leadership is key to making the ambitious goals of the THRUST student team a reality.