Team Leads

Liquids Team: EV-1 Engine and rocket Development:

Trey Pietras

Liquids Team: EV-2 Engine: 

 Jan Kasprzak

Jan Kasprzak, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, is a currently a senior in the Accelerated Program in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). During his freshman year at ERAU, he joined the Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab (ERPL) to learn about rocketry. At the end of that year, Jan was elected Treasurer of ERPL and volunteered to take the lead of the Hybrids Team. In his sophomore year, he introduced composites to ERPL by developing a new rocket (carbon fiber-fiberglass/epoxy construction) for the Hybrid Rocket competition, sponsored by the Florida Space Grant Consortium) that ERPL competes in annually. That year he also designed and built a new test stand for the ERPL Hybrids and Solids Teams to test fire their small-scale motors on.  The following year, his team developed a new Hybrid motor for that competition, in addition to redesigning a large portion of the ground support equipment and improving the testing capabilities of ERPL. Presently, Jan is leading the Aquila Escape Velocity 2 (EV-2) Engine Development project and is working with both Hybrid Motors teams to advance rocket propulsion technologies at ERAU as much as possible before he graduates.

Hybrids Team: Experimental Hybrids

 Jorge Torres

I am a senior pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University serving as the webmaster of ERPL's site. I joined ERPL in the fall of 2009 in order to learn more about rocket technology and to introduce myself to technical projects that offers hands-on learning experiences. As an officer and team lead, I try to combine my experience in electronics with developing knowledge in Systems Engineering acquired  from classes and internship work experience. My main focus is to improve ERPL's hybrid rocket engines and expand the Aerospace community's knowledge on hybrid rocket systems.

Hybrids Team: Flight Hybrids:

Peter Edwards

I'm from Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!). I've worked on the ERPL flight and experimental hybrids last year. I have my level 1 NAR certification from last April. I'm a Junior in the accelerated BS/MS Aerospace Engineering - Astronautics option. I'm in the honors program, play ultimate frisbee and am a member of Delta Upsilon and Sigma Gamma Tau.

Solids Team

Chris Dreher

I am a sophomore, and this is my 2nd year as a member of the solids division.  Last year I began the development of a filament wound composite motor case, which I will be continuing this year, along with mixing propellants.  Our goal this year is to do a flight test of a motor completely developed by our group.  A little background, my recent involvement with rocketry began when my high school did a rocketry project for our astronomy class.   Since then i have become Level 2 certified, and i launch high power rockets regularly in Colorado and at Bunnell.  

Research and Development Team: Breakthrough

Kyeol Williams

I am originally from Lansing, Michigan. I came to Florida in December of '09 and worked at a Firestone as a mechanic until August of 2010, when I transferred to Embry-Riddle to study Aerospace Engineering. Since high school I've worked on many electrical and automotive projects, and I graduated from Lansing Community college with a degree in Automotive Technology in 2008.
 I am here to broaden my knowledge into the aerospace field and work with other skilled students on projects. My passion is to contribute towards finding a more efficient means to access space. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the ERPL team.