Orbital Launch Vehicle Team at Virginia Tech - OLVT

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Orbital Launch Vehicle Team at Virginia Tech - OLVT

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Just a group of nerds from Virginia Tech who want to go to infinity and beyond! We're on a mission to send a rocket into orbit.

11/02/2026

🚀 Member Monday: meet Amil!

Amil is a freshman studying General Engineering with an interest in Mechanical Engineering and is part of our Structures subteam!

He has been working on wiring channels for our sustainer, Hokie P! His passion for engineering started in high school, where he designed and built a 3D-printed plane almost entirely on his own, including the electronics. He continues to explore new projects through 3D printing and prototyping!

Looking ahead, Amil hopes to work at a major aerospace or technology company, such as SpaceX, Boeing, or Anduril. After gaining experience in the industry, his ultimate goal is to start his own design and prototyping firm!

Outside of engineering, Amil enjoys 3D printing, gaming, planes, and hanging out with friends!

Fun fact: Amil is originally from South Africa! He’s also excited to see the sustainer he’s been working on for the past few months finally launch!

10/26/2026

🚀 Member Monday: meet Dean!

Dean is a sophomore studying General Engineering and is part of our Launch Operations subteam!

He has recently been accepted for a research position with Virginia Tech’s Department of Physics, beginning in Spring 2027. Through this opportunity, he’ll be studying quasar outflows, exploring the fascinating physics behind some of the universe’s most powerful phenomena.

Looking ahead, Dean hopes to work at NASA in some capacity and contribute to the future of space exploration!

As his first engineering organization, OLVT holds a special place in Dean’s journey.

Outside of engineering, Dean enjoys kayaking, traveling, scale model building, and drawing!

Fun fact: Dean has experience launching high-altitude balloons with a team, capturing incredible images from above Earth!

10/20/2026

🚀 Member Monday: meet Omar!

Omar is a sophomore studying Aerospace Engineering and is part of our Launch Operations subteam!

He is currently working on a personal project focused on designing a CubeSat mission to test end-of-life satellite deorbiting using a deployable drag sail. He has completed the mission concept document and is now working on simulations using Simulink, with CAD models, PCB designs, and technical presentations in his roadmap!

Going forward, Omar plans to pursue a master’s degree in spaceflight operations and orbital maneuvers. His goal is to work in mission control and eventually become an astronaut!

Outside of engineering, Omar enjoys playing drums, especially classic rock from Guns N’ Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is also a certified Advanced Open Water Diver with 10 dives under his belt!

Fun fact: Omar is taking 19 credits while balancing three design teams, and he’s somehow surviving!

10/12/2026

🚀 Member Monday: meet Lana!

Lana is a senior studying Aerospace Engineering & Chemistry and is part of our Trajectory & Aerodynamic Analysis subteam!

She recently completed her second summer internship at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center as a Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) intern! During her internship, she worked on the validation and verification of CFD simulations for a cryogenic liquid propellant tank, helping expand our understanding of propellant tank self-pressurization in microgravity conditions.

Looking ahead, Lana plans to complete her master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, focusing her thesis on reducing CFD errors using Error Transport Equations (ETEs).

Outside of engineering, Lana enjoys drawing and animation and is currently working on her own webcomic!

10/05/2026

🚀 Member Monday: meet David!

David is a freshman studying Materials Science & Engineering and is part of our Research & Development subteam!

He has already spent two summers at NASA Langley. His first summer was as a student volunteer in the Advanced Materials & Processing Branch. His second summer was as a lab technician in the Materials Research Laboratory, where he tested crack growth in the metal liners of composite pressure vessels used in spaceflight. He also supported projects on ablative materials, high-speed impact testing for astronaut suits, and a thruster valve failure analysis.

Looking ahead, David plans to become a professor, either through grad school right away or after a stint in the aerospace industry, with NASA or another aerospace company as his dream stop.

Fun fact: David’s our only Materials Scientist!

10/01/2026

We build rockets. Now we need someone to build our website. 🚀

OLVT is looking for a web developer + designer to help rebuild our site, from pages for our launch vehicles to profiles for every subteam. If you love clean design and want a real project for your portfolio, we’d love to hear from you.

Questions? DM us or reach out to Max Hetz.

09/30/2026

RECRUITMENT BRIEF 001 // STATUS: OPEN 🚀

OLVT is looking for a web developer + designer to rebuild our website from the ground up.

The objective: a fast, modern hub that finally matches the hardware. That means pages for all 7 of our launch vehicles, profiles for every subteam, a sponsor and partner directory, and new Join/Contact forms.

What you bring:
▸ React, Next.js, Vue, HTML/CSS/JS, or Webflow/Framer
▸ Mobile-first, responsive design
▸ A portfolio with clean, modern layouts (tech or research projects are a plus)
▸ Sections built so our team leads can keep them updated

Want to push it further? A 3D rocket viewer, a showcase of our lab, and a live launch feed are all on the table.

Launch sequence: portfolio review → strategy call → kickoff. Target completion is Oct 20.

💬 Questions? Contact Max Hetz at [email protected] or DM us.

Swipe through for the full brief →

09/28/2026

🚀 Member Monday: meet Brandon!

Brandon joined OLVT in fall 2023 and has done a bit of everything, starting in Avionics, moving to CAD structures, and is now doing hands-on manufacturing for the rocket!

This summer he interned at Spirit Defense, a Boeing Company, where he worked on low-melt alloys and carbon fiber composite manufacturing and was chosen to present his project to company CEOs and CTOs. After graduating with his Aerospace and Ocean Engineering degree, he’s headed to Wichita, KS, to work full-time for Boeing as an engineer. 🎉

His favorite part of OLVT? “It feels like family. Everyone is welcoming, determined, and happy to teach you, but they also let you make your own mistakes so you actually learn.”

08/27/2026

Recruitment season isn’t over yet! Come see us at Gobblerfest tomorrow on the Drillfield!

08/25/2026

Hey Hokies! Missed us at the COE social? See us this Wednesday at our interest meeting! Scan the qr code to stay in the loop with updates regarding recruitment! Hope to see you all soon!

Address

501 Industrial Park Road
Blacksburg, VA
24060

Website

https://olvt.org/

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