The University of Tennessee Space Institute has an additional reason to be proud of UTSI Graduate Research Assistant Eric Jacob these days. Eric, who is working on his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, took first place in the Master’s Division for the presentation of a technical paper during The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Southeastern Regional Student Conference held in Savannah, Georgia in April.

Eric’s paper entitled “The Effect of Oxidizer-Laced Hybrid Rocket Regression Rates and Performance,” discussed the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid rocket engines, and offered a proposal to resolve the disadvantage of a low regression rate. Eric’s paper explained that hybrid rockets are becoming popular because they are “intrinsically safer than solid or liquid rockets.”

Eric earned the top honor competing against participants from University of Central Florida, University of Florida, Mississippi State, Auburn, University of Memphis, and University of Alabama. UTSI Chief Operating Officer Dr. Donald Daniel said, “Eric’s paper is an excellent example of UTSI’s best and continues a tradition of well-deserved recognition for our students.”

“I’d like to thank my faculty advisor, Dr. Gary Flandro, for inspiration, classmates Sean Fischbach, Mark Olles and Josh Batterson for all their help, and Joel Davenport for extensive technical support,” said Eric.

Eric earned his Master’s degree from UTSI in December 2006 and continues to work toward his Ph.D. He is a native of Wisconsin, and, when he isn’t in the lab experimenting with rockets, he enjoys playing on the UTSI softball team.

UTSI’S ERIC JACOB WRITES AIAA FIRST PLACE PAPER – UTSI Student and Graduate Research Assistant Eric Jacob is shown seated with his faculty advisor Dr. Gary Flandro. Eric is holding the first place certificate he received for his technical paper at The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Southeastern Regional Student Conference that was held in Savannah, Georgia in April. Standing behind Eric are (left to right) Sean Fischbach and Mark Olles, fellow GRA’s who worked with Eric on the project.

–UTSI Photo by Shanna Relford