University of Windsor rocketry team members Daniel Accettola, Mathew Estrela, Ian Powell, Gianluca Romanzin and Nick Pinkney at Launch Canada 2025 in Timmins, Ont. (Courtesy Mark Gryn)
By Lindsay Charlton
Go for launch.
In Timmins, Ont., the University of Windsor Rocketry team, along with student teams from across the country, designed, built and launched high-power rockets in the 2025 Launch Canada competition last month.
The national aerospace engineering challenge tested teams’ innovation, accuracy, teamwork and strength under real-world conditions as they launched their designs.
The team, consisting of students Daniel Accettola, Mathew Estrela, Ian Powell, Gianluca Romanzin and Nick Pinkney, arrived at the event with a nearly complete high-power rocket, working quickly to resolve a few issues and using improvised tools and materials to prepare it for takeoff.
University of Windsor rocketry team's rocket takes off at Launch Canada 2025 in Timmins, Ont. (Courtesy Mark Gryn)
“Setbacks pushed us to think differently, problems became lessons, and every success rested on the resilience of the team,” said UWindsor team lead Pinkney, a mechanical, automotive and materials engineering student.
On the third day of the competition, in a remote northern forest about 1.5 hours outside of town, teams prepared for launch.
Countdown, flame, and lift-off. Success!
But there was a snag. The team lost connection with the GPS tracker mid-launch. They were able to see it had landed among the trees, explained Mark Gryn, Faculty of Engineering systems administrator and the team’s mentor.
“We spent some time bashing through the woods that afternoon but were unable to locate the rocket,” he said.
“We went back out the next morning for another look and again could not locate it. We had to suspend searching during launch operations as our rocket was in the ballistic zone. A couple of the students went out with a member of the LC recovery team after launch activity ended, but again could not locate it.”
Determined, the team went out for another search, this time with the GPS receiver. Somehow, they managed to get a signal from the tracker.
“The rocket had landed in a dense bush, and there was no way we would have found it without the tracker,” Gryn explained.
The rocket was retrieved with all parts intact and only minimal damage.
The team’s valiant efforts earned them the “Boy Scout Award” from the Launch Canada judges.
“Our students did a fantastic job representing the University of Windsor. Throughout the entire event they were upbeat, polite and in good spirits. On the last day they also assisted with taking down some of the launch site. I was proud to be a small part of the team this year,” Gryn said.
While some members of the team have since graduated, Pinkney and Accettola plan to return next year with plans to fly faster and higher.
“Launch Canada was only the beginning for us,” Pinkney said. “Even when things felt impossible, our team found a way forward, and with the support we felt from everyone there, we’re ready to aim even higher next season.”