Hello! I'm Adam!
I am currently a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio studying Mechanical Engineering. Through my involvement in the "Aeronautics and Rocket Club" at UTSA, I have demonstrated a clear motivation as an aspiring Mechanical Engineer with experience in designing and manufacturing. I desire to be involved with an innovative organization where I can have the opportunity to make an impact on the aerospace community.
Adam Knippa
Castroville, TX
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Email: Adam.Knippa@my.utsa.edu
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Phone Number: (254) 563 - 5996
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Education: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Technical Experience
October 2020 - Present
Design and Dynamics Lead - Spaceport America Cup
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Managed a team of engineering students throughout all aspects of the design and construction of a twelve-foot two stage rocket launching on a complex M motor, capable of carrying a ten-pound payload to 10,000ft above ground level.
January 2021 - Present
National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and Tripoli Level 2 HPR Certification
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Designed, constructed, and successfully launched a high-power rocket on a J class motor to 3,100ft utilizing on board avionics to operate the deployment of recovery devices
October 2019 - April 2020
Safety Lead - NASA Student Launch
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Led a team of 20 members to ensure the safety of the design and launch day events of nine-foot-tall rocket launching on a L class motor to 4,000 ft agl carrying a ten-pound rover payload.
Personal Projects
October 2020 - Present
ACME CO. "Spaceport America Cup Rocket"
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Acme Co. is a sixty-pound, twelve foot tall, two stage rocket that was designed and constructed for the Spaceport America Cup competition near Las Cruces, New Mexico
January 2021 - Present
This Side Up "NASA Student Launch Rocket
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This Side Up is a 40 pound, 8-foot-tall rocket designed and constructed by the Aeronautics and Rocket Club in collaboration with Advanced Robotics to compete in NASA Student Launch.
October 2019 - April 2020
Blauer Drache (Blue Dragon) "L2 Class Rocket"
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Blue Dragon is a modified SBR Thor that is designed to launch on a Aerotech L1000 to an Altitude of 6000 feet.
October 2020 - Present
Falke (Falcon) "Fiberglass Rocket"
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Falcon is a Fiberglass constructed rocket that is designed for overall durability. The rocket is designed to fly on I and J class motors to altitudes between 4,000 and 6,000 feet.
January 2021 - Present
JAEK (Just an Estes Kit) "Estes High Power Conversion"
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JAEK is a converted Estes Vapor kit that was modified to fly on a J class motor to achieve an altitude of 10,000 feet at a speed of Mach 2.
October 2019 - April 2020
Ursa Major/Minor "Single/Two Stage L2 Class Rocket"
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Ursa Major/Minor is a Single stage rocket that can be easily modified to fly as a two-stage rocket. The single stage variant was launched for my level 2 certification launching on a Aerotech J270 using an eggtimer altimeter to perform dual deployment recovery flying to 3,000 feet.
October 2020 - Present
January 2021 - Present
October 2019 - April 2020
Adler (Eagle) "L1 Class Rocket"
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Adler is a 3-foot-tall single stage rocket that was designed and flown to achieve a level 1 high power certification
Wood Working
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Through a completion of a multitude of woodworking projects I have learned the importance of design, planning, and construction.
Leather Working
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Working with leather provided the unique opportunity to think about design from a different perspective due to it being similar to fabric.
Work Experience
August 2019 - Present
Outdoor Pursuits Workbench Coordinator
UTSA Campus Recreation and Wellness Center
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Established a clear workflow utilizing Airtable and Inosoft Fusion to eliminate gray area for assistants imputing equipment
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Manage the maintenance and quality of over 500 pieces of equipment and handling purchase orders for required supplies
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Maintain safe facility operations at the rock wall and outdoor resource center
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Maintain a high level of communication with fellow coordinators and assistants while being receptive to constructive criticism
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Contact and invoice customers for evaluated repair costs of equipment
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Lead trainings on technical and leadership skill development
January 2019 - August 2019
Outdoor Pursuits Assistant
UTSA Campus Recreation and Wellness Center
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Interact with customers and ensure equpment is properly checked out
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Inspect equipment upon return to evaluate if repairs are needed
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Handle Transactions of late fees and trip fees
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Operate the rock wall through checking out equipment and belaying patrons
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Co-lead Technical skills clinics
June 2016 - January 2019
Loader and Store Assistant
True Value
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Maintained positive customer interactions through sales of hardware.
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Gave knowledgeable product recommendations and tips and tricks to help customers complete a task.
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Maintained inventory and organization within the store
Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Bachelor's Degree
Honors
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Who's Who at UTSA Award
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President's List - Spring 2019
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Dean's List - Fall 2018
Relevant Courses
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Materials Engineering
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Manufacturing Engineering
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Fluids
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Thermodynamics I & II
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Compressible Flow
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Machine Element Design
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Dynamic Systems and Controls
Technical Skills
Solid Works
Technical Drawings GD&T
Open Rocket
RAS Aero II
Tera Term
Putty
Additive Manufacturing