Our team, from Scripps Ranch, San Diego, aims to build a rocket that can reach 790 feet in altitude and safely descend to the ground within 41-44 seconds. Our team devotes 10 hours per week, to designing, building, and refining our rockets, to achieve the specific performance goals we set for our rocket. With our team’s commitment to reaching nationals stronger than ever, we are determined to consistently improve our rockets to perform better and better.

We don’t just compete — we give back. TWS Horizons has been hosting completely free summer workshops in collaboration with the San Diego Public Library for 4 years, where over 100 young engineers have learned about the principles of rocketry and have even launched their own built rockets, all under the supervision of our talented team members. We’ve received plenty of positive feedback from students and their parents, and our goal is to expand this program with each coming year.

By supporting TWS Horizons, you’re not just funding a team; you’re investing in the future of students, passionate about the fundamentals of Aerospace. With many of our team members planning to pursue engineering careers, experiences in this team, such as using 3D printers, CAD, learning OpenRocket, a software we use to model launches, and performing real-world launches, are precious. This knowledge isn’t kept secret within the team, as we give back to the community by hosting workshops for kids interested in rocketry.

Aditya Phadke

Lead Marketer

My name is Aditya Phadke and I am a co-president for this team. I joined this team with Abheek and Chetan during my freshman year of high school just to be involved in more extracurriculars, but I ended up loving building rockets and launching them. This team has changed me so much. I earned real-world experience and grew as a leader. Now, I’m a junior at Scripps Ranch High School, wanting to major in aerospace engineering. I thank everyone on this team for creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Chetan Thotti

Lead Designer

Hi, my name is Chetan Thotti, and I am the co-president of our rocketry team. I joined the team during my sophomore year to apply my CAD skills to real-world projects, which allowed me to not only succeed in that goal but also develop a deep passion for building rockets. Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown as a leader by working with students from my school and the local community to share and spread my enthusiasm for rocketry. Currently, I am a senior at Scripps Ranch High School aspiring to major in Data Science.

Abheek Somchaudhuri

Lead Builder

Hello! My name is Abheek Somchaudhuri and I am one of the co-presidents of this team. I joined this team during my freshman year along with Chetan and Aditya as I began developing a curiosity towards rocketry watching my brother lead the team at the time. Since then, I have learned much about rocketry and our team's dynamics.  It has also been a very fulfilling experience to spread this interest with others in my community and teach the new generation about STEM principles. The experience and knowledge I have gathered in this team have further bolstered this interest as I pursue an education in STEM.

Arush Sastry

Launch Specialist

My name is Arush Sastry. I am a freshman at Scripps Ranch High School. I joined this team because I was interested in learning about rocketry, and through this program, I have developed a passion for building rockets. 

Raghav Vaidyanathan

Build Specialist

Hi, my name is Raghav Vaidyanathan and I am a sophomore at Scripps Ranch High School. I originally joined this team because of my interest in space and engineering, and it's been really fun to launch rockets as well as build camaraderie with my teammates in order to reach our shared goal. Furthermore, our team's workshops have been really fulfilling to me, as I get a chance to pass on my skills to the younger generation.  Though I'm not exactly sure what the future holds for me, rocketry will definitely play a part in it. Thanks!

Nidhi Mehta

Technology Specialist

Hi! My name is Nidhi Mehta. I am a junior at Scripps Ranch High School. I joined rocketry because I aspire to be an aerospace engineer. I love everything rocketry and robotics-related, and I love helping my community.