Rio Grande Valley students successfully launched and recovered a student-built high-powered rocket called Project Vortex at Hearne Municipal Airport on Saturday.

According to a news release, the rocket launched at approximately 11 a.m. and reached a confirmed altitude of 8,300 feet. It hit a maximum speed of approximately 900 feet per second during its ascent.

After reaching its peak altitude, the rocket's drogue parachute deployed, slowing and stabilizing it during the first stage of descent. At approximately 1,000 feet, the main parachute deployed to slow the rocket further and allow for a safe landing.

The team then located and recovered Project Vortex, completing its first full flight and recovery sequence.

The news release said the mission marks the end of months of work by students in the South Texas Astronomical Society's Launchpad program. Students designed, built, tested and prepared the rocket before traveling from the Valley to Hearne, Texas for the launch.

The team had set 10,000 feet as a design target for Project Vortex, drawing inspiration from collegiate-level rocketry competitions. The target served as an engineering benchmark rather than the only measure of success.

Completing the full flight and recovery sequence is considered a significant engineering accomplishment. High-powered rocketry requires teams to navigate design, fabrication, testing, inspection, launch operations and recovery, with technical challenges possible at every stage.

Project Vortex cleared those hurdles on its first launch. The rocket completed its ascent, deployed both stages of its recovery system as designed, landed safely and was recovered by the team.