Overview of
The Human-Powered Submarine
Team of Virginia Tech
The Human-Powered Submarine (HPS) Team is one of many student-run engineering design teams that are the pride of Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. The team's mission is to design, build, and race submarines that are propelled solely by human power. Although such a project could be accomplished relatively simply, to do it well requires the integration of many aspects of both engineering and liberal arts disciplines. Building a functional boat and competing each year requires the teamwork of many students who understand hydrodynamics, electronics, composite materials, biomechanics, machining, and administration. Participation on the team gives students a practical application of engineering and allows them to see the design progress from concept, to plan, to functional boat, as well as experience the thrill of competition. The team's efforts are partially funded through Virginia Tech's engineering departments, but most of the material and monetary sponsorship comes from private companies. Sponsorship has helped the HPS team to excel in previous competitions.
The Human-Powered Submarine Team of Virginia Tech has had three outstanding years in a row. At the HPS 2000 competition in Escondido, California, the team won top awards in 5 of the 8 categories, including fastest one-person propeller-driven submarine and the Overall Engineering Award. In 2001, the team traveled to the David Taylor Model Basin in Carderock, Maryland, for the 6th International Submarine Races (ISR). Virginia Tech's top speed was the third fastest at the competition and the team won three other valuable honors. Team member Dotty McDowell set the world speed record for a woman in a single-person propeller-driven submarine; the team was presented with the prize for Overall Performance at the races; and, the Department of Defense Engineering Award. This past summer, the team returned to Escondido to compete in HPS 2002 with their newest submarine, Phantom 4. Built using all new technology, the boat performed exceptionally well and impressed the judges and competitors. The team was once again presented with the Overall Engineering Award as well as first place awards in the Best Submarine Design and Innovation categories. These two first place awards, along with four second place finishes in the remaining five categories, helped the team repeat as World Champions for the third year.
The HPS team's previous success has helped establish future goals. Advancing the manufacturing processes of the submarine and the technology used in the various systems remain important objectives for the team. The chiefs of each crew are working closely to coordinate their efforts toward the completion of the submarine for the 7th ISR competition in June 2003.
The Human-Powered Submarine Team at Virginia Tech is a University Club,
sponsored largely by
The Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Department
and the
The College of Engineering
with additional support by
The Mechanical Engineering Department
and the
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering
as well as many
Corporate Sponsors.
The team is comprised and run entirely by undergraduates in the various engineering disciplines, as
well as other University departments.
Everyone is welcome to Join the Phantom Team.