FalconLaunch 6 test-fire ends with a 'bang'

The FalconLaunch 6 rocket static test fire in Jacks Valley at the Air Force Academy ended explosively Nov. 4, 2009, as the rocket fired for a fraction of a second and then exploded. The purpose of the static test-fire was to validate a new data acquisition system and perform further testing on an igniter design that was developed the previous academic year. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Mike Kaplan)

Physicists probe mystery of "black silicon"

The surface structure of black silicon, as imaged by an electron microscope, contains towers and valleys that dramatically increase the substance's surface area. Physicists theorize the structure contributes to black silicon's efficiency in absorbing light. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Academy ranked No. 1 among Western 4-year schools

Maj. Steven Hendricks works with Class of 2012 Cadets Andrew Bolton and Michael Beaulieu on an Engineering 101 project at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 5, 2009. The Academy was recently ranked best undergraduate school in the Western United States by U.S. News and World Report magazine for the third straight year. Major Hendricks is an assistant professor for the Academy's Department of Mechanical Engineering. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dave Ahlschwede)

Academy ranked No. 1 among Western 4-year schools

Maj. Douglas Bayley assists Class of 2009 Cadet Daniel O'Sullivan with a project in the U.S. Air Force Academy's astronautics laboratory Feb. 2, 2009. The Air Force Academy was recently ranked as the top undergraduate school in the western United States by U.S. News and World Report magazine. Major Bayley is an instructor with the Academy's Department of Astronautics. Cadet Sullivan graduated in 2009 and now attends undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dave Ahlschwede)

Top high school chemists hit Academy labs

Alex Chang from Torrey Pines High School in San Diego measures the result of an experiment in a U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Chemistry laboratory June 5. Chang was one of 20 teenage chemists here for a Chemistry Olympiad training camp, competing for one of four spots on the U.S. team that will travel to the international Chemistry Olympiad in England in July. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

Top high school chemists hit Academy labs

John Rosenberg from Barrington High School in Barrington, Ill., combines precise amounts of reagents during a recrystalization experiment in a U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Chemistry laboratory at the Academy June 5. Rosenberg was one of 20 teenage chemists here for a Chemistry Olympiad training camp, competing for one of four spots on the U.S. team that will travel to the international Chemistry Olympiad in England in July. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rachel Boettcher)

CMSAF engages with Academy Airmen

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley talks with the 2009 graduating class during his visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 3. Chief McKinley, the 15th Airman to hold the Air Force's top enlisted position, visited in part to provide a senior enlisted perspective to senior cadets and cadet candidates at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher DeWitt)

Academy space fleet continues to grow

Cadet 1st Class Tyler Stecker creates an umbilical pairing for the flight model of FalconSAT-5 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., March 17. The umbilical pairing will allow the satellite?s batteries to be continually charged until launch. FalconSAT-5 is slated for launch in December. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dave Armer)