LOGAN, Utah USA — A rocket built by Utah State students will compete against space craft from 10 other universities in NASA's elite University Student Launch Initiative.

"We aren't going to come in second," said Stephen Whitmore, a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor who mentors the 18 students on USU's "Chimaera Team."

The competition is scheduled for April.

Rockets in the contest are designed to fly just one mile.

A test launch of USU's hybrid rocket, that uses solid fuel for thrust and a nitrous oxide liquid oxidizer, is planned for March.

Team member and engineering student Jeff St. Clair says the rocket is the only one of its kind in the competition.

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