What is VT HPS?

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. Our team's mission is to design, build, and race submarines that are propelled and controlled entirely by a human pilot. To complete such a project requires the knowledge of various engineering and liberal arts disciplines. In order to build a functional submarine and be competitive at our biennial competition, the International Submarine Races, requires the teamwork of students who understand topics including hydrodynamics, electronics, composite materials, physics, 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.