Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition

Spring 2015

EML 4551 - Ethics and Design Project Organization

Team Members

Giancarlo Lombardi Christopher Hayes Maryel A. Gonzalez

OVERVIEW

• Problem Statement• System Level Design Challenges and Goals• Airframe Design• Recovery System Design• Propulsion System Design• Rapid Airbrake Deployment System (RADS)• Computer Simulations• Testing and Validation•Engineering Standards•Curriculum Applications• Global Learning Applications• Team Poster

Problem Statement

• Design and construct a Rocket capable of lifting a 10 lb payload to 10,000 feet above ground level.

System Level Design Challenges and Goals

Propulsion System• Simple Design• Highest Thrust to Weight Ratio

Recovery System• Dual Deployment• Focus on Reliability/Redundancy

Airframe• Lightweight Design• Structural Strength and Integrity• Aerodynamic Performance

Altitude Targeting System• Airbrake parachute• Onboard atmospheric sampling computer

Airframe and Related Components

• Focus on strength material choice– Composite materials vs. Aluminum

• Emphasis on Stability– Placement of center of gravity and pressure

• Structural Integrity– Bulkheads, Fins, Centering Rings

Propulsion System

1. Solid

Three Types to be evaluated

2. Hybrid 3. Liquid

Solid Motor Cross Section View

Liquid Motor Cross Section View

Hybrid Motor Cross Section View

Propulsion System Design Comparison

Solid Motor Hybrid Motor Liquid Motor

Advantages • Simple Design• High-Power

• Simple Design• Low Cost• Controlled Reaction

• High Power

Disadvantages

• Uncontrolled Reaction• Difficult to Simulate• Lower Reliability• Safety hazards

• Lower Power • Complex Design• High Cost

Recovery System

Dedicated Recovery Computer• Commercially available flight computer/altimeter• Logs altitude, velocity, temperature, voltage

Dual Deployment• Drogue Parachute will be deployed at apogee• Main Parachute will be deployed at 1000 feet

Materials• Focus on high strength materials for shock cords, Eye bolts, and Parachutes.

Altitude Targeting System

Custom Flight Computer• Reads and interpolates pressure information to

accurately determine altitude and velocity• Predicts when to deploy air brake in order to

accurately reach 10,000 foot maximum goal

Air-brake Parachute• Rapid deployment parachute packing and ejection

scheme• Airbrake parachute will also double as drogue

Simulation Software

• Rocksim– Obtain theoretical flight profile and rocket stability

Simulation Software – cont.

Solidworks• Modeling

Verification of Geometry

• Simulation Structural External Flow

Ansys• Redundancy Testing

Testing and Validation

• Static Fire Test– Contained burn of rocket

motor to validate expected thrust curve

• Airframe Structure test– Compression load test to

simulate in-flight stresses on airframe

Testing and Validation – cont.

Ground Ejection tests• Purpose: confirm good section

separation to allow parachute ejection

Air Brake System Test• Confirm functionality of air brake

system on a subscale rocket

Curriculum Applications

• Fluid Mechanics• Gas Dynamics– Supersonic speeds, compressible fluid flows, and nozzle design

present• Mechanics of Materials– Appropriate materials must be selected to ensure structural

integrity of rocket during flight

Engineering Standards Observed

• NAR High Power Safety Code• National Fire Protection Association Code for High Power

Rocketry (NFPA 1127) Chapter 2• Federal Aviation Administration Code of Federal Regulations

Part 101 Subpart C• ATF – Federal Explosives Law and Regulations Part 555 • ANSI B11.0 Machinery Safety Standards

Global Learning

• Cost-effective approach to manufacture and assemble rocket, maximizing access for the public

• Strict adherence to established codes and standards to ensure personnel safety

• Using SI / English units

Problem Statement • Design a sounding rocket capable

of launching a 10-pound payload to an altitude of 10,000 feet.

Responsibilities

Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition

Team Member Tasks and Responsibilities

Maryel A. Gonzalez

• Sounding rocket research• Rocket assembly and

testing• Structural analysis • Project fundraising

Christopher Hayes

• Research and design of rocket

• Solidworks modeling and simulations

• Rocket assembly and testing

Giancarlo Lombardi

• Cost-effectiveness analysis of rocket components

• Testing and manufacturing of rocket prototype

• Airframe material analysis

Design Objectives• Minimize Weight• Minimize Cost • Environmentally-friendly fuels

Motivation• Increase access to space for the

public• Develop cost-effective method of

entering space

Timeline

Team Members Faculty advisor

Maryel A. Gonzalez Christopher Hayes Giancarlo Lombardi Dr. Benjamin Boesl

Jan-1

5

Feb

-15

Mar

-15

Apr-

15

May

-15

Jun-1

5

Jul-15

Aug-1

5

Sep

-15

Oct

-15

Nov-

15

Dec

-15

ResearchDesign, Analysis, Simulation

ManufacturingAssemblyTesting

Presentation & Final Report