2014 Student Rocket

Program

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Intern_RocketLaunch.shtml

Request for Payload

Proposals

2014 Student Rocket

ProgramRequest for

Payload Proposals

Student Rocket ProgramUnited Launch Alliance (ULA) and Ball Aerospace have created a unique educational program that sponsors an annual launch event for large high-power sport rockets. The rockets will launch in July 2014 near Pueblo, Colorado, and will fly to between 4,000 and 10,000 feet above the ground.

The rockets will carry payloads designed and built by elementary, middle and high school student teams. What’s a payload? Payloads are objects, simple or complex, that are carried by the rockets high into the sky, and then deployed (if desired) from the rocket. A payload can be almost anything a team can dream up. There is no cost to the students/schools to fly payloads on the rockets.

The program involves- ULA college interns, who will build the rockets- Ball college interns, who will build five large payloads- Twelve elementary, middle, and high school teams (from Colorado and other states), who will

design and build small payloads- All participants are encouraged to attend and participate in the launch

The program objectives are to- Give students design, analysis, test, and hands-on fabrication experience- Allow students to be involved in launching the largest civilian rocket in the state of Colorado- Provide a fun and enriching experience that motivates students to pursue a technical career

Wanted: Elementary Schools, Middle School, and High Schools interested in forming a team to design and build a payload

- Teams should be led by a teacher or mentor associated with the school- Teams will be supported by ULA or Ball engineers/mentors as needed- Schedule:

- Interested teams should notify ULA of their intent to participate as soon as possible- Team leaders need to submit a simple payload proposal to ULA by Jan. 25, 2014 - 12 Winning Payload Teams will be notified by Feb. 1, 2014- Launch is tentatively planned for July 26, 2014

- See proposal form at the end of this presentation for detailed instructions

Rocket & Payload LineupThese rockets are planned to be launched in 2014

Payload compartments are shown in yellowPayload Class indicated in blue font next to payload compartment

Future Rocket300” tall

(3) N Class Engines8000 feet altitude

Stars N O Stripes Rocket200” tall

O Class Engine6000 feet altitude

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 3

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 4

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 1

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 2

Payl

oad

1Pa

yloa

d 2

Atlas IVRocket120” tall

M Class Engine7000 feet altitude

PL 1

7

Payl

oad

4

1415

13

16

1011

9

12

67

5

8

Payl

oad

3Pa

yloa

d 3

Payload Provider: Ball Aerospace7.5” dia x 10” long

A

C

B

CGGGGGGGGGGGG

Payload Provider: STEM AcademyPayload Provider: STEM AcademyPayload Provider: STEM AcademyPayload Provider: STEM Academy Payload Provider: Eaglecrest HSPayload Provider: Eaglecrest HSPayload Provider: Bob Jones HS Payload Provider: Northglenn HS Payload Provider: Mountain Vista HS Payload Provider: Mountain Vista HS Payload Provider: Mountain Vista HS Payload Provider: Mountain Vista HS

6’-5” Peyton Manning (shown for scale reference)

2013 schools shown

2014 schools are TBD

Class B Payload (Stars “N” Stripes Rocket)Dimensions: 20” Long x 11.4” DiaMass Limit: 20 lbs max# Available: 1

Payload Classes

Class A Payload (Future Rocket)Dimensions: 34” Long x 11.4” DiaMass Limit: 25 lbs max# Available: 1

Class C Payload (Future or Stars “N” Stripes)Dimensions: 17” Long x 7.5” DiaMass Limit: 10 lbs max# Available: 2

Class G Payload (Future Rocket)Dimensions: 6” Long x 3.9” DiaMass Limit: 3 lbs max# Available: 12

A

B

C

G

Classes A, B, C arefor Ball Aerospace Interns

Class G is for Elem., Middle, andand High School Teams

Payload Requirements1. Payloads can be electrically & functionally active or passive, simple or complicated. They can be or do almost anything you can dream up.

2. Payloads may not include live animals (except insects), explosives, flammable liquids, bio-hazards or nuclear materials. Small pyrotechnics for device actuation are permissible.

3. Class A, B, C, D, and E Class payloads will be deployed/jettisoned from rocket. Class F and G payloads can be deployed or remain in rocket (payload choice). If Class F or G payloads are not deployed their length can increase by 3” over length specified.

4. Estimated maximum acceleration during flight (except at jettison) = 10 g’s. Estimated maximum acceleration during payload jettison = 100 g’s. - In Other Words - make your payload sturdy. A good test to see if your payload is sturdy enough is to drop it from a height of 3 feet onto a medium thickness carpeted floor so it lands vertically on the end that will be adjacent to the ejection piston in the rocket.

- If it survives this drop test, it should survive the jettison/ejection event in flight. - If your payload will not be jettisoned from the rocket, a drop test from 6 inches (in flight orientation) is sufficient

5. Each payload team will be provided a Payload Tube. - A Payload Tube is a phenolic-reinforced cardboard tube that matches the maximum dimensions specified for each class of

payload, i.e. 6” long x 3.9” diameter for a Class G payload. This is the largest possible tube that will fit inside your payload’s compartment in the rocket. You should write the name and address of your team on the payload tube, but do not paint outside of the tube or it may not fit in its compartment. The Payload Tube can be used in several ways:

1) It can be used as the outer structure of the payload, i.e. items can be installed inside or attached to the inside of Payload Tube, 2) the Payload Tube can be split into two 180 degree half shells that surround payload and protect it during jettison, then fall away from your payload after jettison, 3) or you don’t need to use the Payload Tube as apart of your payload. In this case you should use it as a fit check tube. If your payload fits in the payload tube, it will fit in the rocket.

6. A parachute or other provision shall be used to ensure that payload does not descend at more than 20 mph.

7. Payload maximum allowable dimensions must include a payload parachute if applicable, i.e. a Class G payload compartment (6” long x 3.9” diameter) can accommodate a 5.25” long x 3.9” diameter payload plus a 0.75” long x 3.9” diameter packed parachute.

8. Payloads installation in the rocket must be complete with no further access at least 60 minutes (preferably 90-120 minutes) prior to launch. - Lesson Learned: Test your payload if applicable to ensure it has adequate battery life and/or memory- Lesson Learned: Test your payload to ensure it does not auto-power-off after 60 minutes or less of inactivity, darkness, quiet, etc.- Lesson Learned: Temperature of payload in the rocket prior to launch may reach 120 deg F or higher depending on weather

9. If a payload plans to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals, such transmissions shall be coordinated in advance with ULA. Due to possible interference with rocket system electronics, payloads may not transmit RF signals until after the payload has been ejected from rocket.

10. Large payloads shall be designed to be installed the day before launch. Power application shall occur on the launch pad approx 1 hr before launch, with the payload in the rocket. Payload shall coordinate with rocket the means for applying power.

ROCKET &PARACHUTE

100 ALIENPARATROOPERS

SMOKEGRENADE

MULTIPLESENSORS

HUMANSPACEFLIGHTEXPERIMENT

CAMERA

TRACKINGBEACON

BALLFLAG

2009 Payload Deployment Photo

Payload Ideas

A payload can be almost anything you can dream up, from something very simple to something very complex. See the table to get an idea of the K-12 payloads (starting at line 20) that teams attempted in the past. You can re-attempt any of the previous concepts, or come up with something totally new!

FutureFlight Profile

LiftoffT+0 secAltitude = 0 feet AGLAltitude = 5400 feet MSLVelocity = 0+ mph

1st Stage JettisonT+8 secAltitude = 2300 feet AGLVelocity = 240 mph

2nd Stage Engine IgnitionT+9 secAltitude = 2600 feet AGLVelocity = 210 mph

2nd Stage Engine BurnoutT+16 secAltitude = 5700 feet AGLVelocity = 310 mph

Apogee – Drogue Chute DeploymentT+30 to T+37 secAltitude = 8000 feet AGL

Fast Fall Under DrogueSmall Payloads DeployT+40 sec to T+55 secVelocity = 45 mph

Nose Cone, Large Payload, andMain Parachute DeploymentT+60 secVelocity = 45 mphAltitude = 6500 feet AGLNose Cone Payload &

Parachute DeploymentT+65 secVelocity = 80 mphAltitude = 6000 feet AGL

Touchdown of ModulesT+200-600 secVelocity = 10-20 mph

1st StageChute DeploymentT+15 sec

T+40

T+43

T+46

T+49

T+52T+55

T+40

T+43

T+46

T+49

T+52

T+55

Photos by Ray LaPanse

1

Section View A-AElem.-High School Payload

Installed in Rocket

Class G Payload3.90” dia x 6” long (max)

TetheredEjection Piston

Ejection Cylinder(3.90” inner diameter)

0.66 Gram Black Powder

Explosive ChargeRocket Airframe

Cover Plate

Parachute

A A

2

3

4

Ejection Sequence1. At specified time in flight, small explosive charge fires2. Pressure from charge pushes against piston & payload3. Cover plate breaks free of rocket4. Payload flies free of rocket5. Parachute deploys

5

Class G Payload Accommodationsand Ejection Sequence

Tape

The following vendors sell parts that could be used to build rocket or payloads. You are not limited to these sources, but they are a good place to start.Misc rocketry components: http://www.giantleaprocketry.com/hpdefault.aspMisc rocketry components: https://blastzone.com/pml/Misc rocketry components: https://blastzone.com/performancehobbies/store.asp?groupid=21402114310527Misc parts, fasteners, materials: http://www.mcmaster.com/#Airborne Cameras: http://www.boostervision.com/boostervision/default.aspTimers and Altimeters: http://www.perfectflite.com/Parachutes: http://topflightrecoveryllc.homestead.com/National Assn of Rocketry Website: http://www.nar.org/Misc Electronics: http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jspMisc Electronics: www.sparkfun.com

2009 Launch Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWAeLX7sevI2011 Launch Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eawfOv-xApE2012 ULA Intern Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5any16sBT5Y2013 Launch Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYlaa6KAhOA

Short videos from previous ULA/Ball rocket launch events.

Additional Information

Send questions, comments, and proposal forms to:Greg ArendUnited Launch Alliancegreg.j.arend@ulalaunch.com

Stars “N” Stripes rocket fires retro rockets on its fin tips to limit its altitude

Photo by Ray LaPanse

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Intern_RocketLaunch.shtmlULA Intern Rocket Program Home Page:

2014 Payload Proposal FormTitle/Name of your Payload Concept: Type your Payload Name here

Team Leader Name and Contact Info: Name / School / Phone / E-mail address / Paper mail address

Payload Concept Description: Describe what your payload will be, how it will work, and what it will be made of. Provide as much info as you know. It is OK to add sketches, photos, etc. if you have them.

Team Description: Describe who will work on the project with the team leader (for example, 3rd grade elementary class, 8th grade Earth science class, 10th grade shop class, 12th grade physics class). Describe resources available to the team (for example, work facility, tools, payload materials).

Are any members of your team planning to attend the launch in person? Yes, No, or Undecided

Sell Your Project/Team Here: Tell us why you want to do this. Convince us that you can achieve your objectives. Tell us you will be dedicated to deliver a product that has a reasonable chance of working. Are there any unique discriminators that set your team apart?

If your payload is Not selected for a firm launch slot, will you build a payload for a standby slot? Yes or No (We plan to launch 12 payloads built by K-12 teams. It is possible that one or more of these payloads may not be ready for launch by launch day. Therefore, in addition to awarding 12 firm launch slots, we may award 2 additional standby launch slots that may fly in 2014 if any of the firm payloads fail to show up ready for launch. If the standby payloads are built but do not get to fly in 2014, they will be awarded a firm launch spot on the 2015 rocket.)

Instructions1. Complete the information requested above in the space provided (red text). 2. If you think your school wants to participate in the July 26, 2014, launch event, please notify ULA (reference contact info below) of your intent to participate as soon as possible, so

that we may understand the extent of elem.-high school interest and send out more, or stop sending, requests for proposals to additional high schools as appropriate.3. Submit this proposal form to ULA by Jan 25, 2014. 4. Proposal team leaders will be notified by Feb 1, 2014 if their payload has been selected to fly on the ULA rocket. 5. Chances of being awarded a payload spot on the rocket depend on the number of proposals submitted. Proposals will be judged based on creativity, credibility, and completeness. 6. There is no cost to the school to fly on the rocket. 7. A team may submit more than one proposal, but no team will be awarded more than one payload spot on the rocket unless there are more spots available than proposals received. 8. This form may be expanded to multiple pages if required. 9. ULA and Ball engineers can be available to consult with the elem.-high school payload teams as required during the development of the payloads.10. Contact Info: Submit questions, Notification of Your Intent to Participate, and Proposals via e-mail to Greg Arend at greg.j.arend@ulalaunch.com