Critical Design Reviewof “Mach Shock Reduction”

Phase II

January 2008

Statesville, NC

Presentation Outline

• Rocket specifications and predicted flight data

• Test Plans– Scale Model Testing– Recovery Tests

Rocket flight stability in Rocksim

static margin diagram

Motor selection in flight simulations

Cesaroni K1440 Motor Thrust Curve

Rail Exit Velocity

• The velocity of the rocket as it leaves the launch rail is predicted to be about 80 mph.

• At or near this velocity the rocket will be stable as it leaves the launch rail.

Parachute Sizes and Descent Rates

• At apogee till main parachute deployment our best guess is that the rocket will fall at a rate of 60 to 70 ft/s. This is based on flight data from similar rockets.

• From RockSim, the descent rate of the rocket after the main parachute ejection occurs is between 19 and 20 ft/s.

• Reverse thrust motor will fit onto rocket as a modified fiberglass nosecone.

• Receiver electronics will fit into rocket as an extra payload section between the main parachute bay and the reverse thrust motor.

• Small tubing will be run along the length of the rocket to accommodate the wires for the pressure sensors as well as the reverse thrust motor ignition.

Payload Integration Feasibility

Test plans and procedures

The team plans on conducting various test to ensure that the rocket is stable and safe.

• Check all cuts and make sure that all cuts are straight to prevent drag separation.

•Test to make sure that the amount of black powder used is enough to deploy the drogue and main chute.

•Test altimeters to make sure that they blow the ejection charges.

Scale Model Flight test

The scale model has not yet been launched due to weather issues but will hopefully be launched on January 29 and the data recorded by day of the presentation.

Dual Deployment Avionics Test

• Test altimeters in a variable pressure jar to determine if each can determine launch and apogee.

• Have electrical meters to main and secondary deployment contacts to determine if the altimeters tried to blow the ejection charges.

Ejection Charge Amount Test

• Go to online calculators and determine the amount of black powder recommended for our rocket.

• Ground test the rocket using this amount to determine if deployment of the rocket recovery system occurs.

• Adjust as necessary if ejection event is too weak or too strong.

Conclusion

• Presented rocket design, physical data and predicted flight data.

• Discussed scale model test results if completed.

• Discussed test plans going forward.