January 14, 2012
Length: 108.50 inches Diameter: 6 inches Mass: 258.836 oz. / 16.177 lbs. Span: 22 inches Center of Gravity: 74.42 inches Center of Pressure: 90.86 inches Safety Margin: 2.74
Single stage launch system Duel deployment recovery system Payload located within nose section
airframe Mirror angled for ground imaging
AeroTech K828F-J 54.0 mm diameter 22.8 in. length 1373.0 g propellant weight 2223.0 g total weight 862.88 N average thrust 1303.79 N peak thrust 2157.2 N-s total impulse 2.5 s thrust duration Black Max Propellant
*The center of gravity is forward of the center of pressure (closer to the nosecone)
Center of Gravity: 74.42 inches Center of Pressure: 90.86 inches Rocket Diameter: 6 inches
(90.86in.-74.42in.)/6in. =
Safety Margin: 2.74
Rail Exit Velocity: 95.95 ft/s Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: 11.99
Simulated weight is 16.177 lb loaded Camera mass is 19 g each
◦ Total camera mass of .17 lb Total payload with batteries is estimated at
3 lb Current motor allows for over 25% mass
increase◦ Rocket design will accommodate larger motors as
well
Main Parachute
Drogue Parachute
Size (in. diameter)
72 (deployed at 700 ft)
36 (deployed at apogee)
Harness Type rip-stop nylon shock cord
rip-stop nylon shock cord
Harness Size (in. thickness)
1 1
Harness Length (ft.)
15 12
Descent Rates (ft/s)
27.82 49.77
Descent (ft-lbf)
Landing (ft-lbf)
Section 1 6905.53 2157.62
Section 2 1123.34 350.99
Section 3 5650.78 1765.58
Section 1: Fin Section Section 2: Coupler Section Section 3: Nose Section
Wind Speed Model (MPH)
Max Altitude (ft)
Range at Landing (ft)
Calm (0-2) 5250.62 130.66
Light (3-7) 5246.59 239.93
Slightly Breezy (8-14)
5147.87 1740.32
Breezy (15-25)
4988.87 1906.16
Black Powder Charges Testing◦ Take place a week prior to launch
Altimeters Static Test of Motor
◦ Conducted at launch site Payload Testing and Confirmation
◦ Camera, Wiring, Storage Device, & Camera Mounts Testing Tracking, Transmitter and Receiver Testing of Batteries and Sensors Full-scale flights starting in February At least one test flight with the final rocket will
take place
Black Powder Charges Testing◦2 charges in each section◦Main: 2.65g and 3.00g◦Drogue: 1.97g and 2g
Vacuum testing for Stratologger Altimeters◦Pressure changes trigger altimeter
activity Full scale test flights
SMD◦ Arduino Mega2560 + Mircocontroller◦ BMP085 Pressure Sensor◦ TSL235R Light to Frequency Converter◦ UV Photodiodes JEC 0.3 A◦ GPS unit + Xbee pro 900 Wireless Transceiver
VALOR◦ IMU◦ GoPro Hero3 camera◦ Ground based targets
Fluorescent flags of 1sq. Meter
Design based on arduino ATmega2560 Removable payload bays and sleds Arming switches Components will be friction fitted and
sanded for precision fit. Integration is planned for February 16 –
February 22
Internal◦ Friction fitted and secured with pins/screws◦ Aluminum rod for camera rotation◦ Mounts for all payload components◦ Quick-links for parachute connections
External◦ 0.25” rail beads◦ AT-2B transmitter for tracking◦ XBee Pro 900 transmitter for data◦ Electronics arming switch
Simulations indicate that the payload will reach an altitude near the 1 mile mark at subsonic speeds
Recovery system will have a drogue and main chute and be fully recoverable and reusable◦ The dual deployment recovery system requires further
testing to guarantee proper altimeter function Full-scale construction has commenced Education outreach is ongoing
Thank you.