Development and Construction of Experimental Sounding Rocket

Authors: Kiren Caldwell, Cameron Brand, Benjamin Kirschmeier, Ryan Mossbarger Supervisor: Dr. Murray Snyder

Research Question: Can we develop and build a sounding rocket capable of delivering a 10 lb payload to 10,000 ft that is recoverable and reusable for additional experimentation? Motivation for the Research: Many experimental systems, such as atmospheric analysis and microgravity research, can be tested on board a high power rocket capable of traveling to an altitude of nearly two miles. Most amateur rockets that fly to such heights are not capable of also carrying a 10 lb payload; this opens up many possibilities as to what can be carried inside the rocket. Research Method/Approach: We have developed a 5 in aluminum rocket, approximately 72 in long powered by a solid propellant motor with a total impulse of 3115 N-s. Based off of simulations this rocket should reach the 10,000 ft altitude while carrying a payload of 10 lbs. Altimeters onboard will detect the apogee of the rocket to deploy a drogue shoot and also deploy a main parachute at a specified height to ensure that the rocket is reusable. A GPS unit onboard will send back the coordinates of the rocket to make the rocket fully recoverable. In order to make sure the rocket does not tilt over and fly off in a horizontal direction, an inertial measurement unit onboard will detect the orientation of the rocket and will separate the rocket if it ever pitches over. Research Results: The rocket was modified after a launch with a smaller motor to hold more shock chord, increasing the length of the rocket. Due to the increase in length and imperfections in the nosecone from the previous launch, the rocket only made it to 9,181 ft when launched with the full-size motor. The altimeters did correctly detect apogee, separating the rocket to slow down its decent speed. At 1,100 ft the main parachute was deployed by the small ejection charges the altimeter detonated. The rocket safely landed a mile away from the launch site and because of the GPS onboard it was recoverable. Research Conclusion: A high-powered rocket has been developed capable of carrying a 10 lb payload to 10,000 ft. The rocket was fully recoverable and will be used again for further research. Proposed research experiments include an active guidance system and a low altitude reconnaissance drone to perform ground observation. It is expected that this aluminum rocket will be able to serve as a research bed for high speed, low altitude experimentation for the next couple years.