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Rocket Launch Friday

Hey all, we are launching rockets on Friday starting at 5pm as the sun sets at 6:15 instead of having a meeting. It will take place at the Rogers-Orton Playfield. I will take people up at 5 from Dana 51 (club room) and Victor will take people up at 5:30. Try to finish up and paint your rockets before Friday at 5pm. I’ll be in the club room from 2:30-5pm on Friday.20151007_171348

Hybrid Propulsion Timeline

As Part of this year’s rocket design effort we have a great and motivated team working to accomplish some lofty goals. Among those are Solid and Hybrid Propulsion Teams which are working on creating and testing our own propulsion system. Our current plan is to implement the solid propulsion this coming year’s competition, while the Hybrid propulsion system is to be vetted for the following year’s rocket. This team has put together this timeline for the year with plans to test early next year. Here is the Timeline: Wish us luck!

Timeline:

Sept. 27-Oct. 3:

  • Read up on Hybrid Propulsion from the past teams (3-4 Weeks)
  • Prepare and give PowerPoint presentation (Monday)
  • Look into Funding (2-3 Weeks)

Oct. 4-10

  • Read up on Hybrid Propulsion from the past teams (3-4 Weeks)
  • Fuel/Oxidizer Selection (2-3 Weeks)
  • Look into Funding (2-3 Weeks)

Oct. 11-17

  • Read up on Hybrid Propulsion from the past teams (3-4 Weeks)
  • Fuel/Oxidizer Selection (2-3 Weeks)
  • Research fuel grain casting methods (2-3 Weeks)
  • Look into Funding (2-3 Weeks)

Oct. 18-24

  • Read up on Hybrid Propulsion from the past teams (3-4 Weeks)
  • Fuel/Oxidizer Selection (2-3 Weeks)
  • Research fuel grain casting methods (2-3 Weeks)
  • System diagram (3-4 Weeks)

Oct. 19-31

  • Research fuel grain casting methods (2-3 Weeks)
  • System diagram (3-4 Weeks)
  • Assess test stand needs (1-2 Weeks)
  • Research necessary gauges for data collection (2-3 Weeks)

Nov. 1-7

  • System diagram (3-4 Weeks)
  • Assess test stand needs (1-2 Weeks)
  • Research necessary gauges for data collection (2-3 Weeks)
  • Injector selection (1-2 Weeks)

Nov. 8-14

  • System diagram (3-4 Weeks)
  • Research necessary gauges for data collection (2-3 Weeks)
  • Injector selection (1-2 Weeks)
  • Solidworks 3D image of the entire motor and injector (1-2 Weeks)

Nov. 15-21

  • Solidworks 3D image of the entire motor and injector (1-2 Weeks)
  • Injector creation “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify test stand (2-3 Weeks)
  • Efficiency calculations (1-2 Weeks)

Nov. 22-28

  • Injector creation “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify test stand (2-3 Weeks)
  • Efficiency calculations (1-2 Weeks)
  • EES Modeling of motor (1-2 Weeks)

Nov. 29-Dec. 5

  • Injector creation “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify test stand (2-3 Weeks)
  • EES Modeling of motor (1-2 Weeks)
  • Fuel Grain casting “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)

Dec. 6-12

  • Fuel Grain casting “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)
  • Get approval to test fire “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)
  • Test injector water/air “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)
  • Data collection (1-2 Weeks)

Dec. 13-19

  • Get approval to test fire “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)
  • Test injector water/air “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)
  • Modifications to prototype “scaled” (1-2 Weeks)
  • Data collection (1-2 Weeks)

Jan. 10-16

  • Get approval to test oxidizer (1-2 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data (1-2 Weeks)
  • Modify test stand for oxidizer “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Miscellaneous

Jan. 17-23

  • Get approval to test oxidizer (1-2 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data (1-2 Weeks)
  • Modify test stand for oxidizer “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Miscellaneous

Jan. 24-30

  • Modify test stand for oxidizer “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Test fuel/oxidizer “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Make full-scale injector (2-3 Weeks)
  • Make full-scale motor casing (2-3 Weeks)

Jan. 31-Feb. 6

  • Test fuel/oxidizer “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Make full-scale injector (2-3 Weeks)
  • Make full-scale motor casing (2-3 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data for fuel/oxidizer test (1-2 Weeks)

Feb. 7-13

  • Test fuel/oxidizer “scaled” (2-3 Weeks)
  • Make full-scale injector (2-3 Weeks)
  • Make full-scale motor casing (2-3 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data for fuel/oxidizer test (1-2 Weeks)

Feb. 14-20

  • Analyze Data from test (1-2 Weeks)
  • Predict expected data for full-scale test (2-3)
  • Scale up entire design (3-4 Weeks)
  • Modify EES Calculations for full-scale (2-3 Weeks)

Feb. 21-27

  • Analyze Data from test (1-2 Weeks)
  • Predict expected data for full-scale test (2-3)
  • Scale up entire design (3-4 Weeks)
  • Modify EES Calculations for full-scale (2-3 Weeks)

Feb. 28- Mar. 5

  • Predict expected data for full-scale test (2-3)
  • Scale up entire design (3-4 Weeks)
  • Modify EES Calculations for full-scale (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify Test Stand for full-scale (2-3 Weeks)

Mar. 6-12

  • Scale up entire design (3-4 Weeks)
  • Modify Test Stand for full-scale (2-3 Weeks)
  • Cast full-scale Motor (3-4 Weeks)
  • Get approval for full-scale test (2-3 Weeks)

Mar. 13-19

  • Modify Test Stand for full-scale (2-3 Weeks)
  • Cast full-scale Motor (3-4 Weeks)
  • Get approval for full-scale test (2-3 Weeks)
  • Last-minute modifications of full-scale design (2-3 Weeks)

Mar. 20-26

  • Cast full-scale Motor (3-4 Weeks)
  • Get approval for full-scale test (2-3 Weeks)
  • Last-minute modifications of full-scale design (2-3 Weeks)
  • Miscellaneous

Mar. 27- Apr. 2

  • Cast full-scale Motor (3-4 Weeks)
  • Last-minute modifications of full-scale design (2-3 Weeks)
  • Full-scale test of prototype (3-4 Weeks)
  • Solidworks version of prototype body (2-3 Weeks)

Apr. 3-9

  • Full-scale test of prototype (3-4 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data from test (2-3 Weeks)
  • Solidworks version of prototype body (2-3 Weeks)
  • Analyzing of internal piping (2-3 Weeks)

Apr. 10-16

  • Full-scale test of prototype (3-4 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data from test (2-3 Weeks)
  • Solidworks version of prototype body (2-3 Weeks)
  • Analyzing of internal piping (2-3 Weeks)

Apr. 17-23

  • Full-scale test of prototype (3-4 Weeks)
  • Analyze Data from test (2-3 Weeks)
  • Analyzing of internal piping (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify prototype for 2nd test (1-2 Weeks)

Apr. 24-30

  • 2nd Full-scale test of prototype (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify prototype for 2nd test (1-2 Weeks)
  • EES modeling of full-scale rocket (2-3 Weeks)
  • Presentation to Rocket group (2-3 Weeks)

May 1-7

  • 2nd Full-scale test of prototype (2-3 Weeks)
  • EES modeling of full-scale rocket (2-3 Weeks)
  • Presentation to Rocket group (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify full-scale rocket (1-2 Weeks)

May 8-14

  • 2nd Full-scale test of prototype (2-3 Weeks)
  • EES modeling of full-scale rocket (2-3 Weeks)
  • Presentation to Rocket group (2-3 Weeks)
  • Modify full-scale rocket (1-2 Weeks)

Designing a rocket phase 1

We are starting this year with a great turnout for the first meeting 20+ people! For those of you wanting to get involved there are a few things to know.

First of all we are going to move team communication to a teamwork chatroom called slack. I recommend getting the desktop app and mobile app.

Follow the link and create an account

https://wsuaerospace.slack.com/

We are organizing ourselves into the following subteams:

Structures

This team will include but is not limited to Fuselage, Aerodynamics, Interfaces between parts.

Electronics

All things including wires and PCB’s primarily in assistance with the recovery system. Electronics will also likely need to interface with the hybrid propulsion

Recovery

With big plans to make our own ram air parachute, there is a lot of work to do as far as sewing of our own parachute, and the control system with plans to guide it back to the launch site

Payload

The conversation has been started with Pullman high school as we look to a high school senior to design and build a payload to go up in our rocket

Hybrid Propulsion

This is a continuation of ME483 taught last semester, the hybrid team from the class will lead up a team with the club to develop a hybrid propulsion system for our rocket.

Solid Propulsion

Lastly A team is going to be assembled for creation of a custom casted solid rocket motor. Safety being the top priority for both of these teams!

As members new and old select teams keep in mind that nobody is confined to a box by selecting a team, this is just for your primary interest.

Feel Free to email me if there are any issues getting onto slack

Kevin.cavender@wsu.edu

Next up:

We are going to be putting together a house of quality for our rocket the final will be posted on the site.

Carbon Cougar Getting Ready for Maiden Voyage

For those of you not up to date, that voyage is to carry our 10+ lb payload to 10,000 ft. After many design changes the rocket is almost ready to travel to Utah with a fresh coat of paint and an eager team wanting this rocket to succeed. A lot of hard work has been put in over the last month. We were faced with the challenge of adjusting the configuration of the carbon cougar to compensate of the higher launch altitude and it being over 100 degrees outside this week – this meant an underweight rocket needed some mass! With a lack of time and resources to downgrade our engine, we are adding weight to the payload and around the engine casing. Now that 95% of the work is done, we have one final push to make it to competition.

Wish us luck!

The CARBON Cougar Launches!

Last night at precisely 4:48, 12 minutes before the end of the launch day the CARBON Cougar Flew for the first time. Earlier that day, which started at 7:30am, Katlyn Struxness, Elijah Shoemake, Kevin Cavender, Ryan Brooks, Mario Reillo, Curtis Zehnder and myself were already working hard preparing for the launch. We performed an ejection charge test that morning and then drove to the Mansfield WA launch site. There was a crowd of people there wanting to launch rockets and we had a lot to do. Mario, Curtis, Katlyn, and I worked on getting the launch rail set up while the rest of the crew prepped the rocket and worked with Ryan on the electronics set up. After hours of dodging rain storms and waiting for a window to fly, and finally getting the launch rail set up, we were almost ready to go. We had Robo (an experienced rocketeer that graciously volunteered to help launch our rocket for us) thoroughly check over all parts of the rocket- and he was detailed. We took the whole motor apart, which was assembled very well (Thanks Den), and got it checked out. Then he looked over the fins (Said they were rock solid and were definitely not going anywhere- Way to go Jon, Kesanet, and Bryan)! We checked out the electronics having all parts meticulously explained to him by Ryan (He and Jake spent over 24 hours making sure all parts were to spec and working properly-Can’t thank you enough). He inspected our recovery system and had no doubts about it (Way to go Phil, Chris, Conor). He was happy to see that Phil had put tape over the shock cord so that it wouldn’t get cut during ejection and put tape over the shock cord in spaced segments to slow the main chute deployment. Robo thought it was funny that we used a lead weight for payload, but said it too wasn’t going anywhere and would do its job (On top of it-Dallas, Russell, Malique). He had looked at the nosecone and the rest of the rocket and said that it was very well constructed and well thought out. He was more impressed when we told him that we had never launched a rocket before and that we had made almost all parts in house. (Jon, Johnny- the nosecone looked awesome!). Other experienced rocketeers were also impressed by how well thought out the rocket was and were excited to see it. Fast forward- 24 minutes till the waiver to 14,000 feet disappeared and we hauled over to the launch site with the fully assembled rocket. It was a team effort to slide it into the launch rail and get all last minute items ready to go. Katlyn and I inserted the ignitor and connected up all wires and with that we evacuated the area. The countdown began, everyone tense and excited to see all our hard work be put to the test. Dale- the launch coordinator started the countdown. The Carbon Cougar accelerated off the launch pad and soared into the sky. It was beautiful- That green flame was unmistakable. Because it went into the clouds, the other rocketeers told us to pay very close attention at 40 seconds to make sure if it did come down as a ballistic missile, that we were ready. After the 40 seconds had passed and no one had seen the rocket, everyone sat hoping that the recovery charges went off. Within 30 seconds, Dale had eyes on the rocket- Both drogue and main parachute were out!!! We tracked the rocket to the exact location with the GPS tracker and Eli had already gone out and retrieved the rocket. After a quick examination of the rocket- we were not unscathed. The CARBON COUGAR sustained bulkhead and lower fuselage damage- rendering it not flyable again- at least that same day. Nosecone, payload, electronics, motor casing, and recovery all looked good from initial inspection. After looking at the max altitude from the two stratologgers and GPS unit, we reached 10,300 feet. this was 300 feet from our mark! Absolutely incredible to get that close to the target! Getting this far with a club is remarkable. Even though the rocket has some work to get done, we have some individuals in the summer who can help us get er flight ready again. To everyone that helped make this rocket launch a success and to all of the builders and brains behind the operation, WE HAVE MADE IT TO OUR 10,000foot GOAL!!! Hats off to the WSU Aerospace Club 14′-15′. We can make it to UTAH!! Pictures to Follow

We are now NAR level 1 Certified!

This last Saturday we were able to get a member of our club NAR level 1 certified. Hopes are high that we will be able to certify two members to level 2 and fly our main rocket this weekend. The Carbon Cougar is nearly ready to fly only a few last minute adjustments in Mansfield this weekend!

Aerospace Club receives check at AUVSI spring forum

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Aerospace Club is very happy to announce that has once again supported our efforts with a sizable donation to the club during their spring forum. Several members of the club attedended the forum to receive the check, connect with industry, and participate in unmanned systems related tours. This donation will be used to provide travel opportunities for Aerospace Club members to visit leaders in the industry. Thanks again AUVSI Cascade!