The different parameters in the launch of a model rocket shall be verified using a motor test stand, rocket flight simulation and test launches with sensors on board. The results shall be presented during the 2024 DLA Launch Day.
Project goals
- Develop and build a rocket motor test stand
- Verify the thrust curves of standard 18 mm motors
- Build and simulate a 35 mm model rocket to verify flight curves
- Use altimeter to verify simulation data in real flights
Ideally a team of 3 students shall work on this project.
Background
Model Rocket
A standard 35 mm model rocket shall be used in test flights and simulation: List of available rockets
Flight phases
Model rocket flights can be divided into different flight states [1]:
- Launch
- Powered Flight
- Coasting
- Recovery
Rocket Motors
Model rockets are propelled by rocket motors. The achievable flight altitude strongly depends on the thrust characteristics of the rocket motor.
The rocket motors that are commercially available are standardized and have predefined thrust characteristics over time.
Motor Test Stand
In order to verify the motor characteristics and choose the correct motors for a project, a motor test stand shall be designed to measure these characteristics and other data associated with a model rocket motor. The test stand shall be able to test standard size motors (18 mm diameter) but also larger motors in the future. It shall be able to measure thrust and ejection forces over time. The motor shall be electrically started and the data shall be recorded with an adequate measurement rate.
Simulation
The simulation of the rocket flight shall be done with OpenRocket:
Altimeter
The sensor platform that was developed in previous projects shall be used for in-flight data recording. It shall be modified if necessary (hardware and software).
