diyaerospace
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- Sep 21, 2021
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Hello,
This thread will detailed my teams efforts in the 2024 TARC competition.
Rocket
This design was focused on making a rocket that is easy and convenient to operate at a launch site. (no screws or small parts) To get this done we use 3d printed threads to connect the AV bay and egg holder to the transition section of the rocket. The transition section itself has an adjustable mass component that is used to adjust the mass of the rocket depending on launch site conditions.
Some of the more important elements of the design include keeping the stability margin low (1.4) to reduce weathercocking and effects of wind, trying to reduce as much drag as possible to reduce the effects of uncontrollable variables like temperature and pressure, and using motors with less than 1 percent of standard deviation on total impulse to keep flights consistant.
Flight Testing
Our team has so far launched twice on E30-T motors. The purpose of these first flights is to use motors I already have to get rough Cd estimate which can be used to be more confident in purchasing motors to achieve altitude goals. Note, simulations are just being used to get a rough idea of rocket performance. To get more precise altitude control we plan to create a mass vs altitude plot based on flight testing.
The flights themselves were okay. Simulations predicted 600 ft but actual altitude achieved was 485 feet on the first flight. Flight two was borderline unstable. After talking with some people on the rocketry discord it seems this was due to a fly away rail guide hitting the rocket's fin and sending it off course. The rocket was still recovered without any damage. The FARG's were a mistake as they somewhat invalidated the altitude data collected.
At this point we are considering the F42T rocket motor. We will also be replacing the FARG's with rail buttons which create a negligible amount of drag.
I am excited for this year's competition!
Walter
This thread will detailed my teams efforts in the 2024 TARC competition.
Rocket
This design was focused on making a rocket that is easy and convenient to operate at a launch site. (no screws or small parts) To get this done we use 3d printed threads to connect the AV bay and egg holder to the transition section of the rocket. The transition section itself has an adjustable mass component that is used to adjust the mass of the rocket depending on launch site conditions.
Some of the more important elements of the design include keeping the stability margin low (1.4) to reduce weathercocking and effects of wind, trying to reduce as much drag as possible to reduce the effects of uncontrollable variables like temperature and pressure, and using motors with less than 1 percent of standard deviation on total impulse to keep flights consistant.
Flight Testing
Our team has so far launched twice on E30-T motors. The purpose of these first flights is to use motors I already have to get rough Cd estimate which can be used to be more confident in purchasing motors to achieve altitude goals. Note, simulations are just being used to get a rough idea of rocket performance. To get more precise altitude control we plan to create a mass vs altitude plot based on flight testing.
The flights themselves were okay. Simulations predicted 600 ft but actual altitude achieved was 485 feet on the first flight. Flight two was borderline unstable. After talking with some people on the rocketry discord it seems this was due to a fly away rail guide hitting the rocket's fin and sending it off course. The rocket was still recovered without any damage. The FARG's were a mistake as they somewhat invalidated the altitude data collected.
At this point we are considering the F42T rocket motor. We will also be replacing the FARG's with rail buttons which create a negligible amount of drag.
I am excited for this year's competition!
Walter
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