UCI Rocket Project subteam updates for Oct 11 – Oct 18
Read more about what Rocket Project has been doing this week!
Avionics Subteam
Update By: Brennden LaGreek
Avionics has continued making great progress on their projects. Most notably, getting their GPS to work accurately and efficiently. Thanks to their work on this system, launched rockets will now be much easier to track. Additionally, more progress has been made on the GUI for Avionics ground station, on track to be finished before launch date. In other exciting news, several Avionics members came out to help with water flow testing, working with the propulsion team to prepare for data acquisition during the test.
Launch Vehicles Subteam
Update By: Michael Ross
Launch Vehicles are working on finalizing their design for the Vertical Test Fire Mount (VTFM) and are moving forward with the final piece of the puzzle—the hoisting mechanism. With the purchase orders to be sent this week, manufacturing of the VTFM will soon be underway. The team is also making progress on the recovery systems, further improving folding of the drogue parachute and looking into the use of a CO2 ejection system. As they wait to hear back about testing carbon fiber skin in the lab, Launch Vehicles are working on a new testing method for fiberglass fin layups, with prototypes of various fin mounting ideas in the works.
Propulsion Subteam
Update By: Thomas Westenhofer
Propulsions has been making further progress on the MVAS (Main Valve Actuator System) and the plumbing for the engine. Two important purchase orders, one for aluminum MVAS components to replace the current 3D printed parts, and one for fittings for the engine plumbing, will be sent out soon. These parts are crucial for the engine and will be a big step for the production of the final engine once they are received.
Solids Subteam
Update By: Ryan Chu & Kenny Tsing
To be able to reuse a rocket body, one first needs to successfully recover the body intact. This week the Solids team learned about the recovery systems of a rocket. The parachute, along with the shock cord are critical components for the descent phase of the rocket. Like with any parachute, they help to reduce the descent velocity. This reduced velocity is vital to prevent breaking fins, avionics, or any other more fragile components. The team is starting to consider their specialized needs for their rockets and is looking into pre-made parts. Other hand-crafted parts are also being considered from parachutes to fins to Pringles can body tubes. In the picture below, the orange shock cord keeps the body and the nose cone together for when the parachute (red bundle) deploys.
