UCI Rocket Project subteam updates for Oct 25 – Nov 1
Progress towards the spring quarter launch is going as planned as the full team met this week to review current sub-team progress. This meeting also gave the opportunity to take full team pictures which can be found in the updated team page: here
Even though it’s midterm season, the subteams are still working hard! Read more about what they’ve been up to!
Avionics Subteam
Update By: Brennden LaGreek
The Avionics team has continued to make great progress on their different projects. The groundstation is well underway, with only a few more changes to get it fully operational. New modifications to the ECU (engine control unit) are being put in place as well, ensuring safer and more efficient collection of data. Additionally, new documentation is being created, making it easier for future members of avionics to jump straight into work!
Launch Vehicles Subteam
Update By: Michael Ross
Despite being in the thick of midterm season, the Launch Vehicles team continues to progress during the journey to launch. After further review of the VTF Mount, the purchase orders were submitted and assembly draws nearer. The team also finalized the engine mount design and ran simulations to ensure it met the necessary requirements. While some of Launch Vehicles worked on this, the skins members worked on creating various prototypes to use for future testing as the team looks to acquire data on the new skin. Also working on a prototype for testing, Launch Vehicle lead Alek Parolari-Grosgurin worked with other team members on a fin layup to prepare a fiberglass fin for testing. See below for pictures from the process, along with a sneak-peek at our Preliminary Test Rocket (PTR)!
Propulsion Subteam
Update By: Thomas Westenhofer
The propulsions team has been continuing their progress on assembling the rocket plumbing system. Important orders for fittings have been placed and a workshop was held to teach everyone different aspects of assembly including taping fittings and swaging tubes (A process where a tube is cut to create a custom length section of tubing). A water flow test of the injector was done to check for any leaks. Progress will only get faster in the weeks to come!
Solids Subteam
Update By: Ryan Chu & Kenny Tsing
This week, the Solids team had a brief lesson on avionics prepared by Parker Lupercio, the Avionics Lead of the Liquids team. They learned the two fundamental purposes of avionics: Data Collection, and Communication. This will be important as the team continues their individual rocket design. For Level 1 certification, an altimeter is required to record the altitude reached by the rocket; however it can also be used, along with an accelerator, to deploy secondary parachutes (that is if one decides to have more than one). The team has also begun smaller team meetings as a way to share their design processes and to receive feedback from the leads.
