Purdue Space Program
Overview:
The Purdue Space Program contains a number of sub-teams. The group I am a part of, liquids, designs and launches liquid fuel rockets. The rocket pictured (left) is the current project being undertaken by liquids. This rocket is targetting an altitude of 35000 feet using a liquid oxygen and methane engine.
Where I’ve Contributed
Lower Airframe:
As the RE for lower airframe, I am responsible for the completed design and manufacturing of the rocket’s structure below the fuel storage cylinders. In the left image is a view of the cad of the lower airframe struts in relation to the testing stand ring and measurement device. In the right image, you can see the struts after being CNC machined out of billet aluminum.
Force Measurement System (FMS):
My first project as a member of PSP was the design of a mechanism for measuring the thrust of the rocket to ensure its working order before launch. The center of the design is an industrial load cell that would supply the data required for the test. In the right image, you can see the FEA analysis that I conducted to ensure the mechanism would withstand the full force of the rocket engine.
Electronics Flight Enclosure:
As manufacturing nears completion, I had the opportunity to assist the avionics team in designing and fabricating an enclosure for the flight avionics system. In the picture, you can see the open enclosure housing the custom PCBs needed for launch and telemetry. The challenge was to create an enclosure that was both incredibly lightweight and strong, while also capable of maintaining pressurization to 1 atmosphere even when subjected to near vacuum conditions. This safety requirement arises from the proximity of the electronics to the pressurized rocket fuel, which could potentially be ignited by the smallest stray spark. To meet these specifications, we constructed the case using carbon fiber, and it features a rubber gasket to effectively seal the two halves.