Problem Statement
Design, build, test, and launch a reusable vehicle capable of successfully and safely completing the mission's objectives while delivering the vehicle to a height of 4,100 ft.
Early Design
Using OpenRocket, the team designed and simulated the construction for both the fullscale and subscale launch vehicles to meet mission objectives.
CAD Prototyping
Using SolidWorks, I iteratively modeled through avionics bay designs, interfacing design requirements from the recovery, payload, and vehicle teams.
Simulation
Using Abaqus and Simulink, simulations were performed on critical areas of the flight vehicle in order to ensure mission success.
Subscale Launch
The subscale launch vehicle enabled us to collect data early on in the design process. This allowed us to flush out design choices that did not work and improve the design for the fullscale vehicle.
Data Collection and Simulation Verification
Through the subscale launch, we were able to collect data from the avionics systems on board and compare them to the results we simulated before the flight. This gave the team confidence that our simulations were reliable and accurate.
Iterative CAD Design
From the lessons learned on the subscale launch, the avionics bay design was improved upon. This new design features a "switch-band" style construction, making it easier to manufacture, assemble, test, and reuse.
Final Design
Starting with an idea and ending with a final product, I got valuable hands-on experience going through the entire engineering design process cycle.
Failure Analysis
Although the full-scale launch was not successful, I gained valuable experience conducting a failure analysis. Identifying critical errors with limited data proved challenging, but it was an important and worthwhile lesson.