Critical Design Review

Intimidator 5: 5” diameter, 10’ length, 45 lbs  Motor: Aerotech L1300R 4556 N-Sec of impulse  Predicted altitude RockSim AeroDRAG  Altitude reached can be reduced by adding weight and deploying airbrakes. With brakes deployed for entire flight ~ 3,300 ft

 Thrust to weight ratio= 6.5:1 Well above the suggested 5:1  Launch Rail: 12 ft high Exit velocity - 65 ft/s - RockSim

 Parachute sizes Drogue – 3 ft Main – 12 ft  Parachute descent rates Drogue: Must be between 50 and 100 ft/s  ft/s– RockSim  ft/s – Mathcad Main: Must be between 17 and 22 ft/s  21.1 ft/s– RockSim  ft/s– Mathcad

 Static Stability Margin: 2.88 overstable

 Vacuum chamber testing of the R-DAS system and recovery altimeter completed  Scale model launch completed  Static testing of scale model motor completed

 Remaining tests: Verify all R-DAS components in rocket (January 30) Bench Test UVA, relative humidity, and solar irradiance sensors (January 26 – 31) Verify airbrake deployment using vacuum chamber (February 24 – March 3) Vibration Test (February 28 – March 3) Static tests:  Ejection charges (February 20)  Thrust curve of Aerotech L1300R (February 20) Full scale launch (March 5, March 26)

 Results Two altimeter readings: 2556 ft and ~2700 ft Predicted altitude from RockSim: ft Predicted altitude from AeroDRAG: ft  Predictions match results within reason  Successful launch, partially successful recovery system

 Vacuum chamber used to verify deployment of drogue parachute at apogee and main parachute at predetermined height. Drop in pressure causes altimeter to detect a change in “altitude”

 Aerotech K805 G  S-load cell used  Results matched closely to expected values Maximum thrusts of 190 lbs (static test) vs 210 lbs (Aerotech)  Further calibration necessary

 Ejection charge amount determined from Modern High Power Rocketry 2 by Mark Canepa Drogue amount – 2.5 grams (redundant charge will be 3.75 grams) Main amount – 7.5 grams (redundant charge will be grams)  To verify that the charges will provide adequate force, the rocket will be fully assembled with charges  Following similar procedures to vacuum testing, the charges will be ignited to verify performance

 Payload bay acts as coupler for attaching body tubes Dimensions sized with this in mind  Materials used will ensure integrity of bay  Pressure seal will guarantee accuracy of measurements

 11 Local businesses were contacted One possible sponsor  Local middle school students will build and launch small rockets A class motors will be used Presentation on rocketry will be given  Lafayette hosts an afterschool program for underprivileged children Water bottle rockets will be launched with them