First high-powered rocket build and launch by a Paraguayan Jr Tripoli member 

Project Summary

This project is a high-power rocket, designed to achieve L1 certification (the first level of certification required to fly high-power rockets). This rocket flew with an Aerotech H135 engine (average thrust of 135 newtons), reached a height of 700 m, and Mach 0.5.

The goal of this project is to push myself as far as possible. It consists of a submin rocket (the motor itself is the airframe). Due to the high speeds the rocket reaches, this project is mostly made of high-performance materials such as carbon fiber and fiberglass. It uses a K2300 motor (2300 newtons of average thrust), will fly approximately 4 km (due to the FAA waiver in the Spaceport Rocketry Association), at Mach 2.7, and with around 130g's of acceleration.

Why did you do this project?

I did this project because I wanted to inspire new generations to get into the world of amateur/high-power rocketry, and show that anything is possible with enough motivation

How did you make your project or solve this problem?

First, I designed all the aerodynamics and supersonic stability in Openrocket and RASAero. Then, in CAD (Fusion 360), I designed all the mechanical components starting with a LOKI 54/2800 case. The fin is 3K carbon fiber, custom-made with Soller composites 3K carbon fiber. Next, I used fiberglass sleeves to fabricate the nose cone, where the recovery system and electronics are housed (Elvin beacon, a featherweight for tracking, Easy Mini as a development computer, and a Runcam Split 4 for photography). The fins are machined from 3mm carbon fiber, and then their trailing and leading edges are chamfered. I painted everything and prepared the recovery system, which consists of a main parachute and a drogue (Single Development Dual Deployment). The main parachute is closed for most of the fall, and then in the last 200m of the fall, the main parachute opens with a chute release (Jolly Logic device).

What did you find out?

Thanks to this project, I discovered a lot of high-performance techniques such as bonding, assembly, recovery, and painting. I also learned the legal process for L1 certification (in my case, M1, which would be L1 Jr.), and everything it entails.

This project hasnt been finished, yet. But from what Ive done (carbon fiber tube and nc structure), I learned a lot about composites and off-the-shelf electronics for rockets, as well as a lot about designs with these mechanical requirements and functionality.

Why do your results matter?

My results matter because, thanks to the success of this "mission," I will be able to use it as a basis for future projects, and move from theory to a real and functional design.

What could you do next?

My plan for the future, is to go bigger and higher, with more sophisticated and advanced rockets, based on what I learned from this experience/rocket.

Next time, I'd make the tip much shorter, since that prevents too much electronics from fitting inside. I'd sand my parts with a lathe instead of by hand, as it took too long. I'd also use heat shrink tubing on my next tubes, since the finish was... bad, and it required many epoxy flood coats and sanding to make it look nice.

References

R/rocketry, Youtube, Apeogee components tutorials, all the guys at ACEMA, and TRIPOLI rocketry ascociation