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Last Updated on 4/28/2008

by:  ASA Webmaster

 

 

Project Data (internal)

 

News:  The Aerospace Systems Engineering team will test fire their rocket motor once again on May 18, 2008 at the BCMA airfield east of Lake Jackson.

The test will occur at 2pm.  Here is a map to the test site [Map]

 

Recent Test Firing:

On November 11, 2007 ASA test fired our 2000 lb thrust rocket motor at the BCMA airfield south of Houston.  The motor ran a full duration (20 seconds), the computer system worked well, and the test stand held the motor solidly. 

Refer to the Propulsion team website for more details.

 

This video shows the test firing from several viewpoints.

 

 

 

Rocket Motor Test – FAQ

Q:  How did the rocket motor perform?

A:  The motor produced about 1500 pounds of thrust initially, but this tapered off to around 800 pounds as the test progressed. 

Q:  What is “exploding” out of the motor?

A:  Caused by a “hard start” ignition, a pressure wave blew off our graphite nozzle.  The chunks you see flying past the camera were the outer pieces of the nozzle.

Q:  What happened to the video camera?

A:  Our nozzle-cam was intentionally placed in the line of fire downstream of the rocket motor.  Video from the camera was recorded on a VCR nearby.  Here is a unique picture of ignition looking up the rocket nozzle:

 

Q:  Does the camera still work?

A:  Yes, it still works and we’ll use it again next time.

Q:  Did the computer system work?

A:  Yes, the computer system and remote video monitoring system worked great.  Data, video, and commands were sent wirelessly to/from the test stand,

Q:  What next?

A:  Next year, we will fix the remaining issues with the rocket motor and re-test fire it.  Then, we will build a rocket body around this motor and launch it!

Q:  Could you tell me more about the program?

A:  ASE Program:  For the last year and half, high school students have worked with volunteer engineers to build a liquid-fueled rocket motor and computer control system.

      This engineering outreach program, called Aerospace Systems Engineering, is designed to teach students practical engineering and inspire them to pursue college careers in science and engineering. 

 

Here are two pictures from a recent work day

 

Student and engineer working on a rocket motor part

 

Two students working on a pressure sensor

 

You can follow the progress of each team on their blog pages:

 

·         Civil Engineering

·         Computer Engineering

·         Propulsion Engineering

 

…or read more about this event here. 

 

Lastly, you can download a brochure about the ASE program here.

 

 

 

 

This is a CAD drawing of the rocket motor the students are building

 

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The ASE program is funded through generous contributions from the public and local companies.  Please help support this endeavor!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a CAD drawing of the rocket motor on the test stand.  

 

The test stand was built in May, 2006 by the Civil Engineering Team.  The upcoming test firing will use the steel structure shown above but it will be mounted on a mobile platform.

 

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