Overview
This page will outline all flight vehicles I have worked on. While most of my work has been in propulsion development, I was able to learn a lot about overall rocket design and manufacturing from the projects described below.
Copperhead
Video shot and edited by Nate Kuczun
Copperhead was my first intro to actually implementing propulsion technology on a vehicle. Throughout the project, I learned about the differences between flight hardware and test hardware, how the shape and dimensions of a rocket affect its aerodynamic performance, requirements for rocket stability, and composites manufacturing.
Obsidian
Currently being manufactured as of February 2, 2021, this minimum diameter vehicle is predicted to reach an altitude of around 40,000 ft on a custom O-motor integrated into the body of the rocket. This will be the next vehicle launched by CU SRL. Predicted to reach a maximum velocity of around Mach 2, this vehicle will simulate the forces on and performance of many of the aerodynamic structures and necessary avionics and recovery systems critical to proving that we surpassed the Karman Line on our future Spaceshot vehicle. The construction of this vehicle will happen in conjunction with the preparation for the static fire of the composite O-motor discussed in more detail on my Composite Motor Development page.
Spaceshot
Reaching the Karman Line with an entirely student built rocket has been the mission of CU Sounding Rocket Laboratory (SRL) for almost two years now. Despite facing opposition from CU administration, available work space, funding issues, and many, many engineering challenges, CU SRL has made impressive progress towards this goal. Since I joined the organization in Fall 2018, we have gone from static firing 38mm motors to attempting the static fire of the largest student designed and built rocket motor ever. The amount of work myself and others have put in towards this goal is enormous, and though we haven't made it to space yet, the lessons learned along the way will not only get us to the Karman line, but to nearly double it if our current simulations are indicative of the real thing. Spaceshot is an 8" ID vehicle made with a carbon fiber body-motor design, custom TPS, inconel nose cone tip, and Garolite (phenolic) fins. Once COVID-19 allows us back to work, we will be back full force to perfect motor development, continue Spaceshot nosecone and fin TPS development, finish avionics manufacturing and testing, and eventually blow past the Karman line to ~180-190 km.
Spaceshot next to Copperhead next to Jeff, a 6 ft tall robot.
The Spice Shuttle
Currently in development. More info to come once manufacturing begins.
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