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This occurrence is not offered in 2020
Special Topic: Rocket Systems Design and Control
The main aim of this course is to learn the processes required to design, build, launch and control a subsonic, solid fuel powered rocket. The methodologies developed will also have application to sub-orbital and orbital rockets including liquid fuel propulsion. The focus will be on thrust vectoring control (TVC) and will utilize an existing ground test platform on campus for testing the control methodologies before flight. Students will work in pairs in their fields of expertise to contribute to the main group goal of a launch ready rocket. The individual tasks assigned for each pair of students will include rocket airframe design, propulsion, actuation hardware/software, aerodynamics, launch safety protocols, sensors/instrumentation including hardware-in-the loop, telemetry, control algorithms, trajectory simulation and parachute recovery. Students will decide what areas they would like to work on, but everyone will gain a general knowledge of rocketry through the labs, tutorials, lectures and assignment.
Expectation of Students EnrolledStudents should show a basic understanding of control systems, demonstrated through ENEL321, ENME303 or an equivalent course. We would normally expect a minimum grade of B- in one of these control courses, and an average GPA of above 5 in the most recent year of study.At the end of this course, the student will:Gain an understanding of practical engineering principles applicable to many fields of engineeringLearn the basic design principles and manufacturing process of a rocket airframe and thrust vectoring actuationGain an understanding of the various sensors and instrumentation used on the rocket including accelerometers, rate gyros and GPSLearn about filtering, data logging and electronic control hardwareUnderstand the design principles of rocket engines with an emphasis on solid propulsion thrust characteristicsOperate 6DOF (6 degrees of freedom – pitch, roll, yaw, x, y, z accelerations) modeling software in Matlab for trajectory design using BlueFern wind data.Derive and simulate 2DOF trajectory and pitch angle models of single stage rockets with both thrust vectored and fin actuated control.Design gain scheduled PID controllers in the pitch axis with simulation in Matlab and implementation in the wind tunnel and in a rocket launch.Have some experience using an industry standard orbital mechanics trajectory design and optimization software tool (ASTOS). Using a predefined pitch trajectory in the first stage to orbit from ASTOS, test the impact of gain scheduled PID control design on the resulting accuracy of low earth orbital insertion. Software will be written in Matlab for the 1st stage during the atmosphere including the effect of wind disturbance and sinusoidal external inputs approximating slosh dynamics. The resulting velocity and pitch angle will be used as the initial conditions into another trajectory optimization in the 2nd and 3rd stages using the same masses and payload in ASTOS, to see if orbit is achievable.Obtain insight into the space industry in both NZ and the US with potential opportunities to work in this field after their degree.
ENEL321 or ENME303 or equivalent.
Christopher Hann
Domestic fee $975.00
International fee $5,500.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .