Rocketry · 2021–2024
Rocket recovery systems
Recovery hardware and testing for student-built rockets at UCLA.
Problem
In the Dollar-per-Foot Challenge, for teams to be awarded, the rocket must return on its main parachute sustaining only minor damage. Given the student liquid rockets we built reached apogees above 22k feet, proper drogue and main deployment was critical.
Design & Fabrication
As recovery lead, I led a team responsible for the design, manufacturing, integration, and testing of the recovery system. The system incorporated recovery avionics, a CO2-based ejection system, and the parachute layout.
For preliminary testing, we conducted static separation tests; however, my second year I pioneered the construction of a solid-motor test rocket dedicated to dynamic structural and electronics validation. This test vehicle allowed for both my team and other component teams to evaluate the effectiveness of our designs under realistic launch conditions before using them on the club’s flight vehicle.
Impact
Through iterative design, manufacturing, and testing, the team achieved the club’s first sequence of 4 successful recoveries. The success of the test rocket the first year led to it becoming a club practice in the following years.
Tools/Methods
CAD, 3D printing, CO2 ejection, parachute deployment, structural/avionics testing