Projets:Perso:2013:AlphaRocket

This project is meant to show how a worlwide community of contributors can contribute to build locally open source space hardware stuff.

It is based on the Opennautics Alpha Rocket.

Discussion of the project is mainly handled on the Opennautics forums.

Steps to follow

1. Purchase Arduino (the Uno is probably fine) and perhaps needed attachments (stepper motor driver?) - Done

2. Purchase appropriate valve (Swagelok?). I am thinking ball valve with some type of electric actuator. I do not know if we should purchase the valve and actuator as a kit from Swagelok, or can we just purchase the valve and then purchase a small stepper motor which is common at hobby shops (the kind that are in repraps).

3. Purchase igniter (Spark Gap Igniter?) - Done

4. Write sketch to control valve and igniter

5. Set up the rest of the plumping and see what tanks we have access to.

6. Create an injector plate to fit.

7. Determine what fuel to use for test. HTPB seems to be more efficient, but HDPE might be easier to obtain.

8. Determine pre/post combustion chamber insulation. Most probably some type of phenolic resin.

9. Turn nozzle from graphite based on chamber dimensions

10. Assembly and test

Testing checklist

This is the list of what we expect to measure out of our first motor tests:

1. Thrust over time

2. Temperature of combustion

3. Temperature of injector plate surface