UCIRPS Interview Technical Questions

Payload information

4.4 lbs
Intended to match the physical data collection functionality of a planetary exploration device

is a robotic arm

How does the parachute system work?

It is dual redundant where the rocket is split into sections and connected via shock cords

Why is a dual redundant parachute recovery helpful?

It allows for a controlled and stable high speed descent

What is a grain?

Grain is solid fuel loaded into a rocket motor to provide thrust. UCIRPS uses a 98mm, 7 grain KNSB motor

(KNSB is potassium nitrate and sorbitol)

7 grain means there will be 7 pieces of solid fuel in the motor

What’s the purpose of a static fire?

Provides information/data on the pressure and thrust of the motor

Tell us about the nose cone

Is a haack series, meaning it produces a minimal amount of drag for a given length and diameter

It has a pointed tip to withstand heating

Is made out of wound fiberglass instead of carbon fiber because since the GPS is in the nose cone, the signal would be blocked if carbon fiber were used instead

Tell us about the airframes

The airframes contain the components of the rocket and are made of a fiberglass composite

Had to consider strength-weight ratio, impact resistance, heat resistance, accessibility, cost, and ease of manufacturing

They are commercially bought but altered to ensure all systems within the rocket are protected

what is the motor mount?

centers the motor in the rocket and transmits the force of the motor to the body of the rocket

is constructed out of fiberglass centering rings

tell us about the fins

they’re ten layers of carbon fiber lamina since this has a high strength-weight ratio

they’re bonded directly to the motor’s inner tube and the inner surface of the body tube

what is the boattail?

The boattail is like the tailcone of the rocket. it reduces drag at the base and is made of carbon fiber

What is base drag?

Base drag is a vacuum/low pressure area at the tail end of a rocket

how fast does the rocket go?

960 ft/s

what sort of things are checked prior to launch?

you check that all members have protective equipment, that the flight computer is armed, and the motor igniters are installed and shunted (open the circuit?)

what are the benefits of using carbon fiber?

it has a high strength-weight ratio

high strength

light weight