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Aerospace Engineer
Reusable L Class Sugar Rocket Motor
As a Freshman at MIT, I was interested in designing and building a high power solid rocket engine in order to launch larger rockets. Since I only had my dorm room as a lab space, I decided to use a sugar and potassium nitrate propellant mix, which is significantly safer and cheaper than other propellants. Still, if I got caught there's a chance MIT would let me keep working just like a similar group of students at CalTech in the 30s. The engine was successfully static fired and was reusable immediately after the test.
Static Fire Video
Designing the Motor
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
The motor's dimensions were calculated using first principles equations and Burnsim, a solid rocket motor design program. I chose a BATES grain configuration that approximates a steady thrust level throughout the burn.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
I then then designed the engine to be lightweight, easy to manufacture and assembly, and reusable.
Machining Components
The nozzle was machined from 1018 steel since its melting point is below the combustion temperature of potassium nitrate and sugar. The other engine components were machined from aluminum 6061 to reduce weight.
A flood-cooled lathe would have been great!
Machining the forward closure.
Honing the motor case ID using a flex hone.
The nozzle was machined from 1018 steel since its melting point is below the combustion temperature of potassium nitrate and sugar. The other engine components were machined from aluminum 6061 to reduce weight.
A flood-cooled lathe would have been great!
Machining the forward closure.
Honing the motor case ID using a flex hone.
The nozzle was machined from 1018 steel since its melting point is below the combustion temperature of potassium nitrate and sugar. The other engine components were machined from aluminum 6061 to reduce weight.
A flood-cooled lathe would have been great!
Machining the forward closure.
Honing the motor case ID using a flex hone.
The nozzle was machined from 1018 steel since its melting point is below the combustion temperature of potassium nitrate and sugar. The other engine components were machined from aluminum 6061 to reduce weight.
A flood-cooled lathe would have been great!
Machining the forward closure.
Honing the motor case ID using a flex hone.
The nozzle was machined from 1018 steel since its melting point is below the combustion temperature of potassium nitrate and sugar. The other engine components were machined from aluminum 6061 to reduce weight.
A flood-cooled lathe would have been great!
Machining the forward closure.
Honing the motor case ID using a flex hone.
The nozzle was machined from 1018 steel since its melting point is below the combustion temperature of potassium nitrate and sugar. The other engine components were machined from aluminum 6061 to reduce weight.
A flood-cooled lathe would have been great!
Machining the forward closure.
Honing the motor case ID using a flex hone.
Mixing Rocket Propellant
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
I first finely milled the KNO3 oxidizer using a makeshift ball mill. Then I melted the sorbitol sugar in an electric skillet to coat the KNO3 particles. The temperature was monitored to prevent caramelization. The molten propellant was then cast in BATES grain molds.
Casting the propellant under pressure to prevent porosity.
Completed propellant grains!
Motor Integration
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
All the parts laid out before integration.
Fully integrated motor.
Static Fire
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The engine was sucessfully static fired at the beach on Martha's Vineyard.
"heat treated" nozzle
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
The metallic engine parts were in reusable condition after the static fire!
Teardown
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