Airframe components
Recovery
Random Rocketry Knowledge
Staging
Rocket 'Canes People
100

Name a common body tube material that we use

Fiberglass or blue tube

100

What is black powder testing?

This is where we ground test the amount of black powder we need for our separations.

100

What do we use a key switch for on the avionics bay?

To turn on one of the altimeters.

100

What's the difference between parallel staging and series staging?

In parallel staging, the boosters are on the side. In series staging, the booster is under the sustainer.

100

What are the names of our president and vice president?

Kate and Nicole
200

Name one common nose cone shape

Ogive, parabolic, conical, ellipsoidal

200

What is the name of the smaller parachute that deploys at apogee in a dual-deploy system?

Drogue

200

How do we calculate stability?

Cg-Cp/Body tube diameter

200

Why can you reach a higher altitude with a two-stage rocket?

You have double the impulse from two motors and you are shedding mass before igniting the sustainer.

200

What is the name of our lead engineer?

Robert

300

What is a coupler?

an internal support component used to join two body tubes of a rocket

300

What is a shock cord used for?

To keep components of the rocket together after separations occur.

300

What's the name of the person responsible for overseeing the safe operation of launch vehicles during rocket launches?

Range Safety Officer(RSO)

300

What is hot staging?

When you use the ignition of the sustainer motor to push off the booster.

300

What two mentors of ours run the L1 program?

Andy and Nikita

400

What is the difference between a bulkhead and a bulkplate? (what do we commonly use each for)

Bulkhead

  • A permanent internal closure that sits fully inside a coupler or tube.

  • Usually epoxied in place (not meant to be removed).

  • Seals or separates sections; takes structural loads (pressure for sep., recovery attachments).

Bulkplate

  • A removable plate that can sit flush or slightly out of the coupler.

  • Typically screwed/bolted to threaded inserts, U-bolts, or an avionics sled.

  • Common at the ends of an avionics bay for access to electronics.

400

How do we estimate how much our rocket will horizontally drift upon descent?

Descent time multiplied by wind speed.

400

What three things things is the RRC3+ altimeter responsible for controlling in the subscale sustainer?

Drogue and main parachute main deployment and backup sustainer ignition.

400

For our subscale rocket, what staging strategy are we using(meaning what is causing our rocket to separate)?

Electronics and black powder charge

400

What is our treasurer's name?

Carter

500

What is the center of pressure on a rocket, where should it be relative to the center of gravity, and what is one main thing that affects its location in subsonic flight?

-The center of pressure in a rocket is the point where aerodynamic forces are balanced. 

-Closer to the aft end than the CG.

-mainly affected by fin geometry/placement/amount and nose cone shape/length

500

Why do we use a u-bolt instead of an eyebolt to attach the shock cord to the bulkhead?

It distributes the load over a larger area.

500

What is "dog barf" in rocketry and what is it used for?

Officially known as blown-cellulose insulation and it is a common material used in model rocketry to protect recovery systems from the heat of the rocket's ejection charge.

500

What is drag separation and what causes it to happen?

After burnout, thrust drops to zero, so the force that was holding the stages together disappears. The rocket begins to decelerate due to drag. This can overcome a friction-fit and separate the stages. 

500

What is the name of our speaker tomorrow?

Fabiana