Panther Rocket Lab - Experimental Motor
Phantom 10K
Project Summary
2" experimental solid rocket motor effort to achieve 10,000 ft, achieving 10,228 ft on the flight; the highest altitude that the club has ever achieved, the University's first experimental (homemade) motor build, and the first homemade motor flight.
Mission
Design, static fire, and fly a full homemade experimental solid rocket motor able to reach 10,000 ft, setting the precedent for club-designed and built motors.
Requirements
- > Motor: 2" experimental solid, club-designed and manufactured
- > Target apogee: 10,000 ft
- > Multiple static fire tests prior to flight, for motor characterization
- > Custom-manufactured graphite nozzles, carbon fiber motor cases, phenolic liners, and nose cone tips
Results
Verified PerformanceFlight Performance
Reached 10,228 ft (3,117.6m) apogee, traveling at Mach 0.9, with a 4.0 second boost phase and 155.9 seconds total flight time.
Club & School Milestones
The highest altitude that the club has ever achieved, the club's first experimental (homemade) solid motor, and their first homemade motor flight.
Lessons Learned
"Static Fire 1's failure was key in shaping the design of Static Fire 2 which ultimately succeeded in flight; the retaining ring and backside burn issues were indeed diagnosable problems, not end points. The necessity of multiple static fires prior to flight attempt in a scratch design was evident."