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Aerospace Rocket Building Competition
I participated in an aerospace rocket-building competition, collaborating with a partner to build and launch a functional rocket.
Industry
Industry
Aerospace
Aerospace
Hours
Hours
8
8
Skills
Skills
Aerospace Structural Design
Aerospace Structural Design
Aerospace Structural Design
Challenge
This project required us to build a functional rocket capable of achieving a stable and precise flight path, all while meeting competition standards for height and accuracy. Starting with simple materials for the structure—such as a cylindrical cardboard body and foam fins—we faced challenges in ensuring durability while keeping the rocket lightweight. My team had to carefully design and attach fins to maintain stability during launch, which involved calculating the center of pressure and center of gravity for balanced flight.
We also needed to account for the high forces of thrust and potential air resistance, reinforcing the nose cone to withstand these conditions while ensuring aerodynamic efficiency. Building the rocket with accessible materials pushed us to optimize each component through iterative testing and adjustments, such as refining the fin shape for better stabilization and using strong adhesives to prevent structural failure mid-flight.
Results
Our rocket launched successfully, reaching the target altitude with a smooth, controlled ascent. The design, particularly the fin placement and weight distribution, performed exceptionally well, exceeding initial expectations for stability and precision. Seeing the rocket maintain a steady trajectory and withstand launch forces was a rewarding outcome of our careful planning and testing.
This competition allowed me to gain hands-on experience with aerospace principles like balance, thrust management, and aerodynamics. Working with a team, I developed practical skills in problem-solving and iterative design, showcasing how engineering principles can be applied even with limited materials to achieve a successful aerospace launch.
Challenge
This project required us to build a functional rocket capable of achieving a stable and precise flight path, all while meeting competition standards for height and accuracy. Starting with simple materials for the structure—such as a cylindrical cardboard body and foam fins—we faced challenges in ensuring durability while keeping the rocket lightweight. My team had to carefully design and attach fins to maintain stability during launch, which involved calculating the center of pressure and center of gravity for balanced flight.
We also needed to account for the high forces of thrust and potential air resistance, reinforcing the nose cone to withstand these conditions while ensuring aerodynamic efficiency. Building the rocket with accessible materials pushed us to optimize each component through iterative testing and adjustments, such as refining the fin shape for better stabilization and using strong adhesives to prevent structural failure mid-flight.
Results
Our rocket launched successfully, reaching the target altitude with a smooth, controlled ascent. The design, particularly the fin placement and weight distribution, performed exceptionally well, exceeding initial expectations for stability and precision. Seeing the rocket maintain a steady trajectory and withstand launch forces was a rewarding outcome of our careful planning and testing.
This competition allowed me to gain hands-on experience with aerospace principles like balance, thrust management, and aerodynamics. Working with a team, I developed practical skills in problem-solving and iterative design, showcasing how engineering principles can be applied even with limited materials to achieve a successful aerospace launch.
