DESIGN BRIEF:

Designing a Model Rocket

Introduction
You have recently been hired by a new engineering firm called YORKTOWN AEROSPACE, INC. Your employer has tasked you with designing a prototype rocket that will fly high into the atmosphere. Do your best; your company is competing with other companies for the rights to a very lucrative defense contract!

Challenge
Using the Rocket Modeler program, design a model rocket that will fly higher than the rockets designed by other competing firms (your classmates.)

Equipment / Materials Needed

1. AutoCAD 2007 Software and/or Autodesk Inventor 11 Software

2. Internet Access

3. Various materials found around your home (foamboard, posterboard, glue, etc.)

Procedure

I. Click on the following links and watch the instructional videos in order to learn how to use the Rocket Modeler program and experiment with different designs.

1. Introduction to Rocket Modeler II, 2. Screen Layout, 3. Design Variables, & 4. Launch

II. Visit the following website and design your rocket (according to the Design Criteria listed below) using the Rocket Modeler program:

http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/rktsim.html

You MUST use the following design parameters:

A. You must use a nose cone of either conical, spherical, elliptic, or parabolic shape. The minimum width shall be a diameter of 3/4."

B. You must use a body tube that is cylindrical in shape. The length must be at least 4 inches long and the width at least 3/4" diameter. Click here to find the drag coefficient you must use on your body design.

C. You must use at least 3 fins of either trapezoidal or elliptical shape. The minimum size should be practical.

D. You must design a rocket that uses one solid model rocket engine of size A8-3. In other words, it has to be a single stage rocket using a solid rocket engine for fuel.

E. You must select "Earth - Average Day" and "Weathercocking On" for Pad conditions.

F. That's it....the rest is up to you!!

III. Technical Drawing Students Only - Make five thumbnail sketches, one full or half size sketch, and a multiview drawing using AutoCAD 2007 software, of your rocket design. You must include at least three views and dimensions of your rocket in the multiview drawing.

IV. Engineering Drawing Students Only - Make a full-scale set of working drawings and a 3D model of your design using Autodesk Inventor 11 software. You must include satisfactory dimensions, on your multiview drawings, in order to efficiently communicate your design.

V. Submit your sketches, drawings, and a snapshot (picture) of the Rocket Modeler website displaying your design parameters and testing results to your instructor for grading by the due date.

VI. Make a working model of your rocket design....IT MUST BE BUILT FROM SCRATCH....NO KITS!! It should be built sturdy enough so that we can physically launch it during class time. Your teacher will provide enough materials needed to build and launch the model rocket (engines, igniters, launch pad, etc.) However, you are also welcome to scrounge, beg, find, borrow, and/or buy any "above and beyond" materials needed to build your model rocket. Follow this link to research how to build a model rocket from scratch:

Build a Model Rocket From Scratch!

Click here to view Estes Decals!

Click here to view Centuri Decals!

More rocket decals and plans at Jimz Rocket Archive!

Evaluation

Success will be measured by the following criteria: