Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Background and Context:
Student Rocket Design Competition
“Rocky Mountain Miners”
Brian Mortensen, Jon Neujahr, Ryan May
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI
The rocket was designed for the 2009 Wisconsin Space Grand Consortium collegiate
rocket competition. The objective of the competition is to construct a boosted dart rocket and
attain the highest altitude. The boosted dart rocket consists of two parts. The first part is the
booster, which is powered by an I-435 motor. Secondly, the dart is carried by the booster until
the thrust from the motor ends. At this point, the dart flies as a projectile until apogee is
achieved. There was no experience from any of the members of the team in rocketry.
Procedure and Methods:
The dart had three clipped delta
fiberglass fins evenly spaced around the
bottom of the dart’s airframe. The
specific shape of the fins provide a
reduction of any unnecessary drag on
the dart while maintaining a stable flight
with the CP lower than the CG.
Recovery system of the dart
A parachute with a diameter of 18 inches,
0.5 inch wide climbing webbing, and a
flame retardant cloth were used for the
recovery of the dart. The flame retardant
cloth served as a firewall. After apogee is
achieved, the altimeter signals an explosive
charge to separate the dart, and the
parachute is deployed from the rocket.
The dart is separated right above the
electronics storage bay as shown in Figure
2. One end of the webbing was attached to
the top of the electronics bay; the other end
was attached to the bottom of the nose
cone.
Figure 1: Dimensions of the Dart Fins
Figure 2: Recovery for the Dart
Funding for competition provided by: Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium
33
Sweep = 3.5 in
T.C = 2.5 in
Span = 3.25 in