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Propulsion

Introduction

The purpose of this project is to ensure that new and returning members research various parts of a rocket propulsion system from both theoretical and practical engineering points of view.

Your project should be completed with your intro project group.

Returning Members

All returning members are expected to act as mentors for Fall 2023.

Contact

If you have any questions about any part of the question at any time, do not hesitate to reach out to the propulsion lead (Eduardo) or the propulsion deputy (Brian). Discord is preferred, but if you are having difficulty getting started with Discord, email is fine.

  • Eduardo

    • Discord: eduardawg

    • email: eduardogodinez@berkeley.edu

  • Brian

    • Discord: slavgeeko776

    • email: brian_mechgeeko@berkeley.edu

  • For access to the STAR general discord, please message us!

    • If you have access, find us in the #propulsion #alula channels!

This project is intended to challenge you a little bit! You are not expected to know everything you need for this project going in, and it will almost certainly be necessary for you to ask questions and interact with the team lead, propulsion members, and of course your mentor. This is by design, and is intended to get you familiar with our workflow and asking for help when needed. If you feel intimidated by the intro project, please please please reach out to others! Everybody wants you to succeed!

Week 1: Introduction to Propulsion

Our first meeting with be at the STAR general meeting on Thursday, where we will give new members a run down of what you can expect with prop as well as a run-through of our current projects! Recruits can also come to our propulsion meetings on Monday night.

If you are not able to make it in person, please feel free to reach out to us so we can answer any question you may have, as well as set you up with an educational group mentor!

The way the propulsion intro project will be broken down is listed below:

  1. Week 1: Propulsion Intro (9/11 - 9/15)

    1. Spark Session 1 - Intro to propulsion, solids vs liquids, feed systems

    2. Assigned intro mentor

  2. Week 2: Propulsion System Components + Prop System Overview (9/18 - 9/22)

    1. Spark Session 2 - Propulsion system components (valves, injectors, cooling methods, etc.)

    2. More in depth readings for each component

    3. Spark Session 3 - Overview of our propulsion system

    4. Select technical project by the end of Thursday meeting

    5. Sunday trip to the Richmond Field Station (RFS)

  3. Week 3: Technical Projects Begin (9/25 - 9/29)

    1. Focus on work for intro project, meeting with technical mentor for support

    2. Additional spark sessions based on your interest/feedback.

    3. Attend propulsion meeting and RFS workday. *Mandatory at least one RFS trip in w2-w5*

  4. Week 4: Technical Projects + Hotfire (10/2 - 10/6)

    1. Work with mentor and team to finish intro project (Most mentors will be extra busy working towards hotfire but will still attempt to hold meetings)

    2. Attend propulsion meeting and RFS trip

    3. Come to propulsion spark sessions as well as other specialty workshops

  5. Intro Project Presentations: End of Week 5

    1. Deliverables Listed in Intro Project

    2. Hotfire review

    3. Write some slides to present final product or design for CDR style meeting

You can view our week 1 slides here. This week will focus on establishing a point of contact between you and your group, as well as establishing a meeting time. You are welcome to get started on the readings for week 2 and 3.

Initial Readings:

Week 2: Propulsion System Components

Now that you have met the team and been assigned a mentor, it's time to get learning! You will be expected to go through the assigned material(below) on your own time throughout the course of this week. If you have any questions, please feel free to attend Office Hours with returning members, or to reach out on discord.

There will be an in person workshop on the ALULA feed system during Prop Meeting on Thursday, Sept 21st! We encourage you to attend, but if that is not possible, it will be recorded.

Educational Material:

Week 2: Propulsion System Components

The information covered in this week's material is a very general overview on some advanced topics in propulsion. If you don't understand something or want to learn more, our main resources folder is located here in Propulsion(feel free to add resources you find online!)

Workshops:

  • ALULA Feed Systems Workshop

Educational Material

Instrumentation and Control, Technical Project

Education:

  • Instrumentation:

    • Pressure Transducers

    • Force Detectors

    • Temperature Detectors

    • Level Sensors

  • Control:

    • Basics of State Machines and Procedural Flow

Workshops:

  • Rocket Propulsion Analysis (RPA) Setup and Basic Execution

  • LE2 Control System: Procedural Flow, State Machine

  • Systems Workshop

Presentation end of week 4 / beginning of week 5

PROPULSION TECHNICAL INTRO PROJECT

You will select / be assigned a technical mentor(but can attend anyone's OH for help). Depending on what you would like to learn, you can choose who to work with, or jump across people's Office Hours to find the knowledge you might need to complete specific aspects of your project.

Weekly office hours and meetings will be provided by your new mentor!. Also, never be afraid to reach out for help - ask anyone you feel comfortable with. It is better to ask for clarification on something that might seem obvious than to spend hours confused.

After week 4, new members will host a design review for their education and technical project and then move forward integrated ALULA/LE3 member work.

We will also be hosting several workshops during weeks 3-5! To complete your intro project and develop knowledge in propulsion specialties, please attend at least one workshop(really as many as you can) over these weeks.

Technical Project Options / Further Research Launching Points:

New members will completely own a small project on Propulsion, working to integrate your research/design/testing into the full-scale ALULA and LE3/Flight propulsion projects.

(referenced are specific technical mentors that will provide direct project guidance)

We will cover each project idea in detail after the second week of introductory material.

Don't feel overwhelmed - You'll learn how to break down your goal into small, manageable portions that will integrate smoothly into a full project.

INTRO PROJECTS (More details coming soon!)

  • Modular Test Stand for Feed System - Sophya

    • Goal: Design and construct new test stand for feed system testing

  • Cryogenic Insulation - Ricardo, Eduardo

    • Goal: Improve current method for insulating flight components exposed to cryogenic environments. Gain familiarity with extreme-condition mechanical systems.

  • Ball Valve - Rotary Actuator Coupling Assembly - Andrew

    • Goal: Design system which effectively connects and constrains our main lox valve and actuator. Should allow easy access to surrounding fittings while minimizing weight

  • LOX and Ethanol Fill and Vent valve key - Andrew

    • Goal: Design and machine a slotted tool/key that couples the manual valve shaft and can effectively actuates manual valves through airframe utility ports. Should minimize port size required and easy to use.

  • Pyro Valve Simulation - Sara

    • Goal: Create simulation for fluid flow through ethanol main valve as well as perform FEA for pyro valve under pressure

  • Feed System Tank Mounting - Brian, Austin

    • Goal: Improve system for mounting tanks onto feed system stand. Ideally easy to disassemble for prop system movement between flight and ground system while remaining sturdy.

  • Ablative Thermal Conductivity Approximation - Eduardo, Liam

    • Goal: Approximate a thermal conductivity for our ablative sleeve based on data from hotfire on October 7th. Will be used to improve simulations

  • Needle Valve Calibration - Liam

    • Goal: Calibrate needle valve for eventual integration with motor. Work towards flow control.

Additional Links:

Valves

Tanks

QDs (Quick Disconnects)

Ignition

Sims

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