2012 Student Rocket Program

Request for Payload Proposals

2012 Student Rocket Program

Request for Payload ProposalsPhoto by Ray LaPanse

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Intern_RocketLaunch.shtml

Student Rocket Program Summary United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Ball Aerospace have created a unique educational program whereby they sponsor an annual launch event for large high power sport rockets. The rockets will launch in July 2012 near Pueblo, CO and will fly to between 4000 and 10,000 feet above the ground. The rockets will carry payloads designed and built by high school student teams. Payloads are objects, simple or complex, that are carried by the rockets high into the sky, and then deployed (usually) from the rocket. A payload can be almost anything a team can dream up. There is no cost to the students/schools to fly payloads on the rockets.

Program involves interns at ULA & Ball, and high school students from Colorado or other states- ULA interns will build the rockets- Ball interns will build four large payloads- 16 high school teams will have an opportunity to provide payloads- All participants are encouraged to attend and participate in the launch

Program objectives are to:- Give students design, analysis, test, and hands-on fabrication experience- Allow students to be directly involved in launching the largest rocket in the state of Colorado- Provide a fun and enriching experience that motivates students to pursue a technical career

Wanted: High schools interested in forming a team to build a payload- Team should be led by a teacher or mentor associated with the school- Team will be supported by ULA or Ball engineers/mentors as required- Schedule:

- Interested teams should notify ULA of your intent to participate by Dec 1, 2011- Team leaders need to submit a simple payload proposal to ULA by Jan 25, 2012 - 16 Winning Payload Teams will be notified by Feb 1, 2012- Launch is tentatively planned for July 28, 2012

- See proposal form at the end of this presentation for detailed instructions

Rocket & Payload LineupThese rockets are planned to be launched in 2012

Payload compartments are shown in yellowPayload Class indicated in blue font next to payload compartment

Future Rocket300” tall

(3) N Class Engines8500 feet altitude

Stars “N” Stripes Rocket200” tall

N Class Engine4500 feet altitude

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 3

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 4

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 1

Payload Provider: Ball Intern Team 2

Pay

load

1

6’-3” Tim Tebow (shown for scale reference)

Payload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBD Payload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBDPayload Provider: High School TBD

Pay

loa

d 2

ICARUSRocket

L Class Engine4000 feet altitude

Reliant RobinRocket

M Class Engine10,000 feet altitude

PL

19

PL

17

Pa

ylo

ad 4

14

15

13

16

10

11

9

12

6

7

5

8

Pa

ylo

ad 3

20

CosmosRocket

I Class EngineNo Payload

4000 ft altitudeMX-774Rocket

I Class EngineNo Payload

4000 ft altitude18

Payload Provider: High School TBD

Pay

loa

d 3

Payload Provider: High School TBD

Payload Provider: High School TBD

Payload Provider: High School TBD

A

C

B

C

D

E

F

F

GGGGGGGGGGGG

1. Payloads can be electrically and functionally active or passive.

2. No explosives or live animals (except insects) permitted. Small pyrotechnics for device actuation is permissible.

3. Class A, B, C, D, and E Class payloads will be deployed/jettisoned from rocket. Class F and G payloads can be deployed or remain in rocket (payload choice). If Class F or G payloads are not deployed their length can increase by 3” over the length specified.

4. Estimated flight max acceleration = 10 g’s, Jettison max acceleration = 100 g’s. In Other Words: make your payload sturdy.

5. Each payload team will be provided a Fit Check Tube. If your payload fits in the fit check tube, it will fit in its rocket payload compartment.

6. Each payload team will be provided a Payload Tube. A Payload Tube is the largest possible tube that will fit inside the Fit Check Tube. The payload tube can be used in several ways: 1) It can be used as the outer structure of the payload, i.e. items can be installed inside or attached to the inside of the Payload Tube, 2) the Payload Tube can be split into two 180 degree half shells that surround your payload and protect it during jettison, then fall away from your payload after jettison, 3) or you don’t need to use the Payload Tube.

7. Payloads must be installed in rocket with no further access at least 60 minutes prior to launch

Class B Payload (Stars “N” Stripes Rocket)Dimensions: 24” Long x 11.4” DiaMass Limit: 20 lbs max# Available: 1 (For Ball Aerospace Interns)

Payload Classes

Class A Payload (Future Rocket)Dimensions: 34” Long x 11.4” DiaMass Limit: 25 lbs max# Available: 1 (For Ball Aerospace Interns)

Class C Payload (Future or Stars N Stripes)Dimensions: 15” Long x 7.5” DiaMass Limit: 10 lbs max# Available: 2 (For Ball Aerospace Interns)

Class D Payload (Icarus Rocket)Dimensions: 24” Long x 7.5” DiaMass Limit: 12 lbs max# Available: 1 (For High School Teams)

Class E Payload (Reliant Robin Rocket)Dimensions: 15” Long x 6” DiaMass Limit: 10 lbs max# Available: 1 (For High School Teams)

Class F Payload (Icarus or Reliant Robin)Dimensions: 9” Long x 3.9” DiaMass Limit: 5 lbs max# Available: 2 (For High School Teams)

Class G Payload (Future Rocket)Dimensions: 6” Long x 3.9” DiaMass Limit: 3 lbs max# Available: 12 (For High School Teams)

A

B

C

E

F

G

D

Payload Requirements

ROCKET &PARACHUTE

100 ALIENPARATROOPERS

SMOKEGRENADE

MULTIPLESENSORS

HUMANSPACEFLIGHTEXPERIMENT

CAMERA

TRACKINGBEACON

BALLFLAG

2009 Payload Deployment Photo

Payload Ideas

A payload can be almost anything you can dream up, from something very simple, to something very complex. See table at right to get an idea of what payloads have been attempted in the past. You can re-attempt any of the previous concepts, or come up with something totally new!

Predicted Flight Profile – Future Rocket

LiftoffT

+0 sec

Altitude =

0 feet AG

LA

ltitude = 5400 feet M

SL

Velocity =

0+ m

ph

1st S

tage Engine B

urnoutT

+7 sec

Altitude =

1900 feet AG

LV

elocity = 270 m

ph

1st S

tage JettisonT

+8 sec

Altitude =

2300 feet AG

LV

elocity = 240 m

ph

2nd Stage E

ngine IgnitionT

+9 sec

Altitude =

2600 feet AG

LV

elocity = 210 m

ph

2nd Stage E

ngine Burnout

T+

16 secA

ltitude = 5700 feet A

GL

Velocity =

310 mph

Apogee – D

rogue Chute D

eployment

T+

30 to T+

37 secA

ltitude = 8400 feet A

GL

Vertical V

elocity = 0 m

ph

Fast F

all Under D

rogueS

mall P

ayloads Deploy

T+

40 sec to T+

55 secV

elocity = 45 m

ph

Nose C

one, Large Payload, and

Main P

arachute Deploym

entT

+60 sec

Velocity =

45 mph

Altitude =

6500 feet AG

L

Nose C

one Payload &

Parachute D

eployment

T+

65 secV

elocity = 80 m

phA

ltitude = 6000 feet A

GL

Touchdow

n of Modules

T+

250-500 secV

elocity = 10-20 m

phA

ltitude = 0 feet A

GL

1st S

tageC

hute Deploym

entT

+15 sec

T+

40T+

43T+

46T+

49T+

52T+

55

T+

40

T+

43

T+

46

T+

49

T+

52

T+

55

Photos by R

ay LaPanse

1

Section View A-AHigh School Payload

Installed in Rocket

Class G Payload3.90” dia x 6” long (max)

Piston

Dynawind Cylinder(3.90” inner diameter)

0.66 Gram Black Powder

Explosive ChargeRocket Airframe

Cover Plate

Parachute

A A

2

3

4

Ejection Sequence1. At specified time in flight, small explosive charge fires2. Pressure from charge pushes against piston & payload3. Cover plate breaks free of rocket4. Payload flies free of rocket5. Parachute deploys

5

Class G Payload AccommodationsAnd Ejection Sequence

Vendors that sell parts that could be used to build rocket or payloads. You are not limited to these sources, but they are a good place to start.

Misc rocketry components: http://www.giantleaprocketry.com/hpdefault.aspMisc rocketry components: https://blastzone.com/pml/Misc rocketry components: https://blastzone.com/performancehobbies/store.asp?groupid=21402114310527Misc parts, fasteners, materials: http://www.mcmaster.com/#Airborne Cameras: http://www.boostervision.com/boostervision/default.aspTimers and Altimeters: http://www.perfectflite.com/Parachutes: http://topflightrecoveryllc.homestead.com/National Assn of Rocketry Website: http://www.nar.org/Misc Electronics: http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jspMisc Electronics: www.sparkfun.com

2009 Launch Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWAeLX7sevI2010 Launch Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snhPbXGTWag2011 Launch Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eawfOv-xApE

Short videos from previous ULA/Ball rocket launch events.

Additional Information

Send questions, comments, or proposal forms to:Greg ArendUnited Launch Alliancegreg.j.arend@ulalaunch.com

Stars “N” Stripes rocket fires retro rockets on its fin tips to limit its altitude

Photo by Ray LaPanse

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Intern_RocketLaunch.shtmlULA Intern Rocket Program Home Page:

2012 Payload Proposal FormTitle/Name of your Payload Concept: Type your Payload Name here

Team Leader Name and Contact Info: Name / School / Phone / E-mail address / Paper mail address

Payload Concept Description: Describe what your payload will be, how it will work, and what it will be made of. Provide as much info as you know. It is OK to add sketches, photos, etc. if you have them.

Team Description: Describe who will work on the project with the team leader (i.e. 12 th grade Physics class, 10th grade shop class, etc.). Describe resources available to the team (i.e. work facility, tools, payload materials)

Is one or more members of your team planning to attend the launch in person?: Yes, No, or Undecided

Which class of payload are you requesting?: D, E, F, or G. There are one D, one E, two F, and twelve G Class payload spots available for high schools. If D, E, or F class is required for your payload concept, tell us why. If you ask for D, E, or F class and do not get it, can you make your concept work in a G Class spot?

Sell Your Project/Team Here: Tell us why you want to do this. Convince us that you can achieve your objectives. Tell us you will be dedicated to deliver a product that has a reasonable chance of working. Are there any unique discriminators that set your team apart.

If your payload is Not selected for a firm launch slot, will you build a payload for a standby slot : Yes or No (We plan to launch 16 payloads built by high school teams. It is possible that one or more of these payloads may not be ready for launch by launch day. Therefore, in addition to awarding 16 firm launch slots, we may award 2 additional standby launch slots that may fly in 2012 if any of the firm payloads fail to show up ready for launch. If the standby payloads are built but do not get to fly in 2012, they will be awarded a firm launch spot on the 2013 rocket.)

Instructions: 1. Complete the information requested above in the space provided (red text). 2. If you think your school wants to participate in the summer 2012 launch event, please notify ULA (reference contact info below) of your intent to participate by Dec 1, 2011, so that

we may understand the extent of high school interest and send out more, or stop sending, requests for proposals to additional high schools as appropriate.3. Submit this proposal form to ULA by Jan 25, 2012. 4. Proposal team leaders will be notified by Feb 1, 2012 if their payload has been selected to fly on the ULA rocket. 5. Chances of being awarded a payload spot on the rocket depend on the number of proposals submitted. Proposals will be judged based on creativity, credibility, and completeness. 6. There is no cost to the school to fly on the rocket. 7. A team may submit more than one proposal, but no team will be awarded more than one payload spot on the rocket unless there are more spots available than proposals received. 8. This form may be expanded to multiple pages if required. 9. ULA and Ball engineers can be available to consult with the high school payload teams as required during the development of the payloads.10. Contact Info: Submit questions, Notification of Your Intent to Participate, and Proposals via e-mail to Greg Arend at greg.j.arend@ulalaunch.com