P18102: RIT Launch Initiative Hybrid Rocket

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Project Summary	Project Information
Project Overview: Our team is developing a propulsion system to deliver a 10 lb payload to 30,000 feet We decided on a chemical hybrid rocket engine rather than a purely solid or liquid rocket engine Our engine will interface with a rocket body developed by RIT Launch Initiative rocketry club The assembled rocket will compete in the 3rd Annual Spaceport America Cup in June 2019 There are many benefits to hybrid-propellant rocket Greater altitude accuracy compared to a solid engine due to throttleability Safer to handle propellants compared to a solid engine because the oxidizer and fuel can be stored separately Less mechanical complexity than a liquid rocket engine Major Project Goals Completed design and build of a custom hybrid rocket engine Successful engine test fire(s) by the end of April 2018 Completion of detailed technical report documenting engine design Engine Subsystems Propulsion Thermal Analysis Structures Power Controller Feed System Test Stand Example Hybrid Rocket Engine Diagram System Architecture: Our Engine's System Architecture Schematic Design Specifications: Assumed total vehicle weight for design: 140 lb Vehicle Max Diameter: 7.5 in Design thrust: 1300 lb Max total impulse: 9,209 lb-sec For more detailed background information, see the Project Readiness Package.	Project Name Hybrid Rocket Engine Project Number P18102 Project Family Aerospace Start Term Fall 2017 End Term Spring 2018 Faculty Guide Martin Pepe, mjpastro@gmail.com Primary Customer RIT Launch Initiative, launchinitiative@rit.edu Sponsors (financial support) RIT Senior Design, Quartus Engineering Inc., MWI, Inc., Continuing to search for further sponsors

Team Members

From Left to Right: Matt Sisson, Tim Frey, Trevor Mothersell, Zack Rizzolo, Ryan Chojnacki, Martin Pepe (Team Guide), Ozzy Castillo, Amy Guthrie, Dylan Bruening, Doug Moyer

Member	Major	Project Role	Contact
Trevor Mothersell	Industrial Engineering	Project Manager	tlm5882@rit.edu
Zack Rizzolo	Mechanical Engineering	Lead Engineer	zdr9076@rit.edu
Ozzy Castillo	Mechanical Engineering	Propulsion Engineer	oc6410@rit.edu
Tim Frey	Mechanical Engineering	Systems Engineer	tef4539@rit.edu
Matthew Sisson	Mechanical Engineering	Test Engineer	mps3458@rit.edu
Doug Moyer	Mechanical Engineering/Computer Science	Senior Programmer	ddm9373@rit.edu
Dylan Bruening	Mechanical Engineering	Design Engineer	deb1159@rit.edu
Ryan Chojnacki	Electrical Engineering	Controls Engineer	rcc7409@rit.edu
Amy Guthrie	Electrical Engineering	Controls Engineer	akg9614@rit.edu

Design Reviews	Engine	Testing	Project Management
Problem Definition System Design Review Preliminary Design Review Critical Design Review Design Freeze Design Review	Engine Overview Propulsion Feed System Control System Power Distribution Structures Thermal	Testing Overview Safety Test Stand Test Procedures Subsystem Tests Test Computer Test Sensors	Project Management Project Budget

Latest Project Updates

RIT ARM Student Design Contest Video

On April 26, 2018, the team presented a two minute project summary video developed for the 2018 RIT ARM Student Design Contest. The video can be seen here.

4/22/18 Full Scale Hot Fire

The team completed the full scale hot fire of the finalized engine on 4/22/18. Though it was not entirely a success due to an overpressurization event, there were many takeaways and learnings that will help lead to future success on the next iteration of this engine. Photos from the day of the full scale test can be seen below.

4/22/18 Full Scale Test Fire Engine Plume

Test Stand Set-Up Without Engine

Test Stand Set-Up With Engine

Test Bunker and Tanks

For more project updates see our updates page

Additionally, our YouTube channel containing all testing videos can be found here

Additional Customer Information

RIT Launch Initiative Website: http://launch.rit.edu/

RIT's Launch Initiative Club successfully launched their Lazarus 1 rocket on October 1st this year as a test flight and to demonstrate technology that can be used in the making of this MSD team's hybrid rocket engine. (Photos below courtesy of RIT Launch Initiative.)