Propulsion
The Propulsion Subteam is responsible for developing our Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) motors, which involves formulating and testing new propellants, as well as manufacturing and integrating motor hardware.
The Propulsion Subteam is responsible for developing our Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) motors, which involves formulating and testing new propellants, as well as manufacturing and integrating motor hardware.
CURRENT MOTORS
CURRENT MOTORS
SA Cup
SA Cup
Charlotte is a 6" diameter, 48" long motor design and that was heavily based on Charlie. The main improvements were in machinability and propellant quality. It successfully launched North Star to win the 2024 SA Cup 30k Solid SRAD category.
Charlotte is a 6" diameter, 48" long motor design and that was heavily based on Charlie. The main improvements were in machinability and propellant quality. It successfully launched North Star to win the 2024 SA Cup 30k Solid SRAD category.
High Altitude
High Altitude
Athos and Porthos are 3" diameter, 20" long motors. They successfully propelled Fenrir to apogee and Athos was our first successful SRAD second-stage ignition.
Athos and Porthos are 3" diameter, 20" long motors. They successfully propelled Fenrir to apogee and Athos was our first successful SRAD second-stage ignition.
PAST MOTORS
PAST MOTORS
Spaceport America Cup
Spaceport America Cup
2021, 2023: Charlie
2021, 2023: Charlie
Our SA Cup motor - dubbed “Charlie” is a 6" diameter, 48" long motor designed and built entirely by students. Building on our previous propellants, our new formulation provides improved combustion efficiency and specific impulse. Charlie performed flawlessly in 2021, propelling us to an overall competition victory in addition to clinching the 30kft SRAD division. Charlie continued the legacy left behind by Sheila providing approximately 5000 N of thrust in 7 seconds.
Our SA Cup motor - dubbed “Charlie” is a 6" diameter, 48" long motor designed and built entirely by students. Building on our previous propellants, our new formulation provides improved combustion efficiency and specific impulse. Charlie performed flawlessly in 2021, propelling us to an overall competition victory in addition to clinching the 30kft SRAD division. Charlie continued the legacy left behind by Sheila providing approximately 5000 N of thrust in 7 seconds.
2022: Jenny
2022: Jenny
Jenny was an 8" diameter, 18" long fully student developed O9000 delivering 12,000 N of peak thrust. This motor was purpose built to allow our 2022 rocket to reach its full potential at the 8" form factor.
Jenny was an 8" diameter, 18" long fully student developed O9000 delivering 12,000 N of peak thrust. This motor was purpose built to allow our 2022 rocket to reach its full potential at the 8" form factor.
2020: Juliet
2020: Juliet
Juliet was a fully student developed 6" diameter, 48" long motor. This was the team's first foray into custom built motor hardware and casings. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic this motor never reached the flight line; instead, many of the learnings and knowledge gained through this project were recycled into our design for 2021.
Juliet was a fully student developed 6" diameter, 48" long motor. This was the team's first foray into custom built motor hardware and casings. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic this motor never reached the flight line; instead, many of the learnings and knowledge gained through this project were recycled into our design for 2021.
2017-2019: Sheila
2017-2019: Sheila
Sheila was a 6" diameter, 48" long motor. She performed flawlessly for 3 years straight, outputting ~1000 lbs of thrust over an 8 second burn. This motor was instrumental in clinching our victory in the 2019 SA Cup, 30kft SRAD division.
Sheila was a 6" diameter, 48" long motor. She performed flawlessly for 3 years straight, outputting ~1000 lbs of thrust over an 8 second burn. This motor was instrumental in clinching our victory in the 2019 SA Cup, 30kft SRAD division.
High Altitude
High Altitude
2023: Helena
2023: Helena
Helena was a 8" diameter, 120" long motor that contained over 240 lbs of propellant. It used Gopher 4.1.1 propellant and was an estimated R-class motor. Sadly, it experienced an overpressurization event two seconds into the burn.
Helena was a 8" diameter, 120" long motor that contained over 240 lbs of propellant. It used Gopher 4.1.1 propellant and was an estimated R-class motor. Sadly, it experienced an overpressurization event two seconds into the burn.
2021: Kevin
2021: Kevin
Kevin was a 4" diameter, 86" long motor designed and built entirely by students. This motor uses the same propellant as our SA Cup motor. Kevin performed exceptionally in a static fire test, providing nearly 3000 lbs of thrust in just under 6 seconds.
Kevin was a 4" diameter, 86" long motor designed and built entirely by students. This motor uses the same propellant as our SA Cup motor. Kevin performed exceptionally in a static fire test, providing nearly 3000 lbs of thrust in just under 6 seconds.
Propulsion Lead: Andrew Braun (braun833@umn.edu)
Propulsion Lead: Andrew Braun (braun833@umn.edu)
Would you like to attend a meeting? Check out the team calendar to find out when the next one is!
Would you like to attend a meeting? Check out the team calendar to find out when the next one is!