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The Special Projects Subteam is responsible for research and development projects that span across multiple parts of the team. This includes designing, constructing, and flying test rockets for various parts of the IREC and High Altitude projects.
The Special Projects Subteam is responsible for research and development projects that span across multiple parts of the team. This includes designing, constructing, and flying test rockets for various parts of the IREC and High Altitude projects.
Current Projects
Current Projects
David & Booster
David & Booster
Expanding the team's high performance two-stage knowledge is David & Booster, a 54mm to 38mm test rocket meant to push the limits of our Tripoli Minnesota 20,000 ft vertical waiver! In its largest configuration, David can hit over Mach 2 and 18,000 ft!
Expanding the team's high performance two-stage knowledge is David & Booster, a 54mm to 38mm test rocket meant to push the limits of our Tripoli Minnesota 20,000 ft vertical waiver! In its largest configuration, David can hit over Mach 2 and 18,000 ft!
Lighting the sustainer motor can be a challenge for a two-stage, because conventional ignitors struggle to stay at the top of the motor during the inital boost. As a result, the team designed, built, and successfully static fired a "Head-End Ignition" (HEI) system that should significantly help David's ignition!
Lighting the sustainer motor can be a challenge for a two-stage, because conventional ignitors struggle to stay at the top of the motor during the inital boost. As a result, the team designed, built, and successfully static fired a "Head-End Ignition" (HEI) system that should significantly help David's ignition!
Past Projects
Past Projects
Dave & Booster (2024/2025)
Dave & Booster (2024/2025)
After the success of Project DNL, the team sought to build a higher performance two-stage rocket, with the goal of testing stage separation at supersonic speeds! As a result, Dave & Booster was created!
After the success of Project DNL, the team sought to build a higher performance two-stage rocket, with the goal of testing stage separation at supersonic speeds! As a result, Dave & Booster was created!
In January 2025, Dave & Booster flew successfully as a boosted dart (ie: no motor in the upper stage) to over 7000 ft, breaking Special Projects's test flight altitude record! It was also the smallest diameter rocket ever flown by the team (38mm)!
In January 2025, Dave & Booster flew successfully as a boosted dart (ie: no motor in the upper stage) to over 7000 ft, breaking Special Projects's test flight altitude record! It was also the smallest diameter rocket ever flown by the team (38mm)!
The subteam is now focused on revamping the upper stage (Dave) to be able to fit a motor for a real two-stage flight (see "David & Booster" under "Current Projects" if interested!)
The subteam is now focused on revamping the upper stage (Dave) to be able to fit a motor for a real two-stage flight (see "David & Booster" under "Current Projects" if interested!)
Project DNL (2023/2024)
Project DNL (2023/2024)
Project DNL was the team’s first 2-stage rocket, and it served to test stage coupling/separation and in-flight motor ignition in preparation for the 2024 High Altitude rocket!
Project DNL was the team’s first 2-stage rocket, and it served to test stage coupling/separation and in-flight motor ignition in preparation for the 2024 High Altitude rocket!
One of the primary challenges with a 2-stage rocket is ensuring that the stages remain rigidly connected during the initial boost but separates successfully before the second motor ignites. For this purpose, the team designed, machined, and tested an “Anti-Boattail Coupler” (ABC) mechanism that held the booster and sustainer stages together using only gravity and the motor’s thrust, ensuring smooth separation after burnout. This coupler proved successful on all three test flights, leading to its use on the 2024 High Altitude Rocket!
One of the primary challenges with a 2-stage rocket is ensuring that the stages remain rigidly connected during the initial boost but separates successfully before the second motor ignites. For this purpose, the team designed, machined, and tested an “Anti-Boattail Coupler” (ABC) mechanism that held the booster and sustainer stages together using only gravity and the motor’s thrust, ensuring smooth separation after burnout. This coupler proved successful on all three test flights, leading to its use on the 2024 High Altitude Rocket!
Pitot Tube (2022-Present)
Pitot Tube (2022-Present)
Special Projects Lead: Drew Miler (miler016@umn.edu)
Special Projects Lead: Drew Miler (miler016@umn.edu)
Would you like to attend a meeting? Special Projects's meetings this semester are weekly on Monday's from 7-8 pm in Akerman 319!
Would you like to attend a meeting? Special Projects's meetings this semester are weekly on Monday's from 7-8 pm in Akerman 319!
Check out the team calendar and team slack to find out when the next one is!
Check out the team calendar and team slack to find out when the next one is!
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