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The Structures subteam is responsible for designing and manufacturing the airframes used in the Spaceport America Cup competition and High Altitude Projects
The Structures subteam is responsible for designing and manufacturing the airframes used in the Spaceport America Cup competition and High Altitude Projects
Our Tubes
Our Tubes
The main airframe of the rocket consists of student-built composite tubes. We use our own equipment to do wet layups over aluminum mandrels. Depending on the application, we typically choose between carbon fiber for its high strength, or glass fibers for when RF transparency is necessary.
The main airframe of the rocket consists of student-built composite tubes. We use our own equipment to do wet layups over aluminum mandrels. Depending on the application, we typically choose between carbon fiber for its high strength, or glass fibers for when RF transparency is necessary.
In previous years, we developed a method to increase the range of fiber orientations in our composite layers, thereby optimizing our tubes for the expected loads during flight.
In previous years, we developed a method to increase the range of fiber orientations in our composite layers, thereby optimizing our tubes for the expected loads during flight.
Structures also produces tubes for the Alka project team when that competition was being held prior to the COVID 19 Pandemic. For more information on this, take a look at our Alka page under our Archive
Airframe Design Strategy
Airframe Design Strategy
In past years, our rocket airframe has been made of 2 continuous body tubes, a nose cone and an aluminum fin can. For the 2022 SAC rocket, we switched to a modular design. In effect, these were 3-4ft sections that can be swapped out as desired. Radax aluminum couplers joined modules together.
In past years, our rocket airframe has been made of 2 continuous body tubes, a nose cone and an aluminum fin can. For the 2022 SAC rocket, we switched to a modular design. In effect, these were 3-4ft sections that can be swapped out as desired. Radax aluminum couplers joined modules together.
For the 2023 and 2024 competition rockets we switched back to 2 continuous body tubes. Since we don't reuse these rockets for competition, we found this was a more efficient method in terms of labor and airframe weight. For 2024, we further optimized the body tube weight by reorganizing internal components, shortening the rocket, and removing body tube layers.
For the 2023 and 2024 competition rockets we switched back to 2 continuous body tubes. Since we don't reuse these rockets for competition, we found this was a more efficient method in terms of labor and airframe weight. For 2024, we further optimized the body tube weight by reorganizing internal components, shortening the rocket, and removing body tube layers.
Pictured above is the 2023-2024 SAC competition rocket before painting
Fin Design & Construction
Fin Design & Construction
Fincans
Fincans
The team designed a fincan with aluminum binder pieces and aluminum bronze fins for the 2023 high altitude project.
Carbon Fiber Fins
Carbon Fiber Fins
For the 2024 SAC competition, we had a fully composite 4 fin design with 3 layers of carbon fiber tip-to-tips for increased strength.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
The structures team are the experts in composites manufacturing on the team. Pictured is using the student machine shop's water jet to cut our carbon fiber fins out
Structures Lead: Ian Cowell (cowel038@umn.edu)
Structures Lead: Ian Cowell (cowel038@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!
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