High Powered Rocket
A concept render of Artemis I
Project Summary
As part of the Tufts SEDS Rocketry Project Team, I designed and built my own high powered model rocket, with the intention to become NAR L1 Certified. Named “Artemis I”, my rocket was designed in Solidworks with the goals of having low drag airfoiled fins, a sturdy motor and fin assembly, and a well calculated center of mass located far above the center of pressure.
These goals were achieved by taking advantage of additive manufacturing, specifically FDM 3D printing. The fins and nose cone were designed to be 3d printed, and then bolted or friction fit onto the conventionally-built rocket parts. For the nose cone, the exact mass of the cone was set as a function of the infill percentage of the cone when printed. This allowed for the precise positioning of the center of mass of the rocket. Sturdy, ¼” laser-cut wood was used for the centering rings, and lighter ⅛” laser-cut MDF was used for the supporting beams.
The rocket was assembled and painted at the Tufts Nolop makerspace, and test-flown the following day using a medium-powered rocket motor. It flew beautifully, ascending straight off the launch rod, before successfully deploying its parachute and landing softly on the ground. It will launch with a high-powered rocket motor for the first time in February 2020.
A concept render of the Artemis I fin assembly
Artemis I’s fin assembly shown installed inside the body tube, with added motor retainer
An assembly animation of the fin assembly
Artemis I ready for launch mounted on the launch rod
The flight proven Artemis I fin assembly
A photo of me just after the safe landing of Artemis I