Sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the upper atmospheric regions and for space research. They also serve as easily affordable platforms to test or prove prototypes of new components or subsystems intended for use in launch vehicles and satellites. The weight of the payload in these rockets ranges from about 2 to 100 kg. The ReSOLV-I rocket is a step towards providing a platform for carrying out innovative research & experiments for up to 4 kg of payload capacity.
HISTORY
The launch of the first sounding rocket from Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 21 November 1963, marked the beginning of the Indian Space Programme. Sounding rockets made it possible to probe the atmosphere in situ using rocket-borne instrumentation, and the rest is history.
Spaceport America Cup
ReSOLV-I is the first rocket that will be manufactured in-house by a team of 100+ members. We aim to make our presence felt and leave a mark on the world at the Spaceport America Cup 2022, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.
SPECIFICATIONS
Rocket
ReSOLV-I
Mission Type
Experimental Sounding Rocket
Organization
RV College of Engineering
Payload capacity
4kg
Dry Mass
24kg
Altitude
10,000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level)
Expected launch date
June, 2022
MISSION
ReSOLV-I will be carrying a payload of 4kg in mass, which will constitute of an electro-mechanical experiment. This experiment will pave way for various new and innovative methods for industrial testing of High Power Batteries, being used for spacecraft applications. The payload is the most essential part of our rocket, both for the Spaceport America Cup, as well as for further R&D. The results obtained from these experiments and the research carried out to accomplish this feat serves as the knowledge base for further upcoming student rocket teams and RV College of Engineering provides a great platform to explore and learn such a crucial part of space technology.
Yes, IT IS ROCKET SCIENCE!
Subsystems
In order to ensure the competition readiness and standards, ReSOLV-I is being developed under 6 well-functioning subsystems
Aerodynamics
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Aerodynamics
About
Aerodynamics is one of the most important aspects of a Rocket. It is concerned with the flow of air over a rocket's outer surface and how the drag and stability of the rocket is affected.
The subsystem works on designing the outer structure of the rocket in order to minimize any drag and to keep it pointed in the right direction.
Airframe
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Airframe
About
Airframe is the main structure which takes care of the structural integrity of the rocket. The airframe must be durable and should be able to withstand various direct as well as indirect forces when the rocket is in flight.
The Airframe subsystem follows a workflow consisting of extensive simulation, design optimization and manufacturing techniques in order to ensure that the rocket satisfies all the aforementioned constraints.
Avionics
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Avionics
About
Avionics subsystem is the brain of the rocket that integrates various sensors, collects onboard data such as the rocket's health parameters, sensor data, ground station communication and processes them, causing major events like apogee detection, parachute ejection and tracking the trajectory of the rocket among others.
The subsystem comprises of experts working on microcontrollers, microprocessors, Kalman filters and simulating complex circuits to enable sensor fusion and ensure proper in-flight stability and maneuvering capability of the rocket.
Propulsion
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Propulsion
About
The propulsion subsystem provides the driving force to a rocket. The subsystem deals with the design of the Rocket Engine (consisting of tanks, pumps, propellants and power head) and the Rocket Nozzle. It also takes care of areas such as the synthesis and procurement of fuel used for the rocket and the system selection and sizing.
The Propulsion subsystem is a highly multidisciplinary subsystem which requires knowledge of various domains right from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Chemical synthesis of rocket fuels to high level research in rocket engine technology.
Recovery
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Recovery
About
When the rocket reaches apogee, the most challenging part of the mission is the recovery of the rocket and safe extraction of experimental data from the payload. The scope of recovery in rockets ranges from something very simple like Parachute recovery mechanism, to complex mechanisms like Vertical Self-landing Technology. The most commonly used method for recovery in sounding rockets is the parachute recovery system.
The Recovery subsystem designs and implements various techniques to design a reliable recovery mechanism for the rocket.
Payload
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Payload
About
Payload - Rocket subsystem focuses on
conducting innovative R&D based experiments which serve as the main
purpose of the launch vehicle. Generally, payloads can range from simple
electronics circuits, satellites, sensors, cameras, scientific instruments
and many more. The ReSOLV-I rocket aims at having a battery payload which is
still under rigorous research.
The Payload - Rocket subsystem works on the integration of the payload with
other parts of the rocket. It involves the design and analysis of various
parameters to be tested during the experiment and also the type of the payload.