Project Genesis: Ragnarök

Team:

• Ian Timberlake
• Brian Fix
• Tom Shultz
• Meng Lo
• Megan Owen

Altitude: 13,000 +

Motors: AT I350, AT I600, KBA I370, KBA I310

Project Goal:

1. Research, design, and build a high-power rocket that is aerodynamically efficient.
2. Research, design, and build a high-power rocket with the optimal structural integrity vs. weight efficiency.
3. Presenting our findings in an educational manner in front of an engineering audience and on public display at Iowa State functions.
4. To launch the rocket at various class events and club events for demonstrational purpose as well as data capturing when possible.

Project Genesis is a team collaboration to explore the possibilities in advanced rocketry performance. Following the set objectives, our rocket Ragnarök, was destined to demonstrate the capabilities of a highly optimized design.

Aerodynamic research such as dynamic stability of a rocket, multiple forms of drag and Cd analysis, allowed us to begin narrowing down the design concept of Ragnarök to a rocket with great aerodynamic properties. The design is constantly being optimized as there is no finite high performing rocket. Post research work consists of aerodynamic/wind tunnel testing of different rocket shapes and components will be analyzed.

The design of Ragnarök will also be centered around its structural integrity vs. weight efficiency. Utilizing the strength of the composites will help minimize amount of materials necessary for construction.

Following the completion of the design, construction of Ragnarök will begin. Due to the carefully planned design, the process of construction will be highly detailed and intensely scrutinized by our team members to achieve best results.

Taking what we learned and applying it is important but it’s even more important to take what we discovered and sharing the learned information to a group of interested engineers and/or enthusiasts. The reason for explaining and demonstrating the research and design of Ragnarök is to spread our findings to an audience that could potentially expand on what our team learned.

Project Note: Our independent research project team from Iowa State University will be shooting for the "I" altitude record. It is not one of our primary goals but it's something we noticed we could potentially break once more testing was done.