Project 4.3.2 Rocket Into Space

Procedure

You and your team will investigate how changes in various design characteristics of a model rocket will affect the model rocket’s flight performance. Using that information, students will design a rocket for optimum performance (height of flight). The class will first be divided into three different research areas – one assignment will be to study the effect of different fin designs, another assignment will be to study the effect of different nose cones, and the third will be to study the effect of different body designs. After individual research in each area has been completed, you will be combined into teams of three (one person from each research group) to put together a rocket which will travel the highest.

Using RocketModeler III:

The RocketModeler III program provides rocket default settings for the design characteristics and the materials used in the rocket. Switch the type of rocket from air to solid. Record the settings on line 1 of your assigned research area chart.

Use the launch procedure below to launch the rocket using the default settings. Record the maximum height the rocket attains in the appropriate column in the chart.

To Launch:

·  Click on Solid to select the type of rocket.

·  Click on Design and select Go (below the chart).

·  Click on Fuel and select Go.

·  Click on Pad and select Go.

·  Click on Launch and select Fire.

·  Watch the rocket fly!

When you fly the rocket, notice the velocity (fps) of the rocket as it ascends and as it descends. Velocity is a vector quantity. Vectors have both magnitude and direction. The sign of the number indicates the direction the rocket is traveling. A positive sign indicates the rocket is traveling upward; a negative sign indicates the rocket is traveling downward. The magnitude represents how quickly the rocket is changing position for a given unit of time.

You will simulate model rocket flight using a one stage A8-3 fuel system and the design constraints listed in the tables below. Design ten rockets, changing your assigned research area component with each successive launch. Determine which design flies the highest. Record the design characteristic data and maximum height the rocket attains in the Rocket Flight Simulation data table.

Rocket Flight Simulation Fin Chart
Design Constraints
·  Solid Rocket
·  Payload – 1/32 cardboard
·  Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard / Launch Settings
·  Fuel – A8-3
·  Pad – no wind – Earth avg. day, shoot straight up – weathercock off
Launch / Design Characteristics / Flight Data
Number of Fins / Shape of Fins / Location from End of Rocket / Length / Width / Leading Edge Angle / Trailing Edge Angle / Maximum Height Obtained
Default
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rocket Flight Simulation Body Chart
Design Constraints
·  Solid Rocket
·  Payload – 1/32 cardboard
·  Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard / Launch Settings
·  Fuel – A8-3
·  Pad – no wind – Earth avg. day, shoot straight up – weathercock off
Launch / Design Characteristics / Flight Data
Body Material / Length of Body / Diameter of Body / Fairing Material / Length of Fairing / Diameter of Fairing / Body Drag Coefficient / Maximum Height Obtained
Default
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Rocket Flight Simulation Nose Cone Chart
Design Constraints
·  Solid Rocket
·  Payload – 1/32 cardboard
·  Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard / Launch Settings
·  Fuel – A8-3
·  Pad – no wind – Earth avg. day, shoot straight up – weathercock off
Launch / Design Characteristics / Flight Data
Material / Shape / Length / Diameter / Drag Coefficient / Recovery System / Maximum Height Obtained
Default
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Part 2 – Final Rocket Design

Working with your team of engineers, each of which has specialized in a particular area of rocket design, you must now attempt to design the rocket that will fly the highest. Fill in the table below with information on your first choice for rocket design. Test your design and record maximum height obtained.

As with any engineering project, you will probably need to “tweak” or adjust your design. You will have a second and third attempt to obtain maximum results before submitting your final design to your Instructor for evaluation. In the conclusion questions, be sure to record what adjustments you made, and most importantly, why you made them.

Rocket Flight Simulation Summary Chart
Design Constraints
·  Solid Rocket
·  Payload – 1/32 cardboard
·  Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard / Launch Settings
·  Fuel – A8-3
·  Pad – no wind – Earth avg. day, shoot straight up – weathercock off
Design Characteristics / Test Flights / Final Design
1st / 2nd / 3rd
Fin / Number of Fins
Shape of Fins
Location from End of Rocket
Length
Width
Leading Edge Angle
Trailing Edge Angle
Body / Body Material
Length of Body
Diameter of Body
Fairing Material
Length of Fairing
Diameter of Fairing
Body Drag Coefficient
Nose Cone / Material
Shape
Length
Diameter
Drag Coefficient
Recovery System
Maximum Test Height Obtained
Length (Time) of Flight
Maximum Speed Obtained during Flight

Conclusion

.

1.  What tweaks did you make after the first launch, and why?

2.  What tweaks did you make after the second launch, and why?

3.  Why was the maximum velocity significant? Hint: Think of Newton’s second law.

4.  Why was the time of flight significant?

5.  What must a rocket overcome in order to reach orbit?

6.  What is the force created by a rocket called?

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2011

GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 1