ROCKET PAYLOAD LANDER
September 2020 - May 2021
The payload was created for the 2020 - 2021 NASA Student Launch competition, to be entered by Northwestern University Space Technology and Rocketry Society (NUSTARS). Sub-teams working on this competition included Payload Mechanical, Payload Electrical/Software, and Launch Vehicle.
DESIGN
SKILLS
Fabrication
mill, band saw, drill press, hole tapping, sheet metal, 3D printing
CAD
Siemens NX, 3D models, 2D drawings, assemblies, tolerances
Testing
Black powder ejection tests, test launches
System Integration
Mechanical design with software, electronics, and launch vehicle
Mechanical Design
Ideation, research, prototyping
Leadership
Team meetings, task delegation, report writing, critical presentations
MY ROLE
Payload Mechanical Lead
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Helped lead payload design, analysis, fabrication, and testing
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Created payload CAD (Siemens NX)
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Fabricated payload components
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Usually had 3-4 active sub-team members
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Led weekly sub-team meetings
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Showed team members how to use machines like the drill press and 3D printer
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Collaborated on system integration with the other sub-teams
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Worked under the guidance of NSL’s chief engineer and Northwestern’s machine shop staff
DESIGN CRITERIA
The landing system will...
Be completely jettisoned from the rocket at an altitude between 500 and 1,000 ft. AGL
Land in an upright orientation or be capable of reorienting itself in an upright orientation upon landing
Land within the borders of the launch field
Self-level to within a five-degree tolerance from vertical, completely autonomously
Not be tethered to the launch vehicle upon landing
Produce a 360-degree panoramic image of the landing site after self-leveling, and transmit it to the team
TIMELINE
August 19
Proposal
(written report)
January 4
Critical Design Review (CDR)
(written report, live presentation)
April 17
Competition Launch
November 2
Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
(written report, live presentation)
March 8
Flight Readiness Review (FRR)
(written report, live presentation)
May 1
Post Launch Assessment Review (PLAR)
(written report)
PHOTOS
RESULTS
The payload successfully ejected from the rocket. Unfortunately, the payload's linear actuators sheared from the ball joints in the base. This occurred because we overestimated the actuators' shear strength, and the actuators were plastic while the ball joints were steel. However, prior testing showed that the actuators could autonomously orient the payload, and the lead screw could elevate the camera for a panoramic photo.
