WSGC Collegiate Rocket Competition Design Analysis – Team ChlAM

Abstract

The WSGC Collegiate Rocket Competition’s 2012 launch challenged teams to launch a single stage high-power rocket as close to 3000 ft in the air while transmitting live video for the entire ascent. Our team designed and successfully launched a roughly 5 foot tall rocket for the competition on a $1000 budget. With the aid of simulation software and our own calculations, our rocket had a safe and stable launch to 2479 ft, lower than our expected 3000 ft. Error was likely caused by the strong wind and rainy conditions during the launch, which add drag. In addition, we made assumptions in our calculations about the rocket’s drag coefficient, which may not have been accurate. We were satisfied with the success of our first high-power rocket and learned a lot that can be carried over to next year’s competition.