2021 Aerospace Engineering

Olin Rocketry Team 10,000 ft Launch

As part of a 12-member team, we successfully designed, built, and launched a high-powered rocket that reached 10,000 feet in altitude, overcoming significant challenges including pandemic restrictions, remote collaboration, and last-minute technical issues.

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Altitude

10,000 ft

Maximum flight height achieved

Team

12

Engineering students from various years

Engines

2

Aerotech L875 and M1350 models

The Challenge

Reaching a 10,000 ft altitude with a high-powered rocket presented several significant challenges:

  • Designing and building during the COVID-19 pandemic with team members studying remotely
  • Organizing effective collaboration between experienced team members and first-year students
  • Obtaining necessary certifications and clearances for high-altitude launches
  • Managing logistical issues of transporting team members and equipment to Vermont
  • Addressing last-minute technical issues such as engine fitting problems
Olin Rocketry Team

The Solution

The team overcame these challenges through careful planning and execution:

  • Implementing a hybrid collaboration model with Zoom meetings connecting remote and on-campus team members
  • Working with two mentors, including Olin alum Jake Felser '11 and L3-certified Curtis Heisey
  • Building the rocket outdoors under the Olin oval tent to accommodate assembly constraints
  • Developing a modular assembly process that worked around 24-hour glue drying times
  • Creating a livestream system so family members could watch the launch remotely
Rocket Launch

Final assembly of the high-powered rocket

The rocket design accommodated specific requirements for high-altitude flight:

  • Careful selection of the Aerotech L875 and M1350 engines based on performance calculations
  • Strategic weight distribution to ensure the rocket wouldn't exceed the 10,000 ft target altitude
  • Compliance with safety regulations requiring L3 certification sign-off
  • Custom mounting solutions for all components to ensure structural integrity during high-speed flight
  • Adaptable design that allowed for last-minute adjustments at the launch site

Launch Preparations

The days leading up to the launch required intensive preparation and problem-solving:

When the team discovered the engine didn't fit into the rocket the night before launch, they worked through the night to modify the mounting system. Additionally, at the launch site, the team had to add weight to the rocket to ensure it would pass safety checks and not exceed the target altitude.

Safety was a primary concern throughout the process. The team needed to coordinate COVID-19 protocols to ensure all participants could safely attend the launch and return to campus or travel home afterward. For two team members who were graduating the next day, this timing was particularly critical.

Successful Launch

The culmination of the team's efforts was a successful launch day in Vermont:

The team successfully launched the rocket twice on May 16, 2021, using both the Aerotech L875 and the more powerful Aerotech M1350 engines. The rocket performed as designed, reaching the target altitude of 10,000 feet.

This achievement was particularly significant given that the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) had been canceled for the year due to the pandemic. Despite this setback, the team persevered and achieved their goal outside of the competition framework.

Team and Future Plans

Team Members

  • Anargyros Kriezis '22
  • Aaron Huang '24
  • Berwin Lan '24
  • Brandon Zhang '21
  • Carlo Umberto Colizzi '24
  • Elvis Wolcott '24
  • Esme Abbot '24
  • Clement Hilty '24
  • Sander Miller '22
  • Sparsh Bansal '22
  • Sushmit Dutta '24
  • Kyle Emmi '21

Future Ambitions

  • Competing in the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition
  • Developing in-house rocket engines for future launches
  • Targeting 30,000 ft altitude with future rocket designs
  • Expanding team knowledge through certification processes
  • Creating sustainable knowledge transfer to new team members

Notable Achievements

  • First-year students successfully built a high-powered rocket without prior experience
  • Livestreamed launch allowed family members across the world to participate
  • Maintained safety protocols throughout the pandemic while achieving technical goals
  • Successful coordination between remote and on-campus team members
  • Two graduating seniors completed the project just 24 hours before graduation

Technical Specifications

  • Two flight-capable engines: Aerotech L875 and Aerotech M1350
  • Multiple safety systems ensuring controlled flight
  • Strategic weight distribution for optimal flight characteristics
  • 24-hour component curing process for structural integrity
  • Vermont launch site selected for optimal conditions and clearances
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