Difference between revisions of "MakerLaunch"

Revision as of 20:52, 18 September 2010

Overview

This page is for the MakerLaunch project. Makers Local 256's spaceflight effort with HAL5's HALO Project to make a launcher that can win the N-Prize Competition. The N-Prize offers two cash Prizes, each of £9,999.99 (nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine pounds and ninety-nine pence, sterling, $15,589.05). The prizes will be awarded to the first persons or groups to put into orbit around the Earth a satellite with a mass of between 9.99 and 19.99 grams, and to prove that it has completed at least 9 orbits with the 9th orbit occuring before 19:19:09 (GMT) on the 19th September 2011. One prize (the "single-spend-to-orbit", or "SSO" Prize) will be awarded to the first entrant to complete the challenge using a non-reusable launch system. The other prize (the "reusable vehicle" or "RV" Prize) will be awarded to the first entrant to complete the challenge using a partially or wholly reusable launch system. Both prizes carry equal status. The cost of the launch, but not ground facilities, must fall within a budget of £999.99 ($1,558.89). Entrants for the RV Prize may exceed this budget, but must demonstrate recovery of hardware such that the per-launch cost remains within £999.99 ($1,558.89). Imaginative use of string and chewing gum is encouraged. Entrants are responsible for everything, organisers are responsible for nothing. N-Prize Competition Rules In Full

Calendar

Status

• 6-8/10 - Have done some preliminary calculations on what kind of rocket would be required to put a various payload masses to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) velocity and altitude. We are assuming the required delta V total will be 10,000 m/s (normal LEO orbital velocity of around 7,800 m/s (17,448 mph) rounded to 8,000 m/s plus an added 2,000 m/s from atmospheric drag and gravitational losses) from sea-level to LEO altitude. Currently, we are looking at a three-stage rocket that has the following specifications.

stage 1 ISP 210 sec Inert 5.446779092 lbm Propellant 30.86508152 lbm Mass Fraction 0.85 total DV Delta V 10000 ft/sec 32999.96916 ft/sec Initial mass 39.9591946

Stage 2 ISP 275 sec Inert 0.501971342 lbm Propellant 2.844504274 lbm Mass Fraction 0.85 Delta V 13390.52159 ft/sec Initial mass 3.647333992

Stage 3 ISP 275 sec Inert 0.059537427 lbm 27.00110046 grams Propellant 0.199320949 lbm 90.39498823 grams Mass Fraction 0.769999999 Delta V 9609.447571 ft/sec Initial mass 0.300858376

Payload 0.042 lbm 19.04761905 grams

Concepts

Rocket Options

• Solid
• Hybrid
• Liquid

Satellite Options

• Have a Tx\Rx capability to leave small twitter like messages on the Satellite for hackerspaces to send to each other.
  • Can this be done with a satellite this small?

Challenges

• Technical
• Financial
  • High Cost of Spaceflight - Achieving orbit on a 1g planet with an atmosphere is a wonder in of itself given the energy required. Getting to orbit on a barely-controlled explosion is always expensive and risky. Therefore, partnerships with people who work with rockety on the amature level and sponsorships are a must.

People

• Bendersgame
• Brokentrace
• Spacefelix
• Your Name Here

Resources