Difference between revisions of "MakerLaunch"

Revision as of 00:27, 19 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

• 9/1/10 - CrashCartPro made mention of a satellite concept that would be a hack or recreation of a solar-powered radio bird tracker that would have the right weight to meet the N-Prize satellite requirements.
• 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.

Concepts

Rocket Options

• Solid - High Isp and simple to build, but dangerous to handle/store propellants due to high explosive potential. Per Steve Mustakis from HALO, we will need an ATF-certified storage vault and licensed personnel to handle solid propellants. Such resources ought to be readily available with a local high-powered rocketry club.
• Hybrid - Lower Isp, but have the safety benefit of a liquid rocket due to the oxidizer and fuel being separate and inert on their own.
• Liquid - Lowest Isp, but safe since oxidizer and fuel can be stored separately. Also, requires complex plumbing systems.

Satellite Options

• Hacked Bird Tracker - CrashCartPro made mention that there is a solar-powered radio bird tracker that is comparable in mass to the N-Prize requirements. We would have to modify or recreate one for spaceflight.
• 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 rocketry on the amateur level and sponsorships are a must.

Vehicle Sizing

We are assuming the required delta V total will be 10,000 m/s (22,369 mph) (normal LEO orbital velocity of around 7,800 m/s (17,448 mph) rounded to 8,000 m/s (17,895 mph) plus an added 2,000 m/s (4,474 mph) from atmospheric drag and gravitational losses) from sea-level to LEO altitude. Currently, we are looking at a three-stage hybrid propellant rocket that has the following specifications.

People

• Bendersgame
• Brokentrace
• Spacefelix
• Your Name Here

Resources