MakerLaunch

From Makers Local 256
Revision as of 22:40, 18 September 2010 by Spacefelix (Talk | contribs)

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Creator:
Spacefelix
Status:
In Development
Born On:
16:40, 28 July 2010 (CDT)
Last Updated:
22:40, 18 September 2010 (CDT)

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.

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 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 (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.

19-gram Payload Assumed ISP (seconds) Inert Mass (kg) Propellant Mass (kg) Mass Fraction Delta V (m/s) Inital Mass (kg)
First Stage 210 4.82 27.33 0.85 3112.12 35.07
Second Stage 242.5 0.41 2.31 0.85 3738.93 2.91
Third Stage 275 0.04 0.14 0.77 0.



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