Solid Rocket Prelim Design Complete

The first two stages for the microsat launch vehicle that we are designing for the N-Prize are solid rockets using potassium nitrate, sugars and aluminum for the oxidizer, binder and fuel.  We have completed the preliminary design for these stages, and are moving on to stages 3 and 4, which are liquid rocket stages.  We are currently looking at kerosene (RP-1) for the fuel, and comparing liquid oxygen and hydrogen peroxide for the oxidizer.  The liquid oxygen has a higher performance and possibly less mass, due to using the oxygen itself as the pressurant, but cryogenics is a large system complexity.  The hydrogen peroxide has a lower performance and more mass for an entire system for pressurant, but not needing cryogenics and all of the associated complexities and mass makes working with the rocket immensly easier.  While we are working on this comparison, we are working to aquire the materials for the construction and testing of the solid rocket boosters.  After preliminary testing, we will go back and do any needed redesign and optimization, particularly of the propellant, and then we will do another round of tests.