Change of Rocket Type for N-Prize Launch Vehicle

Our launch vehicle for the N-Prize competition has four stages divided into two phases.  Phase II is a liquid rocket type using and equivalent to PR-1 and liquid oxygen.  Phase I is being changed from the solid rocket to what is called a hybrid rocket.  A hybrid rocket uses a mix of solid and liquid propellants.  Usually the oxidizer is the liquid and the fuel is the solid, though there are some configurations that are switched.  We will be using the conventional hybrid configuration using liquid oxygen for the oxidizer and a solid fuel mixture of PBAN, aluminum and sucrose.  This change is due to our long term plans now including a larger launch vehicle that requires a higher performance and more versatility than solid fuels can deliver.  This new configuration will come with additional complexities, but they will hopefully be offset by the safety of the system as well as the similarities of the oxidizer subsystem with Phase II.