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.

Upper Stages Design Complete

We have finally been able to complete the design of the upper two stages of our launch vehicle for the N-Prize.  We had been considering hydrogen peroxide for the oxidizer instead of liquid oxygen, but decided on the LOx.  This happened when the complexities of obtaining hydroden peroxide in sufficient purity out weighed the advantages from not using cryogenics.  For a later design that requires a micro launch vehicle to be on stand by for long periods of time, the H2O2 would be used, but for this competition the rocket will not need to be sitting on its launch stand for much time.  We are also still seeking a source of funding to be able to construct the rocket and satellite.  If you are interested in either donating to this effort, please use the Donate button below.  You can contact us at will@williamsaerospaceandrobotics.com. 

New Business Plan

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. 

Official Contestant

We are now currently listed under the teams competing for the N-Prize!  (http://www.n-prize.com/) We are hard at work on the solid rocket stages currently.  We hope to start testing nozzles soon, and will be posting videos of the entire process on our new N-Prize tab.  After we test the nozzles, we will work on the exact formulation for the solid propellant.  Once the solid rocket boosters are completed and tested through a full duration burn, we will begin work on the liquid stages, which should take less time due to portions of the testing being covered by the solid stages.  Please continue to follow us as we launch our first satellite!

Registration Paperwork Submitted

We have finished and submitted the registration paperwork for the N-Prize, and should receive official notification of entry very soon.  The launch vehicle will be of the same configuration as our Nadia launch vehicle.  The rocket has four stages: two solid rocket booster stages and two liquid oxygen (LOx) and RP-1 upper stages.  Currently the projected weight of the entire rocket is just over 36 pounds, though this number can change up to 25% before we are done with the final detail design.  We will be working on design and testing of the small scale engines, so as soon as we are able we will be posting videos of test firing both the solid and liquid rockets.  If you would like more information, or would like to be a benefactor for this project, you can contact us at info.willaerorobotics@gmail.com. 

N-Prize Competition

We are currently working on the paperwork to be registered for the N-Prize.  The N-Prize is a competition to launch an incredibly small satellite into space for incredibly little money.  The satellite allowable mass is 9.99-19.99 grams, which is roughly 0.36-0.70 ounces.  We mailed out two letters this afternoon that added up to 0.50 ounce, so this is a very difficult satellite to make, which puts it directly in our specialty zone.  Also, the launch, including the launch vehicle, satellite, propellant and anything else for single use, must cost no more than 999.99 British Pounds, which is around $1500-$1600 American.  We have our work cut out for us, but we are up to the challenge.  We are hard at work designing a launch vehicle that is not only custom for this mission, but can also be used for similar payloads at larger sizes.  Come back soon for updates and information about the mission!