Void Decision Matrix

 

Category Choice:

10K COTS vs 30K COTS vs 10K SRAD

ClassProsCons
10K COTS
  • We've done it before so we know what to do as a baseline so we could better ourselves.

  • It would be far cheaper.

    • We have hardware and parts for 10k so reusing them would keep costs low.

  • There's a lot more to a rocket besides going high that we can focus on (manufacturing techniques, avionics, simulations, presentations, etc.)

  • We're far from the best 10k at IREC, it may be smart to first make better 10ks then move on to 30k.

  • It would be just another 10k rocket.

  • We've done it before so it's not expanding and making a higher goal it's instead staying at the same level.

  • There may not be enough substance in a 10k rocket to keep everyone engaged and interested.

  • It wouldn't be as intense of a challenge.

  • A lot more competition in this class as it's the most "basic" .

30K COTS
  • It would test our skills in manufacturing because a higher apogee leads to less room for defects.

  • A higher apogee would be interesting and a good talking point.

  • People have already agreed on doing 30k.

  • Fewer competitors in this category

  • We haven't had a successful one before.

  • Much more expensive.

  • Higher altitude and airspeed means less freedom of design - some things may need to be cut or shrunk, rocket can pretty much only be 1 shape.

10K SRAD
  • Making our own motor would make the rocket more unique and it would bring in a different skill set to the team.

  • There is less competition in SRAD than COTS.

  • We've done 10k before so we know what to do as a baseline so we could better ourselves.

  • It would be far cheaper.

    • We have hardware and parts for 10k so reusing them would keep costs low.

  • There's a lot more to a rocket besides going high that we can focus on (manufacturing techniques, avionics, simulations, presentations, etc.)

  • Working on propulsion development gives us more for people to do.
  • We're far from the best 10k at IREC, it may be smart to first make better 10ks then move on to 30k.

  • If the SRAD part doesn't work we could always fall back to doing 10K COTS.

  • We've never launched SRADs as a team, so it is an unknown

  • Only one member is currently experienced in solids.

  • Nobody on the team has the proper certs to launch an SRAD

  • SRADs are harder to quantify, may make precise altitude targets tricky

  • It's more work for the team.

     

Vote Tally

OptionsVote Total
10K COTS 
30K COTS 
10K SRAD 18

Results: 10K SRAD

 

Rocket Composition:

Full Fiberglass vs Full Carbon Fiber vs Hybrid Mix

OptionsProsCons
Full Fiberglass
  • Radio frequency can get through!
  • We can use COTS tubes which would save on manpower.
  • Easier to machine, (slightly) fewer safety concerns as well
  • Fiberglass can be dyed, so no need for paint weight
  • Buying COTS tubes would be fairly basic
  • Winding fiberglass may have unique challenges that we don't foresee.
Full Carbon Fiber
  • It'd be made of uniform composition keeping to the theme of the name.

  • We can manage carbon fiber manufacturing so it wouldn't be learning a new process from scratch.

  • We still have the materials for doing carbon fiber.

  • The lack of radio transparency.

  • Judges dislike carbon fiber or black airframes.

  • Black airframe will get hotter in the sun

Hybrid Mix
  • We could allow for radio frequency to go through as well as still having the custom carbon fiber aspect.
  • It would allow us to save money and use our previous resources.
  • Not having just one of the same type of material potentially creating fit issues in manufactured parts.
  • Judges may see carbon fiber booster as a radio "dead spot" if rocket is overhead

Vote Tally

OptionVote Total
Full Fiberglass 
Full Carbon Fiber 
Hybrid Mix 18

Results: Hybrid Mix

 

Payload Deployment Type :

Deployable vs Non Deployable

OptionsProsCons
Deployable
  • Unique, judges like to see deployed payloads

  • More complex, giving us more opportunities to learn

  • We haven't successfully recovered one before.

  • More complex, meaning it takes more man hours away from the rocket

  • 1/2 - 2/3 of payload volume taken up by recovery systems

  • Likely more expensive due to redundant IREC-required tracking and deployment systems
Non Deployable
  • Keep it simple which will potentially make it more successful.

  • Ability to swap for a dead mass at any time and not worry about deployment issues.

  • We don't have to deal with accidentally losing it in the desert.

  • Less interesting for the judges.

  • Limits what we are able to do in the payload.

Vote Tally

OptionsVote Total
Deployable 15
Non Deployable Jim, Billy

Results: Deployable (but if needed will be cut)

 

Payload Ideas: (That have to fit as a 3U payload)

Payload Descriptions

Drone: This would be a remote controlled drone that has to be deployed under 400 feet due to regulations that could be used to track the rocket, release some sort of visual signal to find the rocket and it would be a fairly complex project which would look good for the payload challenge.

Rover: This would be a rover which can be deployed from the rocket and landed separate it will be remote controlled and can be used for tracking and visuals to find it / the rocket, it is again a fairly complex project which the judges for the payload challenge will enjoy.

"Black Box of Sensors": A simple box filled with a variety of sensors the team picks to use to simply take data of the flight.

Deployable Mass:. Simple boiler plate mass deployed out of the rocket.

Reaction Wheel: A heavy flywheel inside the rocket allowing for better stability of the flight.

Actual Science Payload: Some sort of scientific test that we preform.

GPS Data Relay: A requirement for deployable payloads for IREC, it is just including a GPS tracker on it.

Adding Smoke System to Payload: Dragonfly 44 worked on developing a deployable smoke system to aid recovery. Can be in payload or in nosecone. 

 

Drone vs Rover vs "Black Box of Sensors" vs Deployable Mass vs Reaction Wheel vs Actual Science Payload vs Adding GPS Tracking to Payload vs Adding Smoke System to Payload

OptionsProsCons

Drone

(Deployable)

  • Interesting and a different aspect of aerospace work.
  • Would be a contender for the payload challenge.
  • Commercially available drone parts are not hard to find and we potentially have some hardware that can work.
  • Very complex
  • Licensing concerns
  • Cost
  • Members might not like working heavily on something that is not a rocket.

Rover

(Deployable)

  • RC car parts are fairly easy to find.
  • Would be a complex payload which could help with the payload competition.
  • Very complex
  • Rough Terrain
  • Members might not like working heavily on something that is not a rocket.
  • Cost

Black Box of Electronics

(Deployable or Non-Deployable)

  • Simple and able to evolve based on team needs
  • Inexpensive
  • Fairly basic

Deployable Mass

(Deployable) 

  • Easy to do if we run out of time or manpower.
  • Pretty much nothing learned from it
  • Would likely not qualify for SDL (nonfunctional mass)

Reaction Wheel

(Deployable)

  • Good way to add more mass to payload
  • May not be allowed under IREC rules

Actual Science Payload

(Deployable or Non-Deployable)

  • Judges like to see real-world implications of what we do
  • Requires a lot of work and (probably) money
  • When brainstorming no one was able to come up with an idea.

GPS Tracking/Data Relay

(Deployable)

  • Judges like to see real-world implications of what we do
  • Possible to do with COTS electronics
  • RF Black Magic Fuckery
  • Populating more radio channels frowned upon

Adding Smoke System to Payload

(Deployable or Non-Deployable)

  • Useful addition
  • It's something that we know that can be done.
  • May be difficult to reach 9 pounds
  • Creates a lot of heat.

Vote Tally

OptionsVote Total

Drone

 
Rover 
Black Box of Sensors 
Deployable Mass 
Reaction Wheel 
Actual Science Payload 
Adding GPS Tracking to Payload 

Adding Smoke System to Payload

(as opposed to in the nosecone)

 

Results: Deployable Black Box of Sensors

Technically not payload but still important: Umbilical to charge batteries as well as power a cooling system for the smoke