SPACEPORT AMERICA CUP (SAC)
June 16-22, 2019
About
The Spaceport America Cup, held in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is the world's largest international collegiate high-power rocketry academic conference and design-build-fly style competition. Students launched solid, liquid, and hybrid motor-based rockets to target altitudes of 10,000 and 30,000 feet, and some teams also competed in the Space Dynamics Laboratory Challenge.
2018-19 SEASON GOALS
Reach an altitude of 10,000 feet
Carry and run an accelerometer array payload
Measure the vibrations in the rocket's airframe during flight using the payload
Test the durability of an onboard computer payload
FALL 2018
Team Hōkūlele was established in August 2018, and completed the general design of the rocket’s structure and determination of payloads (inert CubeSat payload and experimental transducer array). The team began proof-of-concept testing using a sub-scale 3D-printed model, along with completing CAD models, design simulations, and the mathematical model for the vibratory analysis that will be carried out by the transducer array. Team Hōkūlele also presented their project at the Fall Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) Showcase.
SPRING 2019
Team Hōkūlele began fabricating the rocket and payloads, and conducted a static motor test at Windward Community College (WCC).
SUMMER 2019
After completing fabrication of the rocket and payloads, six members (and one mentor) from Team Hōkūlele flew to Las Cruces, New Mexico to compete in the 2019 SAC. The team launched their rocket on the first day of launches and successfully recovered the rocket in reusable condition. Unfortunately, the rocket did not reach its target apogee of 10,000ft (reached ~7,900ft), but the flight as a whole was generally successful, considering that the team was unable to conduct any test launches before the competition.
POST-COMPETITION
Team Hōkūlele will be presenting the results of the rocket’s vibratory analysis (transducer array) payload at the Spring 2020 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) Showcase, and is looking forward to competing again next year.
