2022 SPACEPORT AMERICA CUP (SAC)
June 21-25, 2022
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 competition. Over 1,700 students and faculty will gather in Southern New Mexico for the annual Spaceport America Cup. Drawn by the opportunity to collaborate and compete at a world-class spaceport facility, they represent the best and brightest from more than 150 institutions located all across the world. Students will launch solid, liquid, and hybrid motor-based rockets to target altitudes of 10,000 and 30,000 feet, and some teams also will compete in the Space Dynamics Laboratory Challenge.
2021-2022 Season Goals
Design, build and launch a rocket capable of reaching an altitude of 25,000 - 30,00ft by redesigning last year’s rocket design
Design and build a 360° camera array payload capable of streaming a live video of the descent of the rocket
Recover rocket and payload in reusable condition
*Due to COVID-19, the team is currently conducting many project-related activities online but meets in-person for fabrication activities*
Fall 2021
Currently in the critical design review (CDR) phase of the project
Raising funds through various grants and sponsorships
Procuring various materials for the rocket
Structure
Design and fabricate a rocket frame that provides overall mechanical integrity to the system
The structure should be able to withstand forces experienced during the entire flight sequence and support all interior components of the rocket
Reduce body tube diameter to reduce rocket weight
Create a new fin design that improves the rocket's stability and allows for a higher apogee
Propulsion + Recovery
Select a motor that will propel the rocket to a maximum altitude of 30,000 ft - 2x Aerotech N3300R
Ensure that the onboard avionics deploy at the optimum time so that the rocket reaches its maximum apogee
Integrate an improved recovery system utilizing a combination of methods that will reduce the shock experienced by the rocket when the parachute opens and prevent damage to the rocket’s internal components
Payload
Fabricate and assemble a payload deployment system
Ensure the durability of the payload system and meet the 8.8 lbs weight requirement set by the competition
Fabricate and assemble a 360° camera array payload capable of streaming a live video of the descent of the rocket
Finance
Ensure that the project is operating within budget
Ensure that the team is able to secure necessary resources within a timely manner
Current Balance Available: $3,431
Projected Expenses: $26,450