2008 Woodie Awards
Rocket Experiment Project builds rocket engine
Billy Nollet
Issue date: 4/21/06 Section: News
Horizons interviewed Rocket Experimental Project (RXP) secretary John Pickrel about their Liquid Rocket Engine (LRE).
Pickrel stated that about a year and a half ago, RXP started researching with intent to construct a "bi-propellant liquid rocket engine that produces ninety pounds of thrust."
Many problems arose when attempting to carry this project forward.
"Most [of our] students are freshman and sophomores who have not taken any classes on rocketry, let alone the complexity in liquid rocket engines," Pickrel said. Hence, "[we] had to scour books and the Internet for data and ideas."
Pickrel said that liability concerns raised red flags for SGA approval: given the "potential danger" with this project, the rocketeers had to seek clearance by the campus safety officer, their "cool advisor, Dr. Mariott," and the Yavapai County Fire Department. These "political hoops" required "extreme persistence and dedication" from everyone in the group.
The group also had to develop plans for an on-campus test site, which will either reside in the burn pit by the maintenance area, or at a permanent test stand out by the RC field."
To better understand RXP's financial troubles, Horizons met with SGA vice president Nate dePutter.
DePutter commented, "Last year RXP submitted a proposal for $1500, and they got it, but they didn't [use] any of the money… so this year [SGA was] hesitant to give [RXP] any money for fear that they would not spend it." Thus, though the 2006 proposal was "very well put together and presented," RXP was only awarded half of the funds they requested.
Pickrel assured Horizons that even though the project has proceeded painstakingly for nearly two years, RXP "[has] jumped through their final hoop," and the project is well under way.
Even though they were only allotted half the funds necessary for the completion of the project, Pickrel stated that "[they] are grateful for what [they] did receive," and will proceed with testing to prove their goal is attainable.
RXP will start work in the machine shop with Patrick David on the week of Apr. 10.
The rocket engine will use kerosene as fuel, and a self-pressurized nitrogen tank to pressurize the fuel tank. A gaseous oxygen tank will provide the oxidizer. The engine itself will be made entirely of copper for its excellent specific heat capacity.
According to Pickrel, RXP's goal is to "start hydro-static testing by the end of the school year," and, following freshman initiation of the Fall 2006 semester, begin "full-scale burn testing."
RXP encourages anyone interested in rocketry to come to meetings on Fridays at 4 p.m. in room 55. Pickrel added, "the LRE is only one of the cool projects [RXP] is working on." For more information about RXP's current projects, email Jonathan Pickrel at [pickr67@erau.edu].
Pickrel stated that about a year and a half ago, RXP started researching with intent to construct a "bi-propellant liquid rocket engine that produces ninety pounds of thrust."
Many problems arose when attempting to carry this project forward.
"Most [of our] students are freshman and sophomores who have not taken any classes on rocketry, let alone the complexity in liquid rocket engines," Pickrel said. Hence, "[we] had to scour books and the Internet for data and ideas."
Pickrel said that liability concerns raised red flags for SGA approval: given the "potential danger" with this project, the rocketeers had to seek clearance by the campus safety officer, their "cool advisor, Dr. Mariott," and the Yavapai County Fire Department. These "political hoops" required "extreme persistence and dedication" from everyone in the group.
The group also had to develop plans for an on-campus test site, which will either reside in the burn pit by the maintenance area, or at a permanent test stand out by the RC field."
To better understand RXP's financial troubles, Horizons met with SGA vice president Nate dePutter.
DePutter commented, "Last year RXP submitted a proposal for $1500, and they got it, but they didn't [use] any of the money… so this year [SGA was] hesitant to give [RXP] any money for fear that they would not spend it." Thus, though the 2006 proposal was "very well put together and presented," RXP was only awarded half of the funds they requested.
Pickrel assured Horizons that even though the project has proceeded painstakingly for nearly two years, RXP "[has] jumped through their final hoop," and the project is well under way.
Even though they were only allotted half the funds necessary for the completion of the project, Pickrel stated that "[they] are grateful for what [they] did receive," and will proceed with testing to prove their goal is attainable.
RXP will start work in the machine shop with Patrick David on the week of Apr. 10.
The rocket engine will use kerosene as fuel, and a self-pressurized nitrogen tank to pressurize the fuel tank. A gaseous oxygen tank will provide the oxidizer. The engine itself will be made entirely of copper for its excellent specific heat capacity.
According to Pickrel, RXP's goal is to "start hydro-static testing by the end of the school year," and, following freshman initiation of the Fall 2006 semester, begin "full-scale burn testing."
RXP encourages anyone interested in rocketry to come to meetings on Fridays at 4 p.m. in room 55. Pickrel added, "the LRE is only one of the cool projects [RXP] is working on." For more information about RXP's current projects, email Jonathan Pickrel at [pickr67@erau.edu].
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