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