The Development of Rocketry Capability in New Zealand—World Record Rocket and First of Its Kind Rocketry Course

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Canterbury. Mechanical Engineering
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2015
Authors
Buchanan, G.
Wright, D.
Hann, C.
Bryson, H.
Snowdon, M.
Rao, A.
Slee, A.
Sültrop, H.P.
Jochle-Rings, B.
Barker, Z.
Abstract

The University of Canterbury has developed a rocket research group, UC Rocketry, which recently broke the world altitude record for an I-class motor (impulse of 320–640 Ns) and has run a rocketry course for the first time in New Zealand. This paper discusses the development and results of the world record rocket “Milly” and details all the fundamental elements of the rocketry final year engineering course, including the manufacturing processes, wind tunnel testing, avionics, control and the final rocket launch of “Smokey”. The rockets Milly and Smokey are an example of the design, implementation and testing methodologies that have significantly contributed to research and graduates for New Zealand’s space program.

Description
Citation
Buchanan G., Wright D., Hann C., Bryson H., Snowdon M., Rao A., Slee A., Sültrop H.P., Jochle-Rings B., Barker Z., McKinstry A., Meffan C., Xian G., Mitchell R. and Chen X.Q. (2015) The Development of Rocketry Capability in New Zealand—World Record Rocket and First of Its Kind Rocketry Course. Aerospace, 2015(2), pp. pp. 91-117.
Keywords
rocketry, solid propellant rocket, canard actuation, wind tunnel, PD control, machining, avionics
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::40 - Engineering::4001 - Aerospace engineering::400107 - Satellite, space vehicle and missile design and testing
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