Rockets
SN10
ROCKETS // LAUNCH 03.31.24
Serial Number 10 (SN 10) was the tenth solid rocket I developed, building on the experience of 15 previous flights and static fire tests. This iteration introduced several advancements, such as relocating the hexagonal pattern inside a thin aerodynamic shell, upgrading the nozzle to a fully cast plaster design, and replacing the clip system with threaded fittings for easier assembly and better structural integrity. An ignition system was also added to improve reliability and enable more precise control during launch. These changes represented a significant leap in both design and performance. The rocket burned vertically for an extended period, but its light weight and high winds caused it to arc mid-flight. A minor burn-through at the motor’s top, likely caused by a fuel imperfection, occurred late in the burn and had no significant effect on performance. The success of SN 10 highlighted the importance of incremental improvements, setting the stage for further advancements in future iterations.
SN09
ROCKETS // LAUNCH 02.04.24
Serial Number 9 (SN 9) was the ninth solid rocket I developed, designed to test a new fuel structure. Instead of using a core that extended the full length, SN 9 featured a half-core, half-solid fuel design to facilitate parachute deployment at the end of the burn. The concept partially succeeded: the rocket burned as planned, vented through its dedicated holes, and popped the nose cone, although it was unclear whether this happened before or after landing. This experiment demonstrated the potential for integrating deployment mechanisms directly into the fuel structure and opened new possibilities for future designs. This was my second consecutive successful launch, but it highlighted a new challenge. Both SN 8 and SN 9 launched upward, arched, and burned downward due to the depletion of the fuel core, which left the rockets top-heavy. These findings provided valuable insights into fuel dynamics and stability, guiding the development of SN 10.
SN08
ROCKETS // LAUNCH 01.21.24
Serial Number 8 was the 8th solid rocket that I developed continuing to work on a rocket motor that would be able to with stand the pressures and temperatures in the motor. SN 8 was the most successful rocket that I had developed to date. SN 8 introduced a way of joining the 3D printed components using a clip system, as an alternative to joining the 3D printed components with super glue. This allowed the rocket to stay together, however there was at one point during flight a noticeable pop which is my assumption that the pop was the nozzle blowing apart. During the launch the rocket is spinning with a small flame coming from the motor then, pop and the rocket begins to fly straight with a much larger flame coming from the motor. SN 8 also brought a rounded nosecone, a differently designed fin shape, added an integrated launch rail guide, and removed the plaster from the rocket which was adding complexity and weight to the rocket.
