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Structural Design and Analysis of High-Powered Model Rockets

Article · April 2021

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428

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 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

Structural Design and Analysis of High-Powered

Model Rockets
R.V. Nanditta
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203,
Chennai, India

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Submitted: 15-04-2021 Revised: 28-04-2021 Accepted: 30-04-2021
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ABSTRACT: Model rockets fall under the vehicles. The design of shape and type of nose
category of high-powered small rockets. Usually, a cone affects the percentage of drag and depends on
model rocket has a single stage or two stage the Mach number required for the flight.[2] The
separation. These high-powered model rockets can payload tube is present to allocate enough space
be used for educational purposes such as for the electronics, cameras and essential avionics
understanding and practically experimenting the components required for the rocket. The body tube
concepts of external vehicle forces, rocket stability, is the basic airframe of the rocket to which all other
aerodynamics, thrusting, and testing purposes, parts are attached. The recovery system consists of
especially for rocket enthusiasts. Model rockets are a parachute or streamer which will safely return the
inexpensive and mostly does not require any legal model. The recovery wadding prevents the hot
concerns for its launch. The model rocket designed gasses from damaging the recovery system.[3] The
in this study aimed to achieve an apogee of 1000m fins provide the dynamic stability for the rocket.
or more, with the total length less than 1m and The type of fins used varies for each application,
weigh less than 600 grams. The software tool used these are present in the rear end of the rocket to
for this is OpenRocket. The material for nose cone, support the flight by assisting with stability control
the payload tube, transition, recovery or parachute and preventing the rocket to wobble. Finally, the
tube, booster tube and fins were selected based on engine mount securely holds the engine.[4]
the density and weight constrains. The modelled The rocket is launched in a vertical launch
rocket can carry a payload of 50 grams and a guide using a static test pad, this ensures that the
recovery system with canopy and shroud lines. rocket is in an upright position until it has
This developed prototype rocket is powered with a sufficient velocity for the fins to aerodynamically
solid motor which can support its ignition and stabilize the flight. After clearing the launch guide
thrusting. Finally, the study shows the apogee the rocket attains free powered flight.[5] The motor
achieved, vertical velocity and the maximum accelerates the rocket in a vertical and
acceleration achieved for the high-powered model aerodynamically stabilized way. When the rocket is
rocket. nearing the apogee, the recovery system is released
Keywords: High powered rocket design, model with the upward firing of a pyrotechnical ejection
rocket, apogee, model rocket stability, solid which pressurizes the model rocket and opens the
propellent 1. recovery device.[6]
The objective of this work is to design a
I. INTRODUCTION model rocket which can reach an apogee greater
The parts of the model rocket include nose than 1000m and weight less than 600 grams. The
cone, payload tube, parachute tube, recovery required model was designed using OpenRocket
wadding, booster tube or an engine mount and software tools and the apogee, vertical velocity
fins.[1] The nose cone directs the flow of air and maximum acceleration of the model rocket
smoothly around the rocket, the shape and were simulated and plotted with the assistance of
configurations of the nose cone varies from high this software.
powered rockets to commercial space launch

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 420
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

Fig 1: Graphical Representation of Structure of the Model Rockets

Fig 2: Parts of Model Rocket and the Illustration of parachute ejection system [7]

II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP Generally, it is difficult

2.1 Rocket Stability to extract this point by simple methods and usually
The two main parameters that influence a calculated experimentally in a wind tunnel or with
rocket as centre of gravity (CG) and centre of the help of numerical equations.
pressure. The centre of gravity (CG) for a rocket The position of the centre of gravity (CG)
can be found by balancing the rocket using your and centre of pressure (CP) plays a critical role
hands similar to balancing a pencil. It is at this with respect to calculating the stability. The
point, the amount of mass on both sides are equal. rotation of the rocket takes place around the centre
The mass distribution of the rocket is uniform, and of gravity (CG) during the flight and the gravity
the centre of gravity (CG) is exactly in the middle. acts on that singular point. Whereas forces such as
[8] drag and pressure act on the centre of pressure
On the other hand, finding the centre of (CP). These two factors decisively judge the
pressure (CP) of the rocket is difficult to stability of rocket.[9]
comprehend. It is the point along the rocket z axis During the launch, the centre of gravity
with the same amount of surface area on both sides. (CG) is dependent on the burn time. The centre of

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 421
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

gravity (CG) will move upwards to the rocket due The stability of the rocket in terms of
to the fuel and oxidizer placed I the rear end of the centre of gravity (CG) and centre of pressure (CP)
rocket.[10] The centre of pressure (CP) is can also be states. If the centre of gravity (CG) is
dependent on the velocity of the rocket in the in front of the centre of pressure (CP), the rocket is
medium through which it flies, in this case air. The stable. The more the centre of gravity (CG) is
OpenRocket software considers the medium, centre away from the centre of pressure (CP), the more
of gravity (CG) and centre of pressure (CP). stable the rocket is.[11]

Fig 3: Illustration of the direction of rocket along its flightpath [12]

The stability margin (SM) determines the while designing a model rocket is that the stability
stability of the rocket. Stability margin (SM) is margin should be greater than 1 but less than 2 can
where the distance between the centre of gravity be simplified as (1 <SM< 2). The stability margin
and centre of pressure is divided by the diameter (SM) is given by the formula:
„d‟ of the body of the rocket.[13] The general rule

Stabilization of the rocket can be done in controlling is expensive and complex, but on large
two ways: active and passive stabilization. In active rockets it is necessary to use it as active controls
stabilization, the rocket engine is used to control are movable. Passive controls on the contrary are
the attitude of the rocket. This method is quite fixed devices such as the avionics in the rocket
expensive and complex. It is usually used in larger which are used to keep the rocket stabilized.
launch vehicles.
There are two ways to stabilize rockets: 2.2 Forces on Rocket
active and passive. Active stabilization is using Forces such as weight, thrust, drag, and
rocket engines (like gimballing the main thrusters lift act on the model rocket. These forces change
or using smaller engines called Vernier thrusters) to dramatically with respect to magnitude and
control the attitude of the rocket. Active direction as the rocket progresses in flight. The

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 422
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

rocket is mainly subjected to lift, drag, weight and Due to weather cocking, the path of the flight will
thrust during the powered flight.[14] For a rocket, be inclined to a local vertical and horizontal. The
the direction of flight is vertical, the drag and forces can be split into vertical and horizontal
weight forces act almost in the same direction. components using the angle of inclination (θ) as
Finally, the rocket engine must exert a force in shown in the figure and the net horizontal force and
order to overcome the weight and drag forces. The vertical forces are derived.
drag and thrust is along the direction of the flight.

Fig 4: Flight Path for Powered Rockets

The net horizontal force (Fh) is given by the 2.3 Weather Cocking
substraction of the Thrust (T) and Drag (D) and The influence of the wind making the
multiplying with the cosine of the inclination angle rocket turn is known as weather cocking. This term
θ as these forces act on the opposite direction: “weather cocking” was derived from the word
Fh = [T - D] * cos b. “weather-vane”. The velocity of the rocket
increases just after the launch along with the
Similarly the net vertical force (Fv) is given by increase in the aerodynamic forces from the nose
substracting Drag (D) from Thrust (T) and cone to the rear end. In case of no wind, the path
multiplying with sine of the inclination angle θ of the rocket would be vertical, and the relative air
minus the weight: velocity would also be vertical opposite to the
Fv = [T - D] * sin b - W flight direction of the model rocket. Wind acts as
For smaller rockets such as high-powered an additional component by producing an effective
model rockets are launched, the wind-blown acts flow direction by making an angle to the flight
on the centre of pressure and make the rocket to path. The flight path depends on the relative
tilt towards the direction of the wind during its magnitude of the wind as well as the velocity of the
thrust phase and drift slightly during the non- rocket. The lift forces make the rocket spin about
thrusting phase. This effect becomes negligible for the centre of gravity (CG) and produce a new flight
larger rockets and diminished with the increase in path with the wind. This aligns the rocket with the
altitude due to the decrease in the air density. direction of flow of wind, hence there is no longer
any lift force.

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 423
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

Fig 5: Represents the inclination due to weather cocking [15]

The angle of tilt in due to weather cocking can be The payload tube of 15cm in length, 5cm
calculated as tan θ, where θ is the angle of as outer diameter and 4 cm as inner diameter is
inclination with respect to the horizontal direction. designed. The wall thickness is constant
The anlge of tilt is given as: throughout as 0.5cm. The material selected for the
Tan θ = V/W payload is Balsa wood with a density of 0.17g/cm3
Where: with regular paint for component finishing as
V = Velocity of Rocket (m/s2) 60μm. The weight for this body tube configuration
W = Weight (g) is 18g.

III. METHODS AND MATERIALS 3.3 Transition

3.1 Nose Cone There are a variety of shapes available for
The nose cone shape selected for the transition tube such as conical, ogive, power series,
design is “Haack”. This is specifically designed for ellipsoidal, parabolic series and haack series. The
minimizing the drag and produces a value of 0.333 shape of the transition tube selected is conical.
LV-Haack nose cone for a fixed length and Conical shape for preferred due to better
volume. The length of the nose cone is 17cm with straightness. The transition length of 6cm, fore
a base diameter of 5cm. The thickness of the nose diameter (larger diameter) as 5cm and the after
cone is 0.5cm or 5mm. The material selected for diameter (narrower diameter) as 3.4cm. The wall
the nose cone is Blue Tube which has a density of thickness considered for this transition was 0.5cm.
1.3g/cm3. The mass of the nose with an estimated The material selected was Balsa wood with density
regular paint for the component as 60μm is 96.5g. of 0.17g/cm3. The weight of the transition tube
was 5.97g.
3.2 Payload Tube

Fig 6: Graphical illustration of transition tube

3.4 Parachute Tube cm, outer diameter of 3.4cm and inner diameter of
The parachute tube consists of a recovery 2.4cm. The thickness of the wall was 0.5cm. The
system for safer deployment of the payload. The material chosen for this tube was balsa wood with
parachute tube was designed to have a length of 13 density of 0.17g/cm3. The mass the parachute tube
DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 424
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

was 10.1g. sweep angle is 38.9˚. The thickness of each fin was
0.2cm and mass for each of the four fins are 2.02g.
3.5 Booster Tube The material used for designing the fin is balsa
The booster tube consists of the rocket with density of 0.17g/cm3.
motor for thrusting. The booster tube was designed
to have a length of 21 cm, outer diameter of 3.4cm 3.7 Motor
and inner diameter of 2.4cm. The thickness of the There are different classes of motors. High
wall was 0.5cm. The material chosen for this tube power motors which are classified as "H" or above
was balsa wood with density of 0.17g/cm3. The or have an average thrust over 80 N/s. The motor
mass the parachute tube was 16.3g. selected for this study is “AeroTech H195NT”.
This is a single use motor. Considering the factors
3.6 Fins of safety, reliability, and readily available when
Four set of trapezoidal fins were deployed compared to reloadable motors. The properties of
for better stability. The fins have a sweep length of used motor AeroTech H195NT motor is given in
2.5cm, root chord of 5cm and height of 3cm. The the following table.

Table 1: Properties of AeroTech H195NT

Properties Values

Total Impulse 237Ns

Average Thrust 205N

Maximum Thrust 257N

Burn Time 1.16s

Launch Mass 197g

Empty Mass 82g

Motor Length 203mm

Motor Diameter 29mm

3.8 Payload 3.9 Recovery tube

The payload assumed for this study was The diameter of the canopy was 80cm,
100g with a length of 13cm and diameter of 3.5cm. and material selected was Ripstop nylon with a
The density for the payload was estimates as density of 67g/m3. The packed length was 3cm
0.8g/cm3. The position of the payload was fixed with packed diameter as 10cm. The number of
respective to the tope component that is the nose shroud lines selected for the recovery system was
cone. 6 with the length of 30cm and the material elastic
chord of 1.8g/m3.

Fig 7: Side View of the Rocket Design in OpenRocket

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 425
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

The mass distribution for each component, the length of each part in the model rocket, the density of the
materials used and the preferred shape for the components is listed in the figure 8.

Fig 8: Mass Distribution for each component

IV. RESULTS The design and configurations of the

With respect to the given dimensions, rocket was satisfied by the value of stability margin
motor specifications and configurations it was (SM) falling at 1.7 which is above 1 and below 2.
summed that the total length of the rocket was The centre of gravity (CG) was located at 40.6cm
73cm and the maximum diameter was 5cm. The from the top and the centre of pressure (CP) was
total mass of the rocket with the motor loaded was located at 49.1cm from the top.
484g.

Fig 9: Final design of the high-powered model rocket

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 426
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

Fig 10: Model Rocket Simulation Graph

With the simulation results it was supersonic as Mach>1. The velocity of deployment
confirmed that the modelled rocket could reach an was 35.2m/s, with flight time of 423 seconds
apogee of 1636m, with vertical velocity 432m/s of which is nearly equal to 7 minutes. The ground hit
and maximum acceleration as 502m/s2. The time velocity obtained was 4.01m/s. The graph
taken to reach the apogee was 11.7 seconds. The illustrates the simulation of the vertical velocity
Mach number of this simulation was derived to be (m/s) and vertical acceleration(m/s2) with respect
1.27 which states clearly that the flight path is to the time in seconds.

Fig 11: Results of the simulation of the model rocket

The following figure 12 and figure 13 view of the modelled rocket. The red coloured
shows the unfinished and finished 3-dimensional point represents the centre of pressure (CP) and the

DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 427
 International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM)
Volume 3, Issue 4 Apr. 2021, pp: 420-428 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252

blue coloured point represents the centre of gravity (CG)

Fig 12: Unfinished 3-dimensional view of the model rocket

Fig 13: Finished 3-dimensional view of the model Rocket

V. CONCLUSION Kelly, John O‟Neil, Jackson Whitehouse

This study concludes that the designed “Design and Integration of a High-Powered
high-power model rocket using OpenRocket Model Rocket-II”
software tool is capable of having an apogee of [7]. Figure 2:
1636m, with vertical velocity 432m/s of and https://rocketryinfo.wordpress.com/rocket-
maximum acceleration as 502m/s2. The overall recovery/
mass of the rocket is 484g and the length of the [8]. Danylo Malyuta, Xavier Collaud, Mikael
rocket is 73cm. Further enhancement of this study Martins Gaspar, Nickolay Mullin “ACTIVE
could be done by implementing the concepts of MODEL ROCKET STABILIZATION VIA
design in real time with the assistance of the COLD GAS THRUSTERS” January 2015
avionics support system and detailed design of the [9]. Flávio S. Azevedo “Knowing the Stability of
recovery system. By performing this experiment, Model Rockets: A Study of Learning in
students and rocket enthusiast can understand the Interest-Based Practices”, July 2013,
theoretical learning and experiment the concepts Cognition and Instruction
learnt in practical work. Moreover, performing this [10]. Sean Fischbach, Joseph Majdalani, Gary
experiment will not be dangerous due to the rocket Flandro, Jonathan French “Verification and
motor selected and the limited apogee of 1636m Validation of Rocket Stability Integral
which does not require any special permissions Transformations”, 41st
from the government officials. AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion
Conference & Exhibit, July 2005
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DOI: 10.35629/5252-0304420428 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 428

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