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Welcome to the official documentation of the Dual-Deploy Electronically-controlled Wickedly Intimidating Cloud Kicker (DEWICK) project, meticulously compiled by the Tufts SEDS Rocketry team.
In 2022, our objective was clear: to push the boundaries of rocketry, design, and engineering knowledge while gaining hands-on experience with high-impulse motors. DEWICK's payload included a 4K video camera, accelerometer, altimeters, and an engine bay temperature sensor. Our aim was to reach 10,000 feet AGL with a simulated maximum speed of Mach 1.3.
However, the true essence of our endeavor was the collaborative teamwork required to make this complex and powerful rocket a reality. We invite you to explore this documentation, a professional resource that delves into the technical intricacies of DEWICK's creation and flight.
Welcome to the DEWICK Project Documentation.
DEWICK's airframe leverages lightweight and narrow Blue Tube to reduce weight, increase strength, and improve performance. To accommodate a standard dual-deploy architecture, the airframe is split up into three sections:Â the aft section (engine bay), electronics bay, and forward/nosecone section.
The aft section houses the sturdy and lightweight aluminum fin assembly, which aligns the motor and fins, and translates the motor's thrust directly into the airframe walls. Further up, a lightweight wooden thermocouple sled holds the thermocouple against the motor casing, and a bulkhead ring provides a hard point attachment for the recovery harness eye bolts. The remaining space houses the drogue parachute, and a down-looking camera on the outside.
The electronics bay holds the flight computer, sensors, GPS batteries, and deployment circuitry, all of which are sealed off from the rest of the rocket by 1/4" Birch bulkheads. A longer switchband leaves more room for parachutes in the forward and aft airframe sections, while incorporating holes for pressure regulation, as well as the avionics arming switch.
The forward section holds the main parachute and the nosecone, a 3:1 Haack series profile 3D-printed from ABS plastic. The nosecone shape and mass balance are specifically tuned to allow for smooth supersonic flight, and ensure the rocket does not exceed its target altitude
To improve launch day flow, the motor was integrated the night before launch. Once at the launch site, DEWICK's thorough pre-flight procedures began with the avionics bay preparation. Following preliminary electronics checks, the igniters and deployment charges were carefully installed. With a comprehensive checklist, the launch lead kept track of each integration milestone, recording milestones with closeout photographs. With the recovery harnesses properly tethered, the appropriate screws and shear pins installed, and the vehicle fully integrated, DEWICK moved into the next phase: pad operations.
On the pad, great care was taken to operate attentively and efficiently. A series of secondary electronics checks ensured the GPS, flight computer, and camera were healthy, followed by pad clearance, and checks of the launch and ground tracking systems. Any evidence of off-nominal situation at this stage would have triggered an abort, safing, and reset procedure. However, DEWICK had no issues, and proceeded to launch.
After liftoff, had flight proceeded as normal, DEWICK would have remained on the standard flight tracking and monitoring checklist, but a motor malfunction triggered the in-flight anomaly procedure. After ensuring the safety of the launch team, the team safed the electronics and thoroughly documented all parts of the rocket for post-flight analysis. Upon return, ground video, flight data, and closeout photos were extensively reviewed to determine the root cause of the anomaly.
DEWICK was built in adherence with the standard NFPA 1127, FAA CFR 101, and NAR regulations. Additionally, the project incorporated input on safety and flight procedures from the NAR chapter overseeing the launch. From the outset, the design incorporated passive safety features, minimizing the impact of non-critical component failure. During construction, joints were carefully inspected for proper bonding and good fit with the goal of reducing the risk of mechanical failure. Electronics setup followed a similar approach, backed up by thorough testing. Throughout the entire process we took great care to handle the explosives (deployment system and motor) with extreme care and housed them in the legally required containers to ensure team member safety. Pre-flight testing, arming, and ignition protocols followed standard HPR safety requirements, minimizing the chances of accident and injury. Motors were handled and integrated by the club's NAR L2-certified members.