Volcanic Ash Particle Collector
For the 2015-2016 school year I was the Payload Subdivision Lead on the Rocketry Team. I was in charge of design, fabrication, and systems integration of a volcanic ash collector to be launched at the 2016 IREC. The goal was to demonstrate that a collection mechanism launched aboard a sounding rocket could be used to accurately sample active volcanic ash clouds, an environment which poses significant hazards for planes that might normally perform such atmospheric measurements. My design involved opening actuated holes in the rocket’s nose cone to pass a fixed volume of air through a filter inside the payload, which would collect ash particles for further analysis upon retrieval. Since our rocket was to be launched in the Utah desert, a secondary subsystem was also required to simulate an ash cloud.
Some notable achievements of the final product are its high quality construction and efficient use of space. While certain standardized parts such as standoffs and valves were purchased, all other components were custom fabricated by our team. I machined several of the parts myself from aluminum, and created the diffuser base by wrapping Kevlar around a 3D printed block. This payload helped our team achieve 3rd place in the advanced category at the 2016 IREC this year.
Some of the major design challenges I dealt with on this project include:
Some notable achievements of the final product are its high quality construction and efficient use of space. While certain standardized parts such as standoffs and valves were purchased, all other components were custom fabricated by our team. I machined several of the parts myself from aluminum, and created the diffuser base by wrapping Kevlar around a 3D printed block. This payload helped our team achieve 3rd place in the advanced category at the 2016 IREC this year.
Some of the major design challenges I dealt with on this project include:
- Structural requirements for high g-forces and impact
- Precise and reliable control of collection actuators under highly dynamic motion
- Highly space constrained
- Minimizing aerodynamic effects of collection on the rocket’s trajectory