Reign - International Rocketry Engineering Challenge 2025

For the first time in Old Dominion University's history, a rocketry team has been accepted to compete in the prestigious Spaceport America Cup. The Old Dominion Rocketry Club (ODRC), which I co-founded just a year ago, will be representing the university in the 10,000ft Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) category. This achievement marks a monumental step forward for ODU in aerospace innovation and competition.

Project REIGN is our design submission for the competition, intended to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet while carrying an 2 kg payload. As Project Manager, I oversee all aspects of project REIGN, managing teams focused on Aero-structures, Propulsion, and Recovery Systems. My role involves ensuring the integrity of system architectures, educating team members, and driving the project toward success. Beyond management, I am directly involved in the technical development of the rocket, contributing through 3D modeling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, OpenRocket designs, and iterative vehicle optimization.

To address specific engineering challenges, I developed a custom Python tool to simulate safety factors for fin flutter considerations, ensuring our design meets stringent safety and performance criteria. I also created the initial OpenRocket simulations and design iterations that formed the foundation of our vehicle.

Our designs and project outline were drafted using Overleaf LaTeX, with all Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) materials planned for submission in the same format. My trip to Spaceport America Cup 2024 as a volunteer competition judge allowed me to establish valuable connections with experienced rocketry enthusiasts. This led to securing a certified flyer of record for our team, an essential requirement for participation.

Project REIGN represents a historic milestone for ODRC and ODU as we prepare to showcase our skills on an international stage. This journey reflects not only our technical expertise but also our dedication to advancing aerospace engineering and inspiring future generations. We are proud to bring ODU’s name to the forefront of collegiate rocketry.

REIGN Modeling and Build Process

Our process began by building our workspace in Onshape, one of our sponsors for the ODU Rocketry Club. Using Onshape allows multiple team members to simultaneously model on the same project files, as all information is stored online in the cloud. Additionally, Onshape enables modeling through web browsers, opening up the ability for our team members to work on almost any platform, regardless of their hardware specifications.

This project required the creation of multiple project parts and assemblies to ensure all components integrated seamlessly. Notably, ensuring proper storage space for payload housings, parachutes, and electronics presented a significant challenge, making the process time-intensive. After the preliminary modeling phase, finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted to size retaining components based on simulation data from OpenRocket and motor specifications.

To ensure proper sizing and fit, we 3D-printed test pieces of critical components early in the design process. This allowed us to make iterative adjustments to the model before committing to the final build. A large portion of the rocket's avionics bay and payload housing will be manufactured using PETG, a durable and lightweight material well-suited for the demands of this project. By leveraging 3D printing, we optimized the design for both functionality and manufacturability, ensuring a precise and reliable assembly that meets the rigorous standards of high-performance rocketry.

REIGN - Fin Flutter Analysis Tool

For our team to be considered for the Spaceport America Cup challenge is the overall safety analysis of our rocket design. To address this, we created a fin flutter analysis tool using Python to evaluate our rocket's design and make iterations based on the expected safety factor from its flight performance. Leveraging the skills I acquired during my internship at NASA, I was able to create and implement this tool effectively by utilizing flight data exported from OpenRocket. By employing a fin flutter velocity equation, we can closely approximate the expected velocity at which flutter may occur, considering factors such as fin geometry, fin material, ambient air temperature and pressure, and the rocket's velocity at that point in time.

Spaceport America Cup 2024 Judging

In the summer of 2024, I had the privilege of serving as a volunteer competition judge for the Spaceport America Cup, one of the premier rocketry competitions in the world. In this role, I was responsible for overseeing 10 competing teams, reviewing over 1,000 pages of technical reports, and providing comprehensive evaluations of their work. My responsibilities extended far beyond remote review, as I made the commitment to drive from Virginia to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to engage directly with the teams and gain firsthand insight into their projects.

As a competition judge, I closely examined each team's design process, assessing their engineering methodology, innovation, and adherence to competition requirements. I evaluated their team coordination and project management, analyzing how effectively they worked together to overcome challenges and execute their designs. Additionally, I reviewed their technical progress, ensuring their rockets were on track to meet performance objectives, and placed significant emphasis on safety protocols to confirm compliance with industry standards.

This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the global rocketry community, build meaningful connections, and further my understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale aerospace projects. It also reinforced my dedication to promoting STEM education and advancing rocketry as both a professional and educational pursuit. My time as a judge was invaluable in shaping my perspective on project leadership

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