Project Stella (2017)

Stella 30K COTS

The year 2017 represents McGill's 3rd participation in the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition. Stella marks our team's first ever participation in the 30,000 ft category, as well as a first ever production of two rockets. The design incorporates a student built carbon fiber airframe and refined separation and recovery mechanism.

The aero-structure subsystems are manufactured in-house through a newly developed resin infusion process. This was used to manufacture the body tubes of the vehicle. The new manufacturing method resulted in a significantly higher strength-weight ratios and significantly reduced lead time in production.

The recovery subsystems feature a dual pyrotechnic deployment out of a single separation point in the airframe. The two parachutes emerge separately from each side of the separation point.

A student developed electronic-based avionics suite is used as the primary ignition method. In addition, two Stratologgers are used as redundant detonation systems.

Finally, the payload subsystem is an ejectable reusable aircraft formerly known as A.D.A.M (Autonomous Deployable Aerial Mechanism). A.D.A.M. is a proof of concept that could be utilized for geographic mapping, meteorological sampling, and spectroscopic studies.

Results

Spaceport America Cup 2017

30K Category: 3rd/6

Overall: 51th/82