Project Thorondor Mk.I (2024)

Thorondor Mk.I 23K SRAD (Hybrid)

Project Thorondor will be the McGill Rocket Team's second-ever hybrid engine rocket launch! Its goal is to carry forward the systems engineering successes from last year's project, perfect the elements that are being reused from last year, and develop new systems that can be used aboard future projects.

Aerostructures

• Fully SRAD Vacuum-assisted Resin Infusion and Pre-impregnated CFRP & GFRP airframe and fins
• Von Kármán nose cone geometry
• More aerodynamic airframe
• Mass optimized structural cages

Avionics

• New CAN communications system
• Pull pins for power up
• New power umbilical
• Improved ground station
• Improved radios
• SRAD GPS antennas

Launch Systems

• Fully SRAD Launch Rail Base and Lifting System
• 18.5 ± 1.5 " effective rail length
• ATV winch with 4500 Ibs lifting capability
• 300 ft galvanized aircraft cable for stability
• Remotely actuated linear actuator for rocket-ground fill system disconnection

Payload

• Studying the strength of bone screws in healthy &
  osteoporotic bones with and without adhesive
• Working with RevBio, using their bioadhesive: Tetranite®

Propulsion

• SRAD Hybrid engine: Maelström Mk.III
  (Nitrous Oxide / Paraffin (eicosane))
• 6.204 kN peak thrust, 28.58 kN·s total impulse
• Showerhead injector and graphite nozzle
• SRAD composite pre- and post-combustion chamber spacers
• SRAD piston pneumatically actuated run valve
• SRAD poppet pneumatically actuated unified full/ dump valve

Recovery

• Single separation, dual deployment recovery sequence
• SRAD 48 in elliptical drogue parachute
• FruityChutes 120 in annular pull-down apex main parachute
• Drogue Deployment: Black powder ejection
• Main Deployment: SRAD 3-Ring deployment mechanism
• Total Harness Length: 644 in under drogue, 994 in under main