MCGILL ROCKET TEAM
Subteams /

Launch Systems Projects

LS1: Fill System

The Fill System team is responsible for the design, assembly, and maintenance of the systems used to remotely transfer our oxidizer (nitrous oxide) from the ground support equipment to the rocket. On this team, you will gain hands-on experience with our oxidizer storage system; the fill panel plumbing responsible for controlling the flow of oxidizer in filling or dumping operations for both our permanent test site and also competition; the quick disconnect interface with the rocket; and the retraction mechanism for the oxidizer line. You will become familiar with the existing flight-critical ground plumbing systems, and help develop and test improved fluid hardware. You will participate in the full design process, from concept generation, CAD modeling, and 3D print prototyping to generating machining drawings, manufacturing, testing downtown and at the test site, and launching operations!

LS2: Testing Infrastructure

Joining the testing infrastructure project is easily the best way to get your hands dirty and see our hardware actually come to life. Having a permanent test site is a massive advantage, giving us the freedom to run tests year-round—and this term, we’re making the site better, safer, and way more capable. Coming off the build of our new horizontal test stand last year, we’re prepping for our next big engine testing campaign with our new engine. To pull it off, we need to upgrade our tank stand for a dual-tank setup, boost our data collection systems, and implement some site-wide safety upgrades.

However, the biggest upgrade will be a brand new portable vertical test stand. A vertical stand will allow us to push our engine testing further than ever before, and this one is being made with the goal in mind of bringing it to competition. Joining this project will give you the opportunity to be involved in the entire creation process, from design and manufacturing to assembly and, of course, seeing the final product in action.

If you want your work to directly impact whether an engine fires or stays on the ground, this is where you need to be. From designing and manufacturing test infrastructure to building, maintaining, and improving the test site, there is plenty of hands-on civil and mechanical work involved in making every engine test possible. Beyond the technical experience, test site trips are easily the highlight of being on the team. There is no feeling quite like making the trip out to the site, prepping the site with the team, and standing back to watch a hybrid engine ignite and make some noise. If you’re looking to get out of the lab, build awesome stuff with great people, and be right there when the engine fires, come join us!

LS3: Solar Panel Power Supply

Our team’s goal is to make the team more green by replacing our generators with solar panels!!! Last year, we’ve already installed a solar panel stand at the team’s test site. We also designed and built a mobile parasol covered with solar panels that our team used at our Launch Canada competition.

This year, we have two main projects:

  • Upgrading our test site stand to a sun tracking stand, which we will be designing and constructing from start to finish, including its mechanical and electrical design.
  • We’re also excited to announce our newest project: we will be partnering up with the Morgan Arboretum to provide them with solar power! This includes the planning of technical details as well as field work.

As a project member you will be joining us on these projects, and learn about solar system implementation and contractor coordination!

LS4: Launch Systems Structures

The rocket is a powerful machine that requires a strong structure to support it during launch, ensuring proper off-rail velocity and stability. This is why we have a 37ft tall launch tower!

Our tower is already incredible, but it still needs improvements. The main goal of our project this year is to update many of the safety aspects of the tower, and to revalidate and reinforce older parts of the tower.

As a member of this project, you will gain invaluable experience in design validation through FEAs and using CAD software to modify parts and create assemblies. Additionally, this project will allow you to gain hands-on experience through manufacturing and physical testing. This project is a great opportunity to gain both civil and mechanical design experience.

We lift lots of heavy things, so If you’re down for some physical labour and an awesome time, I fear we may just be the project for you!

LS5: Testsite EGSE

Rocket engines are dangerous, and to do this safely, we must be able to run operations and collect data beyond a certain perimeter. This is accomplished with a control station that remotely monitors our testsite, which is supervised by us.

Members of the project play an important role throughout every single step required to test our engine. We are responsible for sensors that monitor pressures and temperatures, as well as control of valves, the ignition system, and a live camera feed. Our job is to make sure that all this circuitry works from its setup next to our rocket engine to the computer’s control panel at the control station. In other words, we deal with everything that’s electrical on site; that means we also work with antennas, wiring, and cameras, to be able to safely control and monitor a high pressure system remotely.

Thus, in this project, you will:

  • Work with PCBs: soldering, debugging, and designing.
  • Electrical Wiring: sensors, valves, power management etc.
  • Regularly go to the testsite for electrical hands-on work such as setup and operations for engine testing
  • Integrate new sensors into the system, as well as other projects at the testsite
  • This year will be focused on a new and improved DAQ and controls system at the testsite for testing our new 15 kN engine, MRT’s biggest and most powerful engine yet

LS6: Pad EGSE

Always wanted to work with PCBs and dealing with new design challenges??? Want to have hands-on work on the electrical system that controls all the valves, pressure and temperature sensors, and control station communication? Then this project is for you!! As a member of this project you will have the honour of innovating and looking for new and improved solutions for our current system.

This implies:

  • New PCB designing
  • Soldering and debugging of printed circuits boards
  • Improved wiring and hardware setup
  • Integration of sensors/valves and electrical components in the plumbing system
  • 3D printed solutions
  • Having a good time!!!

You will be improving our electronics system to be more reliable, flexible and convenient to use. You will be working on our portable electronics box, the Padbox, upgrading it to be used for our new portable engine testing setup, and for future rocket launches!

Furthermore, as a EGSE (Electrical Ground Support Equipment) member, you will be needed at the test-site all throughout the year! That means live debugging of PCB’s, wiring, antenna setup, sensor debugging; everything to make the operations run smoothly in collaboration with our Ls5 Testsite EGSE friends ;)

This year we have a whole lot going on at the test site and it will be an exciting time for EGSE and the whole Launch System Subteam in general! From weekly test-site trips to designing innovative PCBs. Working, debugging, and refining our systems to make everything work seamlessly together with many other projects, that’s what EGSE is all about.

And also, don't worry about prior knowledge, even if some electronics knowledge helps getting started, come as you are and we’ll teach you all there is to know!!!