Projects

Launch vehicles form an integral part of a space mission since their existence allows for the placement of spacecraft in orbit around the Earth and beyond. Active stabilization using thrust vector control (TVC) and reaction control thruster systems (RCS) are important in launch vehicle applications for several reasons:

• Launch vehicles operating in or near the vacuum of space cannot make use of aerodynamic forces for control purposes
• Aerodynamic control surfaces and fins would impose mass and drag penalties on larger launch vehicles operating within the atmosphere
• Launch vehicles are inherently unstable in flight

This project, aimed at investigating active stabilization of launch vehicles, involved a systems engineering approach to the design and development of a finless amateur rocket. The project included the derivation of launch vehicle equations of motion and a control law, stability analysis for the open- and closed-loop systems, simulations and gain tuning for the control law, and application of the control law using TVC and RCS.

Current push for relatively simple and inexpensive space missions, such as nanosatellites, demand that space communications options be standardized, readily accessible, and easily implementable. Ideally, developers of simple space missions should be able to work with a consistent model for communications, insulated as much as possible from variations amongst choices in the spacecraft radio architecture and ground station access. WolvComm's objective is to develop a technology independent environment encompassing spacecraft radio architectures, ground access, and web services, which would enable small satellite developers to design missions without the need for developing the extensive communications infrastructures associated with them.

WolvComm would be comprised of communications protocols and interfaces engineered to connect satellite data streams to end users through the Internet. WolvCOmm does not require the creation of new communications infrastructure, rather, it utilizes existing infrastructure and tailors it to the needs of the small satellite community. With WolvComm, satellite operators could rely on an easy to use interface that is reliable, customizable, and accessible from anywhere in the world.

The objective of the Space Tourist Alert Radio mission (STAR) is to alert future space tourists in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of dangerous solar activity which could impact the Earth and its near space environment. STAR would be launched into space and inserted into a halo orbit near the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1, L1, where it would remain between the Earth and the Sun. STAR would carry a proven in situ particle detector to identify the presence and severity of approaching solar storms at least 30 minutes before they reach LEO.

MRacing adopted a streamlined body for their 2008 Formula SAE vehicle, but the design was not based on any calculations or aerodynamic theory. One of the major issues with the vehicle was that the side pods restricted airflow into the engine compartment, which led to overheating. Our team performed a detailed characterization of the flow around the 2009 vehicle to identify issues with the proposed design using a scale model at the wind tunnel facilities of University of Michigan's Department of Aerospace Engineering.

http://mracing.engin.umich.edu/

“The SAE Aero Design Competition challenges engineering students to design, fabricate, and test a radio controlled aircraft that can take off and land while carrying the maximum cargo. This gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom on a practical real world problem.” (SAE Aero Design)

http://www.umich.edu/~mfly/