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Jun 14, 2014:
Graduated UW with BSAAE degree!


DBL 2013

Results

In June 2013, the Design Build Launch (DBL) rocket team launched its high-power rocket at the 8th Annual Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) hosted by Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA). The high power commercial motor carried the rocket to an unknown altitude before going ballistic (target height was 10,000 ft). The rocket was not recovered.

The post-mission assesment concluded that the cause of failure was the use of an untested pair of pyrotechnic charges that were used as a last-minute replacement when the tested pair went missing right before launch.

Recovery

As the leader for the Recovery Team of the rocket, I was in charge of coordinating all the rocket components dealing with the recovery of the rocket after launch. My team researched parachutes, pyrotechnics, barometers, and other electronics to perform a safe recovery. I also interfaced with the other team leads to ensure all aspects of the rocket were on track and all components would work together.


Avionics

The avionics bay consisted of a pair of independent commercial barometric altimeters connected to dual pyrotechnic blackpowder charges. Early versions also contained an arduino to record barometric pressure logs of the flight. A report of the systems and flight procedures can be found here (PDF).
 2013-05-18 10.42.33

Testing

Some early test launches were performed to verify flight hardware. They showed some work was need to redesign critical load bearing structures.
 968059_604195396272456_451997883_o 2013-05-19 08.25.33

Lessons Learned

I learned some very valuable lessons in how to be a leader--that it's more than just being responsible for something, you have to learn how to best utilize your teammates to get a task done efficiently. That means getting to know each member and finding out what their individual strengths and interests and experience is in.

Other lessons included how to be resourceful when everything goes wrong, and how to keep a level head and fix problems even when you think there's nothing you can do but pack up and go home.