Laser Ignition Sounding Rocket Launch System
Soobeom Heo, Hongryeol Joo, Kyunghyun Ryu, Youngbin Yoon.
Undergraduate Research Program
Advised by Professor Youngbin Yoon
Abstract: This paper describes the processes of establishing and standardizing the launching system for the safe and stable launch of a sounding rocket. The launching system is as important as the scientific rocket itself in performing its mission. However, at present, most unlicensed launch systems are used by undergraduates. This problem may adversely affect the performance of the rocket and also can lead to safety accidents. In this research, the laser igniter was applied to the launch system to enable easy and stable ignition. In addition, we suggest guidelines for the development by establishing and standardizing the scientific rocket launch system.
Contribution
- Developed a laser system for igniting solid rocket propellant (KNSB)
- Developed a sounding rocket lauch pad with controllable launch angle
- Conduct a structure analysis of the launch pad
- Integrated above ignition process and launch pad to a launch system
The laser system consists of a 5W laser with a wavelength of 450nm. Plano-convex lens and plano-concave lens are used for focal length control.
We used SolidWorks for launch pad design and structure analysis.
We succeed in launching a KNSB solid propellant rocket with a proposed launch system.
