Rocket Project

Background

                The UC Irvine Rocket Project aims to push the boundaries of collegiate rocketry and the development of liquid propellant rockets. Our project strives to prepare students for successful careers in the aerospace and defense industry. In 2017, Base 11 became a partner of the UCI Rocket Project. Their gracious donation enabled the construction of our rocket lab. During the Fall quarter of 2019, the team has scheduled and completed a successful static test fire to experimentally verify our first engine design. An experimental combustion test is a critical first step in designing a full rocket system as well more efficient, higher performance engines.

Goal and Objectives

            The Rocket Project is currently working towards launching our Preliminary Test Rocket (PTR) in the FAR Dollar per Foot Challenge (DPF) Challenge. In order to reach this goal we have three projects currently in development.

• Preliminary Test Engine (PTE): PTE is the largest liquid oxygen and liquid methane fueled rocket engine created by undergraduate students. With its showerhead injector, ablatively cooled chamber, and graphite nozzle, it will produce an estimated 1000 pounds of thrust.

• Cold Brew: Cold Brew is UCIRP's newest modular test stand, designed and manufactured completely in house. This new system will cut down test operations from 12 hours to just 2. It will hold ground support equipment during vehicle launches and test the team's future rocket engines for many years. Cold Brew will be used to perform our second Static Test Fire scheduled to take place on November 21st, 2020.

• Preliminary Test Rocket: Our Preliminary Test Rocket (PTR) is designed to break the current altitude record of 13,000 ft for university-built liquid rockets. Propelled by our PTE engine, its lightweight aluminum/ carbon fiber body will soar to an estimated 30,000 feet and be safely recovered on the ground using a two-stage parachute system. We plan on launching PTR in 2022. 

For any questions, please contact:

                Jorge Karam – Project Manager

                Email: jkarampa@uci.edu

                Prof. Mark Walter – Faculty Advisor

                Email: m.walter@uci.edu

To learn more about our team, visit our website: https://rocket.eng.uci.edu/