The TVC Project

Background 

Thrust Vector Control (TVC) is the manipulation of the direction of a vehicles thrust to provide steering control throughout flight, improve stability, and allow for precision maneuvers. The lander challenge is a competition that motivates collegiate groups to develop self landing rockets. One challenge they offer is a $15,000 prize for a TVC static hot fire. For the competition, an engine above 500 lbf must be fired for at least 10 seconds as the TVC manipulates the thrust vector a minimum of 7 degrees in all directions. Build a TVC system for a 100 lbf engine that could be scaled up in the future to compete in the Lander Challenge.

Goal and Objectives 

1. System is able to withstand 100 lbf of thrust through the burn time of the engine
2. Engine mount designed needs to securely hold a ~3in diameter engine
3. System needs to maintain control of the engine at all gimbaled angles
4. Fabrication and assembly of the system needs to be feasible 
5. All components of the TVC system needs to be within $500

Team Contact

Team Lead: Kyle Deck kmdeck@uci.edu

Sponsor/Advisor

Advisor: Prof. Xian Shi xianshi@uci.edu

Examples

SpaceX Example of Thrust Vector Control 

Berkeley Example of Thrust Vector Control