Mini Falcon 9
A project to take off and propulsively land a model scale rocket similar to the SpaceX Falcon 9
Background
I have always been amazed the engineering feat that SpaceX accomplishes each time they launch a Falcon 9 rocket and land it on a barge in the ocean. I make a point to watch pretty much every single launch they stream. I recently came across Joe Barnard with BPS Space and his project to land a model rocket. It inspired me to try it myself. Being a novice at model rocketry, I have much to learn.
Project Requirements
- Launch height of greater 100 m
- Thrust Vector Control on engine
- Throttlable rocket engine
- Airframe size of 34 mm OD
- Successful recovery of functional rocket
- Land vertically (ala Falcon 9)
Project Process
The scope of this project is large enough, I will work my way up in complexity of the project. Project will be divided into these steps.
- Build and fly custom model rocket
- Add data logging and telemetry on model rocket
- Implement thrust vector control on model rocket
- Create and test model rocket scale liquid rocket engine
- Implement liquid rocket engine on model rocket
- Land model rocket