Tufts SEDS Rocketry Team
Tufts SEDS Rocketry Team
SERPENS - L2 Certification
SERPENS - L2 Certification
Meet Serpens. Named after the serpent constellation, this behemoth was designed with two things in mind: style and size. Instead of recreating Orion or taking a standard route, I wanted to create a rocket from the ground up. I began by designing a double set of trapezoidal fins each separated by 120 degrees - resulting in a set of 6 fins. For the nosecone, I wanted it to be tall, really tall. In order to manufacture my 26 inch tall nosecone, I separated the part into 4 smaller sections. Three of the sections would be 3D printed, and the fourth section I challenged myself to create out of aluminum on the lathe. There were a few iterations involved but in the end I got a nosecone I am very proud of. The resulting rocket was 5'10 and nearly 8 pounds.
Meet Serpens. Named after the serpent constellation, this behemoth was designed with two things in mind: style and size. Instead of recreating Orion or taking a standard route, I wanted to create a rocket from the ground up. I began by designing a double set of trapezoidal fins each separated by 120 degrees - resulting in a set of 6 fins. For the nosecone, I wanted it to be tall, really tall. In order to manufacture my 26 inch tall nosecone, I separated the part into 4 smaller sections. Three of the sections would be 3D printed, and the fourth section I challenged myself to create out of aluminum on the lathe. There were a few iterations involved but in the end I got a nosecone I am very proud of. The resulting rocket was 5'10 and nearly 8 pounds.
I launched Serpens in Pine Island, NY. There was a thunderous roar as the J425 ignited and Serpens was slowly carried to 2520 feet. It was a glorious sight to see after Orion's demise. The heavy rocket landed safely on the wet, soft soil, and I was able to record my data on the altimeter I had tied to the nosecone. I happily received my L2 certification later that day.
I launched Serpens in Pine Island, NY. There was a thunderous roar as the J425 ignited and Serpens was slowly carried to 2520 feet. It was a glorious sight to see after Orion's demise. The heavy rocket landed safely on the wet, soft soil, and I was able to record my data on the altimeter I had tied to the nosecone. I happily received my L2 certification later that day.
