VectorU: Thrust Vectoring in Model Rockets

ScotthewUT commented 3 years ago

Greetings!

Our team, VectorU, wants to stabilize model rockets using active thrust vectoring instead of typical passive techniques (i.e. not fins). Model rockets are fun and control systems are interesting. This project should touch on many engineering disciplines. Whatever your area of interest there will be something for you!

https://VectorU.space/

Objective: Scale down thrust vectoring system to work in small to medium model rockets. Ideally, develop an affordable kit that could be purchased by hobbyists and educators. (Don't blow ourselves up.)

Current Team Members: Scott Crowley & Aaron Tea

We are looking for people with the following skills: Mechanical Engineering XP 3D Drafting & Printing Software Development (esp. mobile app) Investor Funding?

Contact: scott(at)utah(dot)edu -or- aarontea3(at)gmail(dot)com

salwab commented 3 years ago

The project is practical for entertainment and rocket development. a challenge could be that the workload is a lot for two people. another challenge could be the mechanic of the hardware. and software algorithm.

marked to people who are interested in rockets as a hobby. (Model aircraft hobbyist)
yes.
consider reducing the cost to expand the product.

ColinPollard commented 3 years ago

Colin Pollard, Jacob Bills. What is the practical use of this project: This project allows for hobbyists and students to learn about and utilize thrust vector control in their model rockets.

Challenges to implement the project: TVC is difficult to implement from a controls perspective, and doing so in a confined space and weight like a model rocket is even more so. Keeping cost at hobbyist levels.

Marketplace: Prosumers, Hobbyists, Educational Organizations (schools, clubs, universities).

Will we buy it: If the price is reasonable for a fun weekend project, and it works with smaller models, absolutely!

Improvements: Minimize price far below $500, open source the project such that others can improve it who have more experience in the field.

jason-zavala commented 3 years ago

What is the practical use of this project? Learning opportunities seems like a big one. STEM environments and even as a tool for rocket people.

What are the challenges we think of to implement this project? If the application is model rockets, then the challenge seems to be finding something really lightweight, power efficient, and feasible.

What is the marketplace for this project? Students and other rocketeer enthusiasts.

Will we buy it? I am actually interested in model rocket stuff so possibly! 🚀

What to improve from an outsider's perspective? I am not huge into the model rocket scene, but is $500 pretty standard pricing? Just a thought. I am looking forward to how this turns out!

MrYo531 commented 3 years ago

What is the practical use? Stabilizing model rockets, give enthusiests a sense of accomplishment. What are the challenges we think of to implement this project? Must make sure the technology has a safety protocol. Must also be light and efficent, and inexpensive to have a good entry point for potentially interested rocketeers. What is the marketplace for this projet? Model rocket nerds Will we buy it? I'm not a rocket guy What to improve from an outsider's perspective? This looks pretty good and well planned out. I'd say make sure everything is tested incrementally.

Interestle commented 3 years ago

Comment from Group 9 (Colton Watson, Seth Jackson, Phelan Hobbs):

What is the practical use? Model rockets don't fly with precision. This could help avoid that.

What are the challenges we think of to implement this project? How could it be made to be reusable? $10 for every flight could get pricey quick.

What is the marketplace for this project? Hobbyist

Will we buy it? I'm not a model rocket guy, so I couldn't say. If I was, sure, that would be fun.

What to improve from an outsider's perspective? Could it be added to other hobbyist projects like RC jets?

TristanStotesbery commented 3 years ago

Group 3 (Tristan Stotesbery, Spencer Durrant, Ben Van hoose): This project could be used for educational purposes, as well as for hobbyists and people interested in rockets. It seems to be a very challenging product to keep the weight low enough to have all the sensors, battery, motors, etc be able to take off and fly. We could see this being marketed to schools and hobbyists that are interested in model rockets. We would not buy this because we don't use model rockets but we could see it being useful for people who are interested in them. We don't know enough about model rockets to know what could be improved, possibly working on decreasing complexity and cost?

JstaNate commented 3 years ago

Comment from Group HealthyBois (Nathan Hummel, Michael Linnebach, Brady Smith):

What is the practical use? -- Hobbiests, and classroom instruction
What are the challenges we think of to implement this project? -- Speed of software and communication -- Weight, model rockets need to be light. Added weight also needs to be symmetric.
What is the marketplace for this project? -- Hobby Lobby
Will we buy it? -- Probably not
What to improve from an outsider's perspective? -- How long do model rocket engines last? Will the TVC be worth it if the rocket only lasts for 5-10 seconds.

dclift97 commented 3 years ago

Comment from Group 1 (Benjamin Wadsworth, Dalton Clift, Sam Hirsch):

What is the practical use? This could be huge for hobbyists and small scale prototyping

What are the challenges we think of to implement this project? Calculations (so much of the math's) Control modules, keeping the controls lightweight Protection of electronics

What is the marketplace for this project? Hobbyist's, makers, prototypers

Will we buy it? If I was a rocket hobbyist we would definitely buy

What to improve from an outsider's perspective? Control when in taking initial flight, durability of equipment, cost.

alexCharters commented 3 years ago

Comment from Group 6 Emmanuel Lotubai, Brandon Chen, Alex Charters:

What is the practical use? Affordable thrust vectoring for model rockets in education.

What are the challenges we think of to implement this project?

Cost reduction.
System robustness.
Weight reduction and distribution.

What is the marketplace for this project?

Rocket gurus, educators, hobbyists.

Will we buy it? Yeah. Super cool project.

What to improve from an outsider's perspective? Add timetable and collaboration plan to website.

McKayMower commented 3 years ago

Comment from Group 5 (Luke, John, McKay, Benjamin): --Practical Use Stabilizing the flight of model rockets to simulate a real flight.

--Challenges -Keeping the model rocket and everything used to control it intact and in a reusable state -Rocket stabilization fails and destroys the whole model rocket -How to debug if something fails?

--Marketplace -Bigger space exploration corporations i.e. NASA, SpaceX, etc. -Education sector - teaching on rocket telemetry

--Purchase? For a much better price we would consider purchasing

--Improvements? -Fix typos on website, especially the email on the contact page. -For debugging maybe add a way to send valuable information from the rocket to the ground in case something fails

ScotthewUT commented 3 years ago

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions!

It appears the largest concern was the price point that our product would retail for. More research is necessary, but our current goal is a target MSRP of around $150-200. The budget currently listed on the website is regarding the R&D costs for creating a prototype. We will update the website to reflect both budgets once we have more information.

-Scott & Aaron

BradySmith1019 commented 3 years ago

HealthyBois comment:

Is the prototype related to the project? Yes, the prototype seems related and a good starting point for the project. Maybe give a little more detail for those that aren't aware of the terminology of rockets. Would we invest? Probably not, we aren't really into model rockets and we don't fully understand the project to be honest.

bbleaptrot commented 3 years ago

Comments from Team 5 (Luke, Benjamin, John, Mckay): -Is this prototype related to the project?

Yes! This prototype can eventually be applied to the final product as long as it properly stabilizes the gimbal, or achieves a tolerable accuracy.

-Is the prototype convincing us to buy?

If we were in the market, currently no. We would want to see this stabilization prototype tested against simulated conditions--like strong wind.

Durrantula commented 3 years ago

Group 3's response Is the prototype related? Yes clearly related. It uses a model and requires ability to rotate motors to direct the thrust.

Is the prototype convincing to invest in? No, maybe if there were some explanation of the prototype design.

YeZhou0226 commented 3 years ago

• Is the prototype related to the project? (with comments) Yes. The PID controller is the first step for their software part. • Is the prototype convincing for you to invest? (with comments) No. It seems they need more details for it.

MrYo531 commented 3 years ago

Is the prototype related to the project?

PID controller is important, getting this done will be good for the prototype.
But what about the other features. the User interface? Maybe this is all that is needed?

Is the prototype convincing for you to invest?

Not sure. PID controller is definitely difficult and time-consuming, but as an investor, I would like to see a bit more from the prototype.

mfateh93 commented 3 years ago

Group 8 (Salwa, Josh, Todd, Mohammed)

Is it related to the project? Yes it is part of the project. It can be the initial steps for starting this project.

Is the prototype convincing to invest? Yes it is convincing. Because, this is an essential part of the project and having it working will give a promising result to the investors.

Interestle commented 3 years ago

Comment from Group 9 (Colton Watson, Seth Jackson, Phelan Hobbs):

Is the prototype related to the project?

Yes, this is definitely related to the project.

Is the prototype convincing for you to invest?

Yeah, if the smaller version of the project could be completed, we would invest.

alexCharters commented 3 years ago

Is the prototype related to the project?

Yes, but more info on how attitude correction is performed is needed.

Is the prototype convincing for us to invest?

Yes, if the gimbal can be stabilized with human interference.

altonbill commented 3 years ago

Is the prototype related to the project?

Yes, getting a basic gimbal responding in real-time is a good plan for proving the basic functionality.

Is the prototype convincing for you to invest? As long as you can keep the costs down I would invest in this project. I would maybe look at the Pi Pico for the microcontroller as its only $4

ColinPollard commented 3 years ago

Is the prototype related to the project? Yes.

Is the prototype convincing for us to invest? While this prototype is a great first step, it does not address the biggest risk factors - namely, the control algorithm and weight of the system. I think that the control algorithm is going to be towards the end of the project no matter what, however the weight of the system could definitely be roughed out using the proposed electronics, and this could be compared to a static thrust test.

You have a kerbal on the front page. A+ from me.

dclift97 commented 3 years ago

Group 1 (Sam Hirsch, Dalton Clift, and Benjamin Wadsworth)

Is the prototype related to the project? Yes, this the definition of what a prototype should be.

Will we invest? Fosho we would invest, we would love to see this in action!

tsung-wei-huang / cs3992

VectorU: Thrust Vectoring in Model Rockets #13