Date of Award
Summer 8-2021
Access Type
Dissertation - Open Access
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Committee Chair
Birce Dikici
Committee Co-Chair
Pedro Llanos
First Committee Member
Sathya Gangadharan
Second Committee Member
Fardin Khalili
Third Committee Member
Victor Huayamave
Fourth Committee Member
Mandar Kulkarni
Abstract
With recent advances in the commercial space industry, suborbital payload launches have become more common and accessible to researchers actively seeking solutions for problems involving prolonged space travel and future missions to Moon and Mars. Suborbital payload missions compared to orbital launches are less expensive and offer faster turnaround times; however, the novelty of this domain provides unique challenges. This multidisciplinary research effort aims to tackle some of these challenges by detailing the design, development, and testing techniques followed in the successful launch and recovery of payload experiments in currently active and upcoming suborbital launch vehicles. The research methodology involves collecting payload requirements, CAD design, computational analysis, mass optimization, 3D printing, vibration, and load testing, model rocketry development, simulation, and launch operations. Structural analysis using FEA and vibration testing on a shaker table shows the compliance of the payload prototypes in the maximum predicted flight environments. Multiphase CFD analysis is used as benchmarking technique to characterize the behavior of payloads containing liquids in microgravity. Hands-on model rocketry has proven as a valuable research platform for subsequent payload deliveries.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Duraisamy, Vijay Vishal, "Design, Development, and Testing of Research Payloads on Various Suborbital Flight-Test Platforms" (2021). Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses. 608.
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/608
