I found the application of this work incredibly fascinating, and seeing the result of my design come to fruition with thrust and ignition was immensely rewarding. Although my schedule didn't allow for further participation in BURPG, I am eager to explore more projects in this field in the future.
Janus is a mini hybrid-fuel rocket engine where our group aimed to learn more about the basics of rocket engines. To do so, we designed and tested a nozzle and computer for static firing. Two students focused on nozzle design, while my role focused on the design of our test computer. This project acted as an introduction project to the Boston University Rocket Propulsion Group (BURPG).
Our design process involved three distinct review stages: conceptual, preliminary, and final, followed by testing. During the conceptual design phase, my primary tasks included creating a flow diagram for the control logic and selecting essential components, such as an Arduino Nano, MOSFETs, an e-Match, a load cell amplifier, and an SD card.
In the preliminary design stage, I developed a comprehensive pinout schematic for our system and wrote pseudocode to control it. Subsequently, I programmed the test computer using Arduino and resolved the remaining logic errors.
Given my lack of prior experience with programming control logic, there was a learning curve, so I faced some challenges in creating a functional system. Nevertheless, I eventually developed a reliable test computer, culminating in a successful three-second firing test.
Your interest in my work is truly appreciated. If any of my projects interest you, please don't hesitate to use the contact form below. I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you.
