I'm helping to teach an undergrad numerical methods course. The challenge was to design a rocket and implement a computer model to predict its maximum height. In years past we used off-the-shelf engines and the spec sheet thrust curve. This year we want to incorporate a laboratory aspect of the course, synthesize a potent fuel and launch a significant payload. The fuel has a specific impulse nearly 10x that of the off-the-shelf engines (at its most potent mix).
We may not just go for height. The professor wants to change the objective. Thusfar we've discussed:
- Turn the rocket into a rocket-propelled-aircraft. Predict how far the rocket must travel on a runway in order to take off, given a certain payload, wing span, chord, angle of attack, etc.
- Make two launches per team. One launch is with the straight fuel. The second launch expels the propellant through a nozzle. The shape of the nozzle is designed by each team to maximize the pressure drop through the engine, thus increasing thrust. The object then becomes to predict how much higher the second launch will go.
- Some other wacky ideas, one of which was to just attach a bunch of rockets to a shopping cart, load it up, and see how far it can be pushed up a hill
I'd like to hear some other ideas. I liked the second one, but the level of math required for nozzle design goes beyond what most people cover in their undergrad. The wing one was good, but seeing as how we're building everything I'm afraid they won't be stable.
And no, we aren't allowed to try to launch into space.