Instability caused by factors such as wind or technical failures is a major concern within the field of model rockets and the aerospace industry as a whole. The purpose of this project was to model and enhance the stability of flight for a high-powered model rocket through the use of active control systems. This was accomplished by first creating a simulation of the rocket’s flight path using a six degree-of-freedom mathematical model and subsequently by designing a feedback control system to stabilize the rocket’s flight using an actuated fin system. Through the use of control systems and aerodynamics, a theoretical control law was proposed. Subsequently, an actuated fin system capable of controlling the flight path of the rocket was designed and built.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kelly, Evan Robert
• Alvarez, Alexander Ryan
• Whitehouse, Jackson Keith
• Gerhardt, Grace Helen
• O'Neill, John Ryan

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032219-103507

Award

• Provost's MQP Award

Advisor

• Demetriou, Michael A.
• Blandino, John J.

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-03-22

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-01-19