Aether

Proud to present the latest and greatest addition to our team's vast canvas of rockets, Aether is our high-performance and efficient rocket that we will be using for the 2024-2025 ARC competition. Designed to maximize points, we first began simulating and designing on OpenRocket, and with the help of our experienced designer Chetan Thotti, we made a well-rounded design for a rocket that proved worthy for our team. Then, onto the building. Staying true to our team and unique to the competition, we use 3D-printed parts for several rocket components. Our professional builders spent weeks ordering and fabricating the rockets to perfection, ensuring they were ready for launch.

3D Components

Our team uses 3D components for many essential reasons. One, it allows us to design our components rather than purchasing them online. Why is this important? To ensure a winning rocket, a team must first design and simulate one. However, it is hard to order components that exactly match a design a team has made. Therefore, 3D printing components allows a level of control unparalleled by any other means of manufacturing. Not to mention, we are also able to fine-tune and refine quality control to ensure the best component is being made for our rocket. Currently, we use two 3D printers: Ender 3 Pro; and Bambu Lab 3D printer.

Fabrication Process

When it comes to fabricating, nothing could be a more delicate and precise process. Our team follows several key but simple guidelines. One, no eyeballing. All measurements must be made with a ruler and cut with some guide at hand. Two, there must be two people working on the same component of the rocket at all times. While this may seem less productive, it ensures that one is supervising in case of any mishaps that could hamper the rocket's performance. Three, instructions must be made and followed for every fabricating process or "build party" as we like to call them.

Aether V1

Our rocket design focused on key principles: stability, center of mass, center of pressure, and total mass. These variables were carefully considered during the design process. Aether V1 served as our testing rocket, where we aimed to achieve a balance between these factors. The results were promising—we successfully reached a height of 210 meters without structural failure. While close to our target, it fell short of our goal. 

Aether V2

To address the issues of Aether V1, we made several design improvements: reshaping the nose cone, increasing the height of the body tubes, and reducing the mass of 3D-printed components. All these improvements resulted in the development of Aether V2. 

Aether V3

Our new rocket features and F42 motor, which provides a higher average thrust force. To enhance performance, we made several design improvements, including larger fins for increased stability and a longer nose cone to minimize drag. In our simulations using OpenRocket, we intentionally calibrated the rocket to overshoot the target altitude. This adjustment accounts for real-world variables and potential errors, such as unaccount mass from screws, glue, standoofs, or deviations in flight trajectory, like flying at an angle.