Atlas Rocket Captsone
2024-2025
The ATLAS project is UVA’s first hybrid rocket motor initiative, designed to push the boundaries of hybrid propulsion technology. Our team is building a lab-scale motor to improve performance and consistency while paving the way for future student rocketry projects. By integrating 3D printing and rigorous safety measures, we’re creating a foundation for innovation in aerospace engineering at UVA.
Combustion Devices
Nozzle and Chamber Design
Critical Design Review slides for the combustion chamber:
I led the combustion subsystem design, selecting aluminum and phenolic for strength and thermal resistance. Chamber FEA showed a safety factor >6, and thermal analysis confirmed survivability at 3300 K for 5 seconds. The nozzle was optimized for Isp using Isentropic equation then iterated with RocketCEA.
Simulation and Analysis
RocketCEA was used to iterate O/F ratios and chamber pressure. Nozzle performance and chamber structural integrity were validated using ANSYS CFD and FEA.
DAQ and Controls
Real-Time Testing Infrastructure
Co-developed a ROS-based DAQ and control system using ESP32 and Raspberry Pi. Logged thrust, pressure, temperature, and IR video. Built a GUI for live telemetry and post-processing with Butterworth filters and event correlation from high-speed video.
I led ROS development for the DAQ system, creating several Python nodes for both the Raspberry Pi and the PC.
The ESP32 reads sensor data using analog reads and a custom serial interface for the HX711 load cell amplifier. To correct ADC errors, I calibrated the ESP32 with a high-quality DC power supply and created a linear fit for voltage-to-value conversion, programmed directly into the ESP32 firmware.
Sensor data from the ESP32 is sent to the Pi, where Python nodes parse and transmit it to the main PC for logging and visualization.
DAQ system flow chart:
I also developed a gui that controled the relays and servos for the test stand. A card was also used to calibrate the highspeed camera.
Testing Campaign
We conducted hydrostatic, cold-flow, and hot-fire tests. The first hot-fire failed due to ignition pellet dislodgement.
This led to a rapid redesign: a flame-holding cavity and pellet retention shelf were added. The system was rebuilt and recommissioned within 5 days. We then successfully hot-fired, as shown in the images and video below.
Images of Mach Diamonds:
Impact and Future Work
ATLAS was UVA's first student-developed propulsion system. It laid the foundation for PROMETHEUS, a competition-scale engine. The modular DAQ and control system, along with test protocols and safety systems, were designed to be reused by future teams.