Rockets

Static Fire Test Stand

As part of the Columbia Space Initiative's Rocketry Team, I helped design, manufacture, and assemble our rocket's test stand.

Why

The purpose of this test stand is to evaluate the performance and integrity of our rocket under real-life conditions before our actual launch.

What

Our Test Stand is made out of four 6-foot tall low carbon steel rectangular tubes. They are connected by 316 stainless steel brackets to a 1-inch steel top plate and are anchored to the ground.

A mid plate was also created out of 1-inch steel using an industrial water jet with mounting holes for the combustion chamber.

All nuts are zinc-plated steel nylon lock nuts for maximum security.

These here are our rocket's minor rails, which serve to provide both stability and connect the main sections of the rocket together (Payload, Ox. tank, Combustion Chamber)

These rails were designed in SolidWorks and manufactured using a water jet.

Here is a closer look at the steel legs of our test stand. Holes on both the brackets and steel tubes were made using a CNC mill and drill press.

The placement of the holes on the brackets were optimized in order to decrease the moment experienced by the rocket's thrust.

These dual load cells will experience all of the rocket's thrust, allowing for valuable, accurate data to be recorded.

Poster