Rocket engines, test infrastructure, and flight vehicle work with the Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab at Embry-Riddle.
A part of the Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab, Odyssey developed a hybrid rocket engine capable of 500 lbf of thrust. In addition to development of the engine, Odyssey spurred the creation of all testing infrastructure for rocket engine test fires at ERAU Daytona Beach. The engine currently holds the record for most thrust produced by a rocket engine at the ERAU Daytona Beach campus.
Recently appointed to the position within the Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab, I am responsible for the engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing of ERPL's engine portfolio. This position also overlooks engaging young members with the liquid rocket engine design onboarding project.
Project Juno will be the first liquid bi-propellant rocket engine developed and fired by the ERAU Daytona Beach campus in over a decade. As engine division lead, I am responsible with overseeing the development of the engine. Juno will utilize liquid oxygen and ethanol for propellants. This project has spurred the development of a cryogenic propellant delivery system critical for the testing of future liquid bi-propellant engines.
Project Spectre aimed to reduce roll during ascent through the use of active control using canards. Through classwork, we were able to mount the forward portion of the rocket in the Mica Plex wind tunnel on campus. The canards were actuated through their full range of motion while the generated moments were recorded. This data was used for the design of the active control portion of Project Spectre. This experiment is now showcased for students taking Introduction to Aerospace Flight Vehicles (AE 201).
The MOE flight vehicle requires a powerful, reliable engine to reach the lofty altitude goal of 60,000 feet. Combining work from previous engine designs, this new engine features an ablative chamber and nozzle using phenolic and graphite respectively. For the injection method, the engine will use a coaxial swirl injector for enhanced combustion and expanding the portfolio of injection methods for ERPL. The engine is slated to provide 2300 pounds of thrust at a chamber pressure of 500 psi.