The Phoenix Hybrid Sounding Rocket Program: A Progress Report 2012

摘要

The University of KwaZulu-Natal's Phoenix Program aims to develop a hybrid sounding rocket capable of reaching 100 km apogee by 2016. The first stage of the program is the development of the Phoenix-1 A low altitude vehicle, capable of delivering a 1 kg payload to an altitude of 10 km. Following intensive structural design and computational analysis work, manufacture of the vehicle is nearing completion. To date, the flight oxidizer tank and motor have been developed, pressure tested, and integrated together by means of four high strength stainless steel struts. The aluminum stabilizing fins have been fabricated and the manufacture of composite airframe components is ongoing. A cold flow test of Phoenix-IA flight motor has been performed. Two hot-fire ignition failures are described and the possible causes discussed. The next immediate objectives of the program are to successfully hot-fire the flight motor by the end of August 2012, and to fly the vehicle by the end of 2012.