Aurora
August 2025 - June 2026
Designed to travel to 30k feet on a COTS solid rocket motor, Aurora was the Case Rocket Team's 2026 entry to the International Rocket Engineering Competition
Airframe
As a part of Aerostructures, I was responsible for the design and construction of the airframe which housed all other subteams. Primary design challenges largely surrounded ensuring the strength of the body as well as integrating various subteams with sometimes conflicting packaging needs.
Analysis
I performed hand calculations and FEA on all bulkheads and centering rings on the rocket. Determining areas best suited for weight relief, I was able to reduce the over all weight of the rocket by 8.4% through informed pocketing of parts.
Manufacturing
With my experience in both manual and CNC machining, I was able to significantly improve the processes used by the team to manufacture its components. Particularly in the precision with which parts could be located, my efforts eliminated significant amounts of sanded which historically had to be done to make parts interface properly.
