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The Longhorn Rocketry Association is a student-run organization at the University of Texas which designs, builds, and tests high-power rockets. Through the course of high-power rocketry programs, members gain hands-on experience with industry-standard design processes, fabrication techniques, and testing and launch procedures.
This year, the LRA needs YOUR help to help propel Texas Rocket Science to the next level across two projects: The Hybrid Engine project, and the Spaceport America Cup team.
The Longhorn Rocketry Association is currently designing, building, and manufacturing a series of hybrid rocket motors. Powered by a solid fuel grain and a liquid oxidizer, hybrid rocket motors are among the most advanced propulsion systems which collegiate rocket design programs have successfully built and implemented into operational rocket airframes. The Taurus development engine, the first of the LRA’s hybrid motor prototypes, is in the final stages of manufacturing and the Ground Systems team will perform a hot-fire in the immediate future.
However, successful testing of motor prototypes requires a steady flow of consumable resources including compressed gases, ablative motor casing liners, and plastic fuel grain and hardener. Any help you may provide will ensure that the LRA is able to perform critical tests and collect the data needed to design a winning hybrid rocket motor.
To develop technologies in designing and manufacturing other systems which the LRA will ultimately integrate into its hybrid rocket-powered platform, the LRA will continue to compete at the Spaceport America Cup in the 10,000 ft- COTS solid motor-powered category. This year, the LRA will field its most advanced project yet- Syncope, a rocket which will study the effects of high G-forces on blood pooling in the superior vena cava using simulated human veins and blood.
To compete at the SAC, the LRA will need additional funds to manage transportation to and housing at the competition site at Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
A 20-ft section of stainless-steel tubing used to transfer the flow of nitrous oxide from pressure vessels to a hybrid motor on the hybrid motor test rig.
One 4-inch diameter fiberglass body tube, used for the fuselage of a competition rocket. Durable, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive when compared to other plastic composite materials, fiberglass components form the bulk of a competition rocket.
A top-of-the-line aluminum-tipped filament-wound carbon fiber nose cone for the Syncope rocket.
A sheet of 1/4" G20 grade fiberglass laminate. Used for fins and other internal structural components of Syncope, as well as for prototypes of an experimental active braking system.
A Cesaroni L1050-P L-class solid rocket motor. Required for each launch of Syncope, the competition rocket.
The ablative liner protects the Taurus hybrid rocket motor's aluminum casing from the heat of combustion. One is required for every test fire, and consists of 26 wraps of fiberglass, almost a kilogram of resin and hardener, and an ample amount of graphite powder.
Several high-performance pneumatic valves for the fluid systems of our motor test rig and launch pad. Will be used to implement automatic refilling of the nitrous oxide accumulator tank.
One large roll of course-weave fiberglass, good for several airframes, ablative liners, and other components.
