Alex Ren

Solid Rocket Motor


I led the propulsion team of the AstroJays at Johns Hopkins University in the development of the team’s first solid rocket motor. This motor was designed to be an L motor achieving about 1500N of thrust and 4500-5000Ns of total impulse using APCP propellant. I led the team in designing the propellant grain, calculating the nozzle design, selecting casing characteristics, and calculating fastener requirements. Unfortunately, the project was not completed by the time of my graduation as the team was still working with the university safety team to safely manufacture the propellant grain and was not approved to begin manufacturing the motor until the end of my time with the team.

This project challenged me to apply my prior learnings in fluid mechanics and rocket propulsion to develop a solid fuel rocket motor. Throughout the project, I improved my skills with Solidworks and created an easily modifiable solid motor using global variables and learned how to select o-rings for proper sealing. This project also helped me develop my leadership skills. I needed to ensure that my team understood the process of developing a motor while also learning it myself. I also was responsible for communication with the rest of the AstroJays team about progress and integration as well as with the safety team to progress the project. This project taught me effective communication in order to understand and meet the requirements of the safety team. I ended my time with the AstroJays with pushing the solid rocket motor through safety such that the team could begin manufacturing the following semester.

Example propellant grain design simulation using OpenMotor
Propellant Mold Design
Nozzle CAD Assembly
Small Scale Test Stand Design

Contact

aren40@gatech.edu
408-464-5891
Alex Ren | LinkedIn