FAR Launch Timeline

Description of Proposal

Open

In order to launch to 20 km with FAA approval, it is essential to find a launch site with a sufficient launch ceiling. FAR in the Mojave desert (Nevada) is most likely the best option due to cost and altitude constraints at other sites as well as previous PSP launch experience with FAR. Unless there are significant concerns with this launch site, we can now decide when we want to launch and whether or not we want to launch alongside an ongoing competition.

FAR-51025 is a launch contest in June that would give the team an externally define launch date. The above pdf outlines what vehicle capabilities would earn us points if we were to compete. However, competing would expand the scope of the project outside of our original intent, to reach 20 km. This de-focusing of the design process would be more detrimental to the team’s progress than the motivating of competition. Additionally, becoming a competition team would inevitably lead us to prioritize this competition in the future instead of expanding PSP’s altitude record. This is because competing just for the sake of a launch site and sacrificing points because we are more focused on altitude than payload design would not be a good look for Purdue student rocketry. It would also be difficult to design for next year’s competition as the rules may change each year.

Thus, HA should not compete at FAR; however, flying as an exposition launch would still be a very valuable experience. Attending this competition would give team members the opportunity to interact with other student teams and see a variety of other rockets launch. Networking is always great for PR and may help us with funding.

An alternative to the exposition launch would be launching at FAR during Spring Break of 2024. This flight would take place either the first or second weekend of break and would not be a part of any competition or event. This moves our timeline up by about 3 months and would still give us the opportunity to film any promotional footage we want for PR purposes.

Comparison of Timelines

Purpose of Proposal

It is important to set our launch date far in advance so we can plan accordingly; simply aiming for Spring semester introduces the possibility that we continue to push back our launch date because we aren’t ready yet. Having a clearly defined deadline increases motivation and ensures that we finish the project in a timely manner. This proposal outlines two primary options and poses the question of whether or not we want to attend a competition in the Summer of 2024. Both launches would be great experiences for the team, it simply depends on whether or not team members would like the experience of attending a competition or launching during the semester.

Plan of Action

Vote and decide on a launch date. Submit launch request with FAR.