EIGER - COMPETITION
Eiger is the team’s first modular rocket. It participated in the 2019 Spaceport America Cup, and came 9th in its COTS-10K class. Its scientific experiment was on fluid dynamics.
LAUNCH AT THE SPACEPORT AMERICA CUP
EIGER - EXTERIOR
Nosecone
Epoxy impregnated flax fiber nose cone. Unlike the carbon fiber body, radio waves can penetrate this composite material, making it a great choice for housing the payload.
The nosecone has been manufactured with Conova.
Avionics
In-house developed controllers for parachutes and airbrakes.
The Antennas are placed around the rocket because the carbon fiber body doesn’t let the radio waves penetrate it.
As the antennas can not support the strengths, an internal structure made of beams in carbon fiber has been developed.
Ground Segment
From the ground, we receive heaps of data from the rocket’s on-board computer. Functionalities of the station include discrete event identification, flight prediction visualisation and altitude check
Modular Structure and Fins module
Made out of epoxy impregnated carbon fiber, the multiple launcher tubes are assembled thanks to a SRAD coupling system capable of lifting a small car! An easily disassembled fin modulus allows us to quickly swap 3mm thick full carbon fins in case of damage.
EIGER - INTERIOR
Payload
Fluid dynamics experiment on how non-Newtonian fluids can be used as a damping system.
Airbrakes
We call them the “shuriken airbrakes”. Our rocket’s engine is planned to overshoot by around 500 meters. Taking into account the wind, air pressure and other parameters, the on-board computer controls the airbrakes. A space-grade Faulhaber actuator drives a gearwheel which then drives the three breaking surfaces.
Recovery Bay
Most critical sub-system of the rocket, our recovery system functions with a single parachute. To minimize drifting due to high-altitude winds, the parachute’s shape is modified during the recovery using a technique called reefing. This is managed by changing the length of the central cord.
Propulsion
It is using a solid COTS (Commercial Of-The-Shelf) rocket motor.