Project Eiger 2019

«Project EIGER» is the team which was sent to the 2019 Spaceport America Cup. Eiger is a 3,03 meter, 23 kilogram modular rocket that ejected a fluid dynamics experiment.

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.

 

Ground Station

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.

 

 

 

Avionic Bay

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.

 

Modular Structure & 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.

Nosecone
Structure
Ground Station
Fins Module
Avionic Bay
Payload Experiment
Recovery Bay
Airbrakes
Motor Bay

 

 

Experiment Payload

Fluid dynamics experiment on how non-Newtonian fluids can be used as a damping system.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Propulsion

It is a solid COTS (Commercial Of-The-Shelf) Engine.

Eiger SA Cup

Nothing more sexy than a rocket launching.

Eiger Reveal 2019

Watch our reveal of Eiger at the EPFL campus.