Are you an EPFL student and looking for a semester credited, Bachelors or Masters Project ? Look no further! We have something for you!
If you can’t find your dream project down here, but have an idea or would like to suggest your own project to do with us, we are open to suggestions! Feel free to contact us and we can talk about it.
COMPETITON PROJECT
PAYLOAD
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The EPFL Rocket Team is currently developing a new class of rockets aimed at launching at an altitude of 9km during the EuRoC 25 student rocketry competition. One of the requirements of this competition is that every launch vehicle needs to carry an experimental payload. The aim of this project is to develop the experimental payload that will be carried by the Firehorn 9 launch vehicle in 2025.
This payload project will explore the possibilities of controlled acoustic levitation using ultrasonic speakers during the different flight stages of the rocket. Acoustic levitation is a technique that uses sound waves to levitate objects in the air without the need for physical supports. This technology holds promise for applications in fragile item transport for spaceflight and other applications.
A critical aspect of the project involves carefully managing strict requirements typical of the aerospace industry. The design has to fit within a compact space of 10x10x30cm, it has to weigh between 3 and 4kg, needs to implement its own sensor and avionics board as well as its own power supply, and it needs to be able to maintain a lightweight body in levitation during at least the ascent phase of the flight.
A lot of design freedom is given to the student for this project, in particular in regards to the parts used to build the design as well as the control algorithms implemented.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [2 weeks]: Literature review and analysis of the project requirements
- [4 weeks]: Preliminary design of the device, part selection, and first programming of the control algorithms
- [4 weeks]: Building the device and implementation of the control algorithms
- [4 weeks]: Testing and fine-tuning of the device, integration in the launch vehicle payload integration structure
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- Basic understanding of acoustic phenomena
- Control systems and programming
- Electronics
- Basic CAD and mechanical skills
Contact: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 0/1 Available
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The EPFL Rocket Team is currently developing a new class of rockets aimed at launching at an altitude of 9km during the EuRoC 25 student rocketry competition. Additionally, the long term goal association is to reach an altitude of 100km with a biliquid rocket. Knowing the stresses encountered by the rocket during the different flight regimes is of high interest as it will allow us to better design our next launch vehicles.
The project consists in making a device composed of piezoelectric sensors [Concept described in the above figure] placed on a mass-rod system [idea shown on the below left figure]. The sensors will then be connected to a charge amplifier and finally the avionics, which must read, filter, analyze and register the signals. The sensors will be tasked to directly measure bending constraints which will give us an idea of the overall constraint, displacements and frequency of resonance of the vehicle.
Some of the project constraints include having a maximum mass of less than 4kg, using a volume of 30x10x10 cm3, resisting variations of temperature going from -30℃ to 50℃, and resisting accelerations of up to 30g.
This project is particularly aimed for students interested in pursuing further knowledge in the fields of electricity, signal processing and piezoelectric materials. This project is also an excellent opportunity for students to discover the strict standards and constraints of the aerospace industry.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [3 weeks]: Literature review and analysis of the project
- [8 weeks]: Development of the prototype and manufacturing
- [3 weeks]: Testing of the prototype
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- Electricity
- Piezoelectric materials
- System control
- Signal processing
Contact: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 0/1 Available
STRUCTURE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ERT is aiming to build a rocket which competes in the 9km bi-liquid category at EuRoc for 2025. Such a vehicle represents new challenges which have not been tackled yet within the association. Its engine will be fueled with liquid-oxygen and ethanol and it will enable the rocket to do a supersonic flight. The vehicles are getting heavier and bigger and the ERT can’t keep the current wooden stands (see picture) for the operations, integrations, and expositions. The ERT also needs a way to move the rocket easily.
The aim of this project is to develop and build a modular workbench that can be easily moved, support the rocket and allow it to rotate around its cylindrical axis. It shall also enable each subsystem to be assembled and disassembled for integration operations. The bench shall be used for a range of rocket diameters and shall be used to display the rockets at exhibitions. Therefore, one of the main challenges of the project is to strike a balance between ergonomy, mechanical robustness and adaptability, all while staying within certain mass, volume and cost constraints.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [8 weeks]: Conception
- [4 weeks]: Manufacturing
- [2 weeks]: Test
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- General mechanical knowledge
- CAD
- Simulations FEM
Contacts: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
ERT is aiming to build a bi-liquid rocket which goes to space before the end of the decade. In order to prepare for such a feat, the Team will prove its technology through intermediate rockets that fly at lower altitude. These rockets will be fueled using liquid oxygen and ethanol. There is currently a semester-project dedicated to the design of tanks which will contain the propellant of the next class of rockets. This class consists of a first version of rocket that will compete in the 9km bi-liquid category at EuRoc for 2025 and the second version that will fly at 30km for 2026. Once the design is approved, the next step is to manufacture the tanks. This step itself is quite complex, requiring a project on its own. At the end, tests on the produced tanks shall be done.
The current design features tanks that fulfills thermal and mechanical requirements, i.e.: keeping the LOx temperature at -183°C for 8min using external thermal isolation and able to sustain a maximum operating pressure of 60 bars (FoS 2). So, the aim of this project is to continue the work that has been done to produce tanks for liquid oxygen and ethanol. The main focus is to adapt, if possible, or re-design the tanks for a viable production, within the limit of the team’s means. In other words, the tanks must be capable of being produced using conventional production methods at reasonable cost.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [5 weeks]: Conception
- [5 weeks]: Manufacturing
- [4 weeks]: Test
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- General mechanical knowledge
- CAD
- Material selection
- Mechanical simulation
- Thermal simulation
Contacts: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
For the next two years, the Rocket Team is aiming to build a class of ∅200mm supersonic rocket that will fly at 9km at EuRoC 2025 and then at 30km for 2026. Such a vehicle represents new challenges which have not been tackled yet within the association. The Team has once built a supersonic CFRP airframe but for a ∅100mm rocket. However, the nose cone was made with non-composite material due to manufacturing difficulty. An attempt was made later to manufacture a cone using CFRP but the method was not adapted and led to part failure.
The aim of this project is to first conceive supersonic nose cone and fins and then find reliable manufacturing methods to make them with polymer-based composite. The design will be inspired from the previous work made in the Team and the parts will be made using prepreg laminates which are shaped using a mold. For its previous rockets, the Team used machined epoxy molds but these tooling parts were not the most optimal. The bulk epoxy was too expensive and time consuming for its machining. Moreover, the molds can only undergo a few curing cycles. So, alternatives will be explored for the molds during this project.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [5 weeks]: Conception
- [3 weeks]: Tooling Manufacturing
- [6 weeks]: Parts Manufacturing
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- Literature review, CAD, FEM
- Composite manufacturing, machining
- Traction, Flexion, Modal
Contacts: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 1/1
FLIGHT DYNAMICS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The aim of this project is to study the impact of the aerodynamic loading onto the rocket’s airframe coupling Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis simulations, whose combination is usually called Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI). Since the rocket is expected to exceed Mach 2.8, this type of simulation is critical to determine the structural integrity of the rocket because of the relatively large stresses (thermal and structural) due to flying in the supersonic regime.
The rocket that is shown below – Hermes I – was a smaller supersonic test rocket in which some FSI simulations were already carried out. The idea is to use a single simulation software suite to facilitate the compatibility between the fluid simulations’ results and the structural/thermal ones, which is why these simulations are currently done via ANSYS Fluent (fluid part) and ANSYS Mechanical (structural part).
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [2 weeks]: Literature review
- [2 weeks]: Design of the nosecone and fins geometry
- [4 weeks]: Generating the pressure fields for the relevant portions of the flight
- [4 weeks]: Use the pressure fields as boundary conditions for the FEA analysis
- [2 weeks]: Analyze the data and determine the structural integrity of the launch vehicle
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- CFD (Ansys Fluent)
- FEA (Ansys Mechanical)
- Fluid Dynamics (compressible flows)
- Mechanics of solids
- Aeroelasticity and FSI
Contact: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
By creating a controlled flow of gas, wind tunnels help engineers better understand how
different aerodynamic effects could affect objects in-flight.
Given that supersonic wind tunnels are rare in Switzerland, the
EPFL Rocket Team wishes to build one in-house. Following a
first feasibility study in 2022, CFD simulations were used to
better understand the various phenomena present during
internal supersonic flows such as shockwave-boundary layer
interactions and the potential flow separations.
The goal of this semester project is to build upon previous work
done on the wind tunnel, this time taking greater consideration in
regards to the more practical aspects such as the size, power and cost. The project is
aimed towards mechanical design and manufacturing feasibility.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [3 weeks]: Research on the concept
- [6 weeks]: Establish the physical model
- [3 weeks]: Dimension the concept
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- CFD Simulations
- CAD
- Compressible flows
Contact: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Number of students: 1/1
System Engineering
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Fine-tune rocket design, maximize efficiency, and optimize overall performance through the development of a technology roadmap, using the expertise of the EPFL Rocket Team. The primary focus will encompass systems analysis and Technology Roadmapping using a Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) approach. This roadmap will serve as a precise navigational tool, systematically guiding the development and integration of critical rocket technologies.
The project aligns with the EPFL Rocket Team’s goal of reaching space before 2030 and contributes valuable insights into complex systems engineering.
Key Objectives:
- Systems Analysis: Apply systems analysis methodologies to assess the mission’s feasibility, identify potential risks, and optimize mission parameters.
- Technology Roadmapping: Identify key technologies required for a successful suborbital mission and create a roadmap for their development and integration.
- Data Research: Gather and analyze relevant data on suborbital missions and rocketry technologies to inform the mission Technology Roadmapping.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [4 weeks]: Data Gathering and Research
- [4 weeks]: Systems Analysis
- [4 weeks]: Technology Roadmapping
- [2 weeks]: Documentation
SKILLS NEEDED (or willing to learn):
- Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
- Systems Analysis
- Technology Roadmapping
Contact: michael.fuser@epfl.ch
Supervisor: Volker Gass and Mathieu Udriot
Number of students: 2/2
RESEARCH PROJECTS
ICARUS
MOTIVATION
Icarus’ main objective is to develop and master VTVL technologies (Vertical Takeoff and Vertical Landing) by performing ‘hops’: brief, low-altitude (maximum of 10 metres), vertical trajectories with hovering time at the apogee. In order to achieve this, Icarus has been developing the Hopper. This cutting-edge vehicle incorporates a custom-made rocket engine equipped with thrust vectoring capabilities, which is controlled by carefully crafted Guidance, Navigation & Control algorithms.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project aims to develop a demonstrator vehicle for Icarus. This vehicle takes the form of a drone, specifically designed to serve as a versatile platform for the exploration and testing of innovations, new technologies and ideas in real-world scenarios, closely mimicking conditions encountered during flights.
Compared to the previous iterations of the platform, the goal is to further bridge the gap between the testing platform and the final rocket-powered hopper. As such, the main goal of this project is to create an “up-scaled” and improved version of the existing drone. This iteration shall be considerably heavier and bigger to accommodate for future hardware and software features ensuring increased flexibility and lifespan.
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- Computer-aided design [CAD] (Solidworks)
- Simulations (CFD, FEA)
- Structural Mechanics
- Proficiency in Matlab/Python
Contact: samuel.wahba@epflrocketteam.ch
Supervisor: Sébastien Soubielle
Availability: 0/5 (GM BA6) Available
HYPERION
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The EPFL Rocket team is developing electric pumps to feed the rocket engine, and a prototype has already been developed. Up to now the impeller and fluid domain was highly optimized and produced with conventional methods like milling and turning. This has the disadvantage that fluid domain manufacturing is very expensive. The goal of this project is to find alternatives to milling on a 5 axis CNC. At least two solutions shall be examined and compared to the original one:
- Use additive manufacturing for impeller production
- Simplify Impeller design in order to simplify machining, like the Barske geometry
The design shall be compatible with already produced parts in order to compare the designs in the same setup.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [3 weeks]: State of the art/ software setup
- [4 weeks]: Impeller design and DFM
- [3 weeks]: Manufacture
- [2 weeks]: Testing
- [2 weeks]: Result analysis
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- CAD/ CFD
- Design for Manufacturing
- Performance analysis of a pump
- Material science for AM
Contact: this.koster@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Availability: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In the event of a tank experiencing excessive
pressure, preventing the tank from rupturing is
imperative. This project aims to design functional burst
disks for three specific applications:
- Cryogenic liquid oxygen tank at 70 bar
- Ethanol tank at ambient temperature at 70 bar
- Nitrogen tank at ambient temperature at 420 bar
Given that mechanical properties vary with temperature, this project will carefully consider
these fluctuations. The primary objective is to develop effective burst disks by
project completion. Testing and characterization are integral parts of this initiative. While
access to liquid oxygen might be limited, testing using liquid nitrogen can serve as a viable
alternative. The target is to ensure that the burst pressure falls within a 5% deviation from
the specified pressure. Additionally, the project seeks to create models enabling the
production of burst disks with various pressure ratings at a reasonable cost.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [5 weeks]: Research and prototype design
- [4 weeks]: Production
- [5 weeks]: Testing and characterisation
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- CAD
- Pressure testing & safety
Contact: this.koster@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Availability: 2/2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
EPFL Rocket Team’s brand new Hyperion Plasma project is focused on plasma thruster research, a rather new technology that is taking a prominent place in satellite propulsion systems. Specifically, this project aims to conduct in-depth investigations into three distinct plasma thrusters:Hall Effect Thrusters (HET), Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT), and Arcjets.
Arcjet thrusters are renowned for their ability to produce levels of thrust through the interaction of an electric arc with a propellant. They are a type of so-called electrothermal thrusters, since the origin of the thrust is of thermal nature rather than due to electromagnetic forces. However, the propellant is heated up thanks to an electric discharge, thus Arcjet thrusters are indeed a type of electric propulsion systems. Hence, the semester project proposed by the Hyperion Plasma project will concentrate on the design and if possible production of such a thruster.
The main difficulty of its design will be to deal with the high thermal load that the electrodes must withstand. A local temperature of up to 2200K is present due to the electric arc, and the thruster should be able to withstand it for several hours. An in-depth study of this constraint will be made to determine if an active cooling should be implemented for a prototype of such a thruster or not.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [4 weeks]: Bibliography research
- [6 weeks]: Design iterations
- [2 weeks]: Prototyping/manufacture
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- CAD/Mechanical design
- Thermodynamics basics
- Fluid mechanics basics
Contact: leonard.bongiovanni@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Availability: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The EPFL Rocket Team is an interdisciplinary project and student association with the aim of developing their own engines. This year, the Hyperion project opens up to a whole new technology : Plasma Thrusters.
The purpose of this project is to develop a modular CAD of an Hall-Effect Thruster, taking in account the mechanical as well as electromagnetic constraints of such a technology. It will be carried out in parallel with students in physics bachelor projects who will provide the physical constraints of the design.
Preliminary CAD and documentation will be provided at the beginning of the semester, so that the student can quickly get to grips with the project. The student will need to understand the principle of Hall effect propulsion before starting an iterative design between his mechanical CAD and physical simulations undergone by the physics bachelor students until all simulations are satisfactory. The student will then build his structure with the help of ERT members and test it in a vacuum chamber.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [2 weeks]: Bibliography/getting started
- [4-6 weeks]: Design iterations
- [4-6 weeks]: Manufacture
- [0-4 weeks]: Test and characterisation
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- CAD/Mechanical design
- Fluids mechanics
- FEM
Contact: leonard.bongiovanni@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Availability: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The EPFL Rocket Team is an interdisciplinary project and student association with the project to develop their own engines. This year, the Hyperion project opens up to a whole new technology : Plasma Thrusters.
The purpose of this project is to develop a modular CAD of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster, taking into account the mechanical as well as electromagnetic constraints of such a technology. It will be carried out in parallel with a student who will work on the pulsed power supply.
Documentation will be provided at the beginning of the semester, so that students can quickly get to grips with the project. The student will need to understand the principle of Pulsed Plasma propulsion before starting an iterative design until all requirements are satisfied. The student will then build his structure with the help of ERT members and test it in a vacuum chamber.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [2 weeks] : State of the art / getting started
- [4-6 weeks] : Iterative design
- [4-6 weeks] : Manufacture
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- CAD/ Mechanical design
- Material Science
- Electronics Basics
Contact: leonard.bongiovanni@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Availability: 1/1
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
EPFL Rocket Team’s brand new Hyperion Plasma project is focused on plasma thruster research, a rather new technology that is taking a prominent place in satellite propulsion systems. Specifically, this project aims to conduct in-depth investigations into three distinct plasma thrusters: Arcjets, Hall Effect Thrusters (HET), and Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT).
The Pulsed Plasma Thruster, or PPT, stands out as a particularly promising technology for its ability to deliver short bursts of high-thrust plasma, making it suitable for a variety of space missions. Its working principle is rather simple. For each burst, a portion of solid propellant (generally teflon) is first ablated thanks to a short and low-power “igniter” pulse. Then, a higher power pulse creates an arc discharge that will accelerate the sublimated teflon up to 20km/s. The performance of any thruster is intricately tied to its power supply system. Hence, the semester project proposed by the Hyperion Plasma project will concentrate on the design, production, and testing of the power supply unit for a Pulsed Plasma Thruster.
This power supply has two main objectives. The first is to produce low-power “igniter” pulses to sublimate the teflon, and the second would be to produce higher power arc discharges to accelerate it, thanks to electromagnetic forces. It should thus have the following properties:
- Deliver arc discharges bursts thanks to pulses of ~10𝜇s length, ~25ns rise time, a voltage of 1000 to 2000V, and delivering up to 1 J of energy.
- Deliver igniter pulse of ~1𝜇s length, ~25ns rise time.
- The frequency of these pulses should be variable of 0.1-10 hz.
PROJECT UNFOLDING:
- [3 weeks]: Bibliography research
- [4 weeks]: Design iterations
- [5 weeks]: Manufacture
- [3 weeks]: Test and characterisation
SKILLS NEEDED (or that you are willing to learn)
- Power electronics
- High voltage electronics
Contact: leonard.bongiovanni@epfl.ch
Supervisor: TBD
Availability: 1/1
EPFL ROCKET TEAM
ASSOCIATION
No Association wide project this semester!