The Project
Payload Summary
In our experiment, we will investigate the effect of acceleration on the crystallization of
supersaturated sodium acetate (CH3COONa) solutions. We will be testing pure
supersaturated sodium acetate solutions, along with supersaturated sodium acetate
solutions containing trace amounts of other impurities (dopes).
Launch Vehicle Summary
We will use a two stage vehicle for our experiment. We will be observing the effects of
different gravitational states on the crystallization of sodium acetate, and a two stage
rocket will give us two distinct acceleration profiles during flight.
To have a successful mission we need to reach one mile AGL and have successful
crystallization in all reactor tubes in the payload. The rocket will be 120 inches long, with
a 4 inch diameter for both the booster and the sustainer. It has a liftoff weight of 20.6
pounds (sustainer itself is 13.7 pounds). The proposed vehicle and propulsion options
are discussed in detail below. The propulsion is a K-class motor in the booster and a Jclass
motor in the sustainer and total impulse is 2421 Ns. The vehicle can launch from a
standard launch rail.