Our experiment

In the previous link, you have a first look at the project. Our goal is to design, construct and test two experiments: the behavior of structures and bolts in the space environment.

Details:

Name: The effects of high accelerations on space structures

Codename: Alpha Mec

If the acceleration is high then the structure warps because the acceleration increases the weight of the structure.

Our proposal is to design and build two different “sandwich” structures pre-loaded with equal weights in order to determine the best structure that can resist the axial loading (usually in the “z” axis), measuring the deformation on the structure thickness.

What is/are the independent variable(s) for this experiment? 

The independent variables are the forces produced by the acceleration in the motion direction.

What is/are the dependent variable(s) for this experiment? 

The dependent variable is the thickness of the panels.

What is the connection to the Earth or space-based problem or need - OR - contribution to current research? 

The connection to the space-based problems is the study of the stress that supports the rocket and the payload. In the launch and cruise stage, all the structures are under high forces, produced by high accelerations. These forces, called “g-forces” multiply the weight of all the structures by a factor, usually greater than 3g. It means that in the flight direction the stress is significantly high.

What is the need/justification for conducting the experiment in a space or near-space environment? *

The best way to study stress is to perform a test in a real rocket. On Earth, a centrifugal machine increases gradually the acceleration. It is quite difficult to design a hardware that reacts to these forces the same way a rocket would.

Name: The effects of vibrations on bolts adjustment

Codename: Beta Mec

If the vibrations on the rocket are severe then the bolts loosen up because the torque is not adequate.

We propose to design a structure that supports four different kinds of bolts and nuts, with the intention of joining two panels with the same adjustment force (torque) to determine the variation of the adjustment due to the high vibration environment of the rocket.

What is/are the independent variable(s) for this experiment? 

The independent variables are the vibrations on the three-axis produced by the movement and rocket motor.

What is/are the dependent variable(s) for this experiment? 

The dependent variable is the degree of adjustment of the bolts.

What is the connection to the Earth or space-based problem or need - OR - contribution to current research? 

In the rocket flight, there are two critical moments: launch and MECO (main engine cut-off). In these moments the vibrations are high enough to get through the entire structure. This can result in a dangerous phenomenon called “resonance”. Our proposal is to study how vibrations influence the bolts torque.

What is the need/justification for conducting the experiment in a space or near-space environment? *

We need to study these vibrations on a rocket in flight. On Earth there are special machines (shakers) which perform simulations of these kinds of vibrations but they are very difficult to access and the tests lay far beyond our budget.