HOUBOLT
PROPULSION
AVIONICS
AEROSTRUCTURES
RECOVERY
ATTITUDE CONTROL
OPERATIONS & INFRA
Our overarching design philosophy is: keep it safe and simple. The combined use of state-of-the-art design tools, early prototyping, testing, and a flexible project management structure ensures timely and efficient development. By coupling innovative technology and a minimum requirement strategy with our proven rocket design heritage, we can produce a simple, reliable, and economic product . Fuelled by easily accessible and safe propellants, our rocket is designed to reach an altitude of 120 km, carrying a 5 kg payload.
Our rocket was named after John C. Houbolt, the NASA engineer who pioneered and advocated for the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous (LOR) mission architecture. Houbolt faced a great deal of scrutiny, hostility, and skepticism from the NASA administration. However, being a firm believer that LOR was the only way to get to the moon, he stood his ground and fought for years, eventually convincing NASA to implement LOR. His determination and confidence are core values that we strive to exemplify in our team.
Nitrous Oxide
Ethanol
120km
Apogee
410 Wet
125 Dry
5kg
Payload
8500N
Thrust
8.5m tall
30cm diameter
Constructed of ultra-lightweight carbon composite materials, the nose cone houses Houbolt’s spring-based recovery system.
A versatile space designed to house a 3U payload with a maximum mass of 5 kg. It can accommodate a wide range of payloads for micro-gravity and atmospheric research.
The UEB houses Houbolt’s communications and telemetry avionics, the oxidizer pressurant system, and the cold gas roll control system. It is one of two main command and control bays on Houbolt (see lower engineering bay).
The oxidizer and fuel tanks are Class 4 carbon composite vessels, providing an ultra-lightweight mode of propellant storage. This allows for a lighter overall vehicle design.
The LEB is the heart of the propulsion system. It houses the fuel pressurant system, the engine control and thrust vectoring (gimbal) system, the propellant injection system and the DragonScale thrust chamber.
