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Guidance, Navigation, and Controls
A RAMBLIN' ROCKET CLUB PROJECT
Active Controls Rocketry
The Guidance, Navigation, and Control project is Ramblin’ Rocket Club's newest group, flying large-scale rockets that introduce active control methods into the flight plan. Using various methods such as canards, gimballed thrust-vector, and jet-vanes, GNC aims to establish a high-powered rocket with precise maneuverability, building the blocks for future missions, including controlled landing. With an intense focus on research and development, students gain critical skills in designing, testing, and manufacturing in a novel field.
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Avionics & Controls: Creates our own custom flight computer and PCB systems, develops innovative control algorithms and software to power the rocket’s active stabilization in flight, and produces the ground station for telemetry and data collection.
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Structures: Designs and manufactures almost all physical items inside every rocket, including aerostructures, internal hardware, recovery, and active control mechatronics. The subteam leads the way in CAD, machining, structural analysis, and testing of each system.
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Simulations: Creates CFD models to validate the aerodynamic performances of the rocket and the impacts of jet vanes on propellant flow. Analyzes high-speed, high-temperature, and turbulent flows to guide the overall design of each vehicle.
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Propulsion: Experiments with propellant formulations to craft optimal motors for large-scale rockets. Customizes thrust curve and performance to accommodate TVC needs. Builds and test fires motors in-house.
Founded in 2022, GNC aims to become the first collegiate team to successfully demonstrate jet-vanes technology in a high-powered rocket. GNC welcomes students of all majors and backgrounds; no prior experience necessary. Our leads will guide new members from onboarding workshops to hands-on activities quickly. Subteams include:
Big Ideas, Big Innovations
Missions
Jet Vanes
2024-2025
The GNC Project has set sights on a new method of Thrust Vector Control - Jet Vanes. Jet Vanes act as aerodynamically shaped deflectors that are placed at the nozzle exit. Using servo-motors to rotate these vanes, a rotating moment is created on the rocket, which allows the rocket to actively stabilize itself. Counteracting supersonic, turbulent, abrasive, and high-temperature exhaust flows, jet vanes provide one of the best ways to establish controls on a solid-propellant rocket. GNC aims to be the first ever collegiate team to build and launch a Jet Vanes TVC Rocket in Spring 2025.
Quick Facts:
Vane Material: Tungsten-Copper Alloy
Rocket Apogee: 10,800 ft. AGL
Flight Computer: Vaney Sensor Board
Motor Used: Aerotech N1000W
Max Velocity: Mach 0.65
Burn Time: 13.1 sec
Gru and Vector
2023-2024
Gru and Vector are two mid-powered rockets that were designed, built, and launched with a gimbaled motor system in February 2024. The gimbaled motor involved changing the direction of exhaust flow by rotating the motor on two axes. This allowed both rockets to be actively controlled during flight. Each rocket had different parameters – Gru was longer and used a G12 motor, while Vector was shorter and used an F10 motor. These variations allow us to compare the effects of different motor burn times, thrust outputs, and rocket conditions on the functionality of the gimbaled motor. The components of the gimbaled system were designed and built in-house by students, primarily using 3D printing to manufacture components for various systems. Both rockets launched, and although sustained flight was not achieved due to low thrust-to-weight ratios, correction of attitude was seen during the flight
Test Stands
Our Static Fire Test Stands are manufactured in-house from scratch and provide a unique ability to read forces for rockets equipped with TVC. We have 2 test stands with the ability to read both large and small rocket motors, named after some of the greatest cartoon characters ever to live.
Tom Test Stand
The larger of the two test stands, Tom provides the ability to handle full-scale rocket motors up to 8 inches in diameter with an axial thrust reading of up to 45 kN. Tom is also equipped with three 2 kN load cells that can read pitch, yaw, and roll forces. Tom’s robust but modular design accommodates motors 12-48 inches long. Tom’s first test fire in April 2024 made GNC the first collegiate team to test jet vanes technology.
Jerry Test Stand
The smaller of the two test stands, Jerry allows for subscale testing with an axial thrust reading of up to 2 kN. Jerry is equipped with two 2 kN load cells for pitch and yaw measurements. Jerry, itself being a miniature version of Tom, accommodates motors 6-12 inches in length.