AzimUT is the flagship project of Space Society Twente. We are actively developing and building rockets. The AzimUT team is a highly motivated, skilled, and disciplined team that would like to introduce rocketry to Twente. By combining our absolute interest, vast capability, and enormous motivation for rocketry, we plan to develop and build rockets that could reach a few kilometers. This ambitious project can be divided into four main groups, working together and helping each other where necessary.
Propulsion group
The Propulsion group focuses on the development and construction of rocket engines. Currently we are developing our own solid rocket motors. Our solid motors use potassium nitrate as oxidizer and sorbitol as fuel. By following our recipe we manufacture the motors. The team will then perform ground test measurements, which provides adequate data on the engine's functionality and a thrust curve. A rocket test stand will be constructed for this.
Later on we would like to take on the challenge of developing and constructing our own hybrid engines.
Avionics group
The Avionics group focuses on the electronics part of the rocket. This group designs a data logger and telemetry system, which will send real-time flight data to a computer on the ground as well as storing it on the rocket. The group is developing a Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system that can use the data to guide the rocket. This group will also work together with the Propulsion group for ground test measurements and the structural group for the launch pad.
This group has the ambition to land a rocket using TVC with a custom made engine by the Propulsion group.
Recovery and Safety group
The Recovery and Safety group focuses on recovering the rocket after launch and keeping everything safe. It will design, build, and test a parachute recovery system. Rocketry, although exciting, can be quite dangerous. That is why this group has the purpose of ensuring the safety of everyone involved during all activities. It also has the task of looking into legal obligations, because the entire project is to be carried out such that it is in compliance with the law.
Structural System and Integration group
The Structural system and Integration group deals with the structural components of the rocket, such as the fuselage, fins, and nose cone. These components are to be designed to allow maximum aerodynamic performance and overall structural integrity. This group develops the launch pad as well. It also oversees the rocket's design in the big picture: how all parts and subsystems integrate to assemble and launch a fully functioning rocket.
Currently, we are still in the early stages of this ambitious rocket project. We want to form the AzimUT project into a real student team that will compete with other student rocketry teams around the world. So are you a space enthusiast? Are you looking for a challenge? Do you want to help introducing rocketry to Twente? Contact the board for more information!
