Bold Venture

Mission Objective

Fly a vehicle to 11,000ft AGL using a COTS solid rocket motor, use a swivel style aerodynamic braking system to actively control trajectory of the vehicle, and deploy an autonomous steerable parachute system that will steer itself to a predetermined landing using a cruciform parachute.

Payload Bay

A Payload capable of delivering packages and other supplies to a predetermined location for this year's Space Dynamics Laboratory Payload Challenge. Trade studies of assorted designs to complete this challenge were evaluated. The design with the highest probability of success was determined to be a cruciform steerable parachute system (SPS). The payload will deploy from the launch vehicle and autonomously navigate to ground targets via GPS.

Variable Drag System

To reach the target altitude of 11,000 ft., the team has developed and implemented an air braking system referred to as the "Variable Drag System" (VDS). The VDS will actively predict project apogee and alter the vehicle's drag coefficient to achieve the desired target altitude. While doing this, the system will deliver flight status logs to a custom ground station through an active telemetry link.

Epoxy-less Booster

Learning from the team's prior anomalies, the booster and couplers of Bold Venture do not utilize permanent epoxy, but instead utilize threaded attachments like all-thread, bolts, and screws to hold the airframe structure together. This leads to a more salvageable rocket overall in the case of an accident and the ability to easily swap out parts to fit a different class motor if necessary.