Karthik Nuti

Started Apr. 19, 2022

Abstract or project description

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 mission demonstrated the ability to land a booster-stage rocket using complex systems to control engine re-ignition as a brake - a revolutionary breakthrough in the space exploration industry. Even though SpaceX has brought about a technological revolution that sets a higher bar for space travel, there are ways to make this application more economically viable and sustainable. A promising alternative is the usage of a solid fuel rocket instead of liquid fuel, which drastically reduces the cost of rocket production by removing the technology needed for containing cryogenic liquid fuel. However, this creates the question of how to control the thrust of solid-fuel rockets as once ignited, the engines cannot be shut down. To answer the question, this project investigates the complex systems necessary to implement controlled solid-fuel descent for rocket landing and develops a control system diagram to explain how solid-fuel rockets can implement controlled descent. To succeed at designing a control diagram the paper focuses on some existing technologies while also looking at current theories. The paper will go in depth about the control diagram and its connections to the controlled rocket descent while making connections to current tech and theories. There will be charts and graphs to support the explanation. There will also be a small physics section that focuses on providing context as to why certain parts of an integrated control system are important. The overall research will take into account a multitude of perspectives and sources to communicate clearly the pros and cons of said control system design.