Blog #2

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Our project goal is to develop a camera cooling system that will allow the camera to record for at least 40 minutes at room temperature (70°F to 77°F) while it undergoes external temperatures ranging from 97°F to 110°F. We plan to have the camera cooling system weigh under 3 lbs, be capable of withstanding the forces experienced throughout flight (recorded maximum of 15 G’s), and fit in a 4x4x6 inch space. The time and temperature range chosen is based on the temperature data from Zenith’s launch shown in Figure 1. The graph shows a steady increase in temperature before launch and a sharp decrease once the rocket launches. 

Figure 1 - Zenith Flight Temperature Data


There have been minor updates to Team 7’s project problem statement and project goals. In particular, the team has slightly modified its definition of room temperature to be within 70°F to 77°F. Previously, the team defined room temperature to be 68°F to 72°F, however, both Team 7 and SCR have agreed that a higher temperature range is more suitable for the project scope. In addition, SCR has clarified that two vent holes (sized to fit an #8-32 screw - 0.164”) can be assumed for future competition rockets. This will aid Team 7’s potential solutions as cooling designs utilizing convection can now be considered.


The biggest technical issues the team must address are choosing cooling methods that will keep the GoPro cool at a desired temperature range, designing an enclosure to have proper insulation, and making sure said design can survive the forces of flight. In order to choose a cooling method, the team will consider each method’s power requirements and cooling efficiency. After three enclosure design layouts have been modeled in CAD, the team will conduct heat transfer analysis on said designs. This method of analysis will allow us to quantitatively determine an enclosure design, fit with a combination of two to three cooling methods. Heat transfer hand calculations will also aid in this determination. Analysis of material properties such as thermal conductivity and toughness will be done in the material selection process. Using the launch data from last year’s launch, calculations can be made from the forces experienced and the material properties to see if the material will fail.


Figure 2 depicts a proposed insulating case design for the GoPro that incorporates a layer of aerogel. The proposed design would allow the GoPro to be placed inside the case which would act to insulate the camera from the high-temperature environment inside the rocket. This would allow the camera to stay cooler for longer, leading to increased battery life. 


Flight data from Zenith, SCR’s competition rocket for Spaceport America Cup 2022, can be seen in Figure 3. The recorded maximum boost acceleration was found to be 14.82 Gs. This data will be used for any hand calculations or FEA analysis inputs and boundary conditions. 


Figure 2 - Proposed Aerogel Double Insulation Design


Figure 3 - Zenith Flight Data

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