Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Charles Pringle, PE or Dr. John Choi

Second Committee Member

Charles Pringle, PE or Dr. John Choi

Third Committee Member

Mr. Chris Berkshire

Abstract

The challenge given by NASA was to design and build a reusable payload capable of a human survivable landing, without the use of a parachute or streamer.

The method chosen to accomplish this was a large spring to extend and mitigate impact forces over a few seconds. The device was attached to the lower end of the payload to act as a secondary force reducer, with the primary device being the gyrocopter assembly built by Brycen. Two 6061 aluminum rods, attached together with a spring, act as the main structure of the payload, connecting the spring assembly, the capsule, the connector, and the gyrocopter assembly together. To maintain a rigid structure, the small rod overlaps with the large rod by at least four inches, and the spring allows them to overlap by another nine inches when compressed. The lower payload acts like a crumple zone for a car. Where instead of a collapsing structure, the spring compresses, increasing impact time and absorbing most of the force.

Testing measured survivability metrics from the capsule housed in the middle of the main structural rod. Accelerometers were used to measure G forces experienced in the capsule. To succeed the payload needs to meet human survivability metrics. The payload achieved less than 30 G of instantaneous G forces during testing. In addition, testing measured and assessed payload stress and damage to ensure the payload was reusable.

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