Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Development of a Solid Propellant Rocket in the Frame of the Cabo Tuna Mexican Program

  • Original article
  • Published:
Aerotecnica Missili & Spazio Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This work presents the experimental results of launching of Fénix I-2 “Alejandro Pedroza Meléndez” (F2APM), a Mexican manufacture single-stage solid propellant rocket motor from Cabo Tuna Range in Charcas, San Luis Potosí, México. The solid fuel sounding rocket motor was KN-Sorbitol propellant type. The rocket performed its flight at perfect weather and visibility conditions, reaching a maximum altitude of about 6 000 m. Engine and flight trajectory showed very good agreement with the theoretical data measurement obtained from captive-fired experiment. At burnt-out, locked-in resonance increased drag limiting the maximum vertical reach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Abbreviations

Isp:

Specific impulse, N s/Kg

Vbo:

Burnout velocity, m/s

Mo:

Total weight, Kg

Mbo:

Rocket weight at burnout, Kg

References

  1. Saucedo-Zárate, G., Arauz-Lara, J.L., de la Cruz-Mendoza, J.A., Vázquez-Martínez, E., González-Aguilar, H., Lobo Guerrero, A., Martínez, J.R.: Captive-fired experiment of solid rocket motor. J. Spacecr. Rock. (2021). https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A34999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Pradhan, S.K., Kedia, V., Kou, P.: Review on different materials and their characterization as rocket propellant. Mat. Today (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.02.960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ropia, B., Shekhar, H.K., Thakur, D.G.: Study of initial pressure rise in multi grain solid propellant rocket motor. Propell. Explos. Pyrotech. 45, 1–11 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.201900291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. NASA SP-8041: Captive-fired testing of solids rocket motors (1971)

  5. Nakka, R.: Effect of chamber pressure on burning rate for the potassium nitrate-dextrose and potassium nitrate-sorbitol rocket propellants. http://www.nakka-rocketry.net/soft/ds_burn.pdf (1991)

  6. Gudnason, M. M.: Characterization of potassium nitrate—sugar alcohol based solid rocket propellants, Bachelor Thesis, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark (2010)

  7. Rønningen, J.-E.: NEAR SCA rocket system and phenix-150A rocket motor, NEAR technical report TR-004–0/00

  8. NASA SP-4051: Solids rocket motors igniters, NASA Space Vehicle Design Criteria (chemical propulsion) (1971)

  9. RASAero: Rocket Aerodynamic Analysis and Flight Simulation Software, Roger Aeroscience, Copyright 2019, Charles E. Rogers

  10. Hoult, C.P., Tran, H.: Sounding rocket fin design to mitigate roll lock-in, Rocket Science and Technology, Santa Ana, CA. 2015, IEEE Aerospace Conference 7 March 2015, Corpus ID: 36815148 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1109/aero.2015.7119025

  11. Womack, W.C., Bert, C.W., Perdresuville, F.J.: Dynamics sounding rockets at burnout. J Spacecr. Rocket 11(10), 716–720 (1974)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Schaechter, W.: Sounding rocket performance approximations, Thiokol Chemical Corporation, Ogden Utah, presented at Unguided Rocket Ballistics Meteorology Conference New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, N. Mex, oct 31-nov 2 (1967)

  13. Bose, P., Pandey, K.M.: Analysis of thrust coefficient in a rocket motor. Int. J. Eng. Adv. Technol. (IJEAT) 1(3), 30–33 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Evans R.H., Haigh, G.G.: Feed-back accelerometers circuits with a velocity output, ARC RLM 3462, Ministry of Aviation, England

  15. GT AE 4451: Rocket Propulsion, GEORGIA TECH/Thrust coefficient, characteristic velocity and ideal nozzle expansion. https://gradebuddy.com/doc/2637773/rocket-propulsion/

  16. Platzek, H.: Preliminary solid rocket motor design techniques, NWC TM 2953.

  17. Colbaugh, L.: Indirect and direct methods for measuring a dynamic throat diameter in a solid rocket motor,” Thesis Master of Science in Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Univ. of Alabama, Huntsville, AL (2014)

  18. Seidel, H.H.: Transient chamber pressure and thrust in solid rocket motors, AD 613962

Download references

Funding

Work without funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Mexicano del Espacio Ultraterrestre, A.C., Mariano Abasolo 810, 78000, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico

    G. Saucedo-Zárate & M. A. Saucedo-González

  2. Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Álvaro Obregón 64, 78000, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico

    J. L. Arauz-Lara, J. A. de la Cruz-Mendoza & E. Vázquez-Martínez

  3. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Álvaro Obregón 64, 78000, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico

    J. R. Martínez

  4. Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo km. 4.5, 42184, Mineral de la Reforma, HGO, Mexico

    A. Lobo Guerrero

Authors
  1. G. Saucedo-Zárate
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. L. Arauz-Lara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. A. de la Cruz-Mendoza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Vázquez-Martínez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. A. Saucedo-González
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A. Lobo Guerrero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. J. R. Martínez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. R. Martínez.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Saucedo-Zárate, G., Arauz-Lara, J.L., de la Cruz-Mendoza, J.A. et al. Development of a Solid Propellant Rocket in the Frame of the Cabo Tuna Mexican Program. Aerotec. Missili Spaz. 101, 135–141 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42496-022-00115-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42496-022-00115-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation