Medusa Lines & Tender Descenders

Responsible Engineers: Jenna B, Jack A, Cruz S, Ben L, Sera H, Dylan G

Past Research:

Phoenix Lines: Soft Goods, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SKiAfh83ogKPZqLmz7E7ntsD3G2yFT4Yhq7cu9cdZG4/edit 

Staging Demo Lines: https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/download/attachments/142940446/DEMO_LINES_DEPLOYMENT.pdf?version=1&modificationDate=1579390640000&api=v2 

Hermes Lines: https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/RocketTeam/Hermes+III+Drogue+Parachute

Hermes Quicklink and Swivel Analysis: Hermes Quicklinks & Swivels

Separation Type

Single Separation & Dual Deployment

• Dohttps://wiki.rit.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=229713880ne on Hermes, Staging Demo Sustainer and Phoenix Sustainer
• Combined drogue & main bay takes up less space in mpt
• 1 separation system isn't as heavy
• Would have to use TDs or cable cutters
  • TDs may not work at high altitude (issues w/ heat transfer and combustion in low pressure)
  • May be good to test TDs in vacuum chamber at lower pressure
    • 2nd gen tender descender (works at "high altitudes"): https://www.tinderrocketry.com/td-2
      • Doesn't require black powder, only e-match(es)
  • Use a cable cutter?
    • https://aeroconsystems.com/cart/launch-recovery/cable-cutter-by-archetype-rocketry/
    • Still uses bp so might not work at high altitude but could have better pressure seal
    • Vacuum tested according to the website: https://www.tinderrocketry.com/improved-piranha-line-cutter

Dual Separation & Dual Deployment

• Heavier (two separation systems vs one) and takes up more space
• No reliance on TDs
• Don't have to worry about main tangling while drogue is deployed
• How do we signal the dual deploy?
  • Load bearing avionics bay? Put the avionics bay in between the two deployment mechanisms to avoid wires tangling in the lines
  • Not all flight computers are created equal: put smol computers in the nose of each stage that are just there to actuate the first deployment

Line Sizing

Line Sizing Resources on Wiki:

• Hermes Webbing Line Sizing: Hermes Webbing Lengths

Outside Sources:

• https://wiki.rit.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=229713880 
• https://richsrockets.wordpress.com/2015/10/02/shock-cords/

Failure Modes

• Webbing failure modes: Hermes Webbing Failure
• LINE TANGLING!!!!
• TD failures
  • e-match shorting
  • wet black powder or TD isn't pressure sealed so black powder can't combust