The Conceptual Design Review is typically the first design review for any system. Its purpose is to flesh out system-level challenges and risks; therefore, it has a very high-level focus.

CoDR on Rocket Team

Rocket Team uses CoDR to create a project foundation from which each subteam can build confidently. Critically, CoDR identifies the nature of the interfaces between subteams, so that subteams are not constantly responding to the changing needs of other subteams.

Information Presented

Structures

• Material system (e.g. aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber)
• COTS components?
• Tube diameter
• Length of the rocket (to ±25%)
  
• Mass of the rocket (to ±25%)
  

Propulsion

• Propellant choice
• COTS components?
• Nozzle material
• Impulse required (to ±25%)
  
• Motor size (to ±25%)
  
• Testing plan

Avionics

• COTS components?
• Sensors (quantities to be measured)
• Redundancy plan

Recovery

• Main rocket CONOPS
• Parachute sizes (to ±25%)
• Mechanisms (functional requirements only)
  • COTS or in-house?

Payload

• Payload mission
• Payload CONOPS
• Interfaces needed with the rocket

Exec

• Approximate schedules
• Fallback schedules

Example Concept Design Review