AiS Challenge Team Interim Report
Team Number: 058
School Name: Moriarty High School
Area of Science: Physics
Project Title: Space Craft Design
Project Definition
The purpose of our project is to develop a
mathematical simulation with the most efficient ratio of fuel to rocket and
payload weights in order to accomplish the velocity necessary to send a
two-stage rocket into earth's orbit. This is an important concept for space
craft design which can be a factor in current national and internation
situations, such as preventing terrorism, conducting military operations, and
"home defense".
Plan for Solving Our Problem
We will be developing a mathematical model
which will be implimented in C++. We will make some simplifying assumptions and
use the theory of rocket flight. While solving this problem we will take into
consideration the following:
- the rocket and cargo weight;
- the amount of fuel needed for flight;
- speed and amount of fuel needed to break into orbit; and,
- variables such as the atmospheric drag and other hindering forces.
Description of Progress to Date
The majority of our progress has been an
extensive amount of research on rocket design and, we have consulted several
books and web sites dealing with these issues. We have established a mentor who
works at Sandia Labs in the area of computational biology. Her area of expertise
is mathematics.
Expected Results
We expect to develop a model that shows the best
conditions for a two stage space craft. We plan for the math model made to be
accurate and fuctional for the world today. The Earth's present conditions of
war and peace may indeed require a program to send space vehicles into orbit for
the better good of the country.
Team Members
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Sponsoring Teacher(s)
Project Mentor(s)