CE-M.A.R.C

Project description: Project CE-M.A.R.C. (Modular Autonomous Recovery Capsule) is a student lead research project aiming to deliver a recovery option for UMBRA launch vehicles. The recovery capsule consists of a custom avionics and control program to guide a rocket back to a designated landing zone. To do this, the capsule manipulates a parafoil to change its glide trajectory. This parafoil will be designed and manufactured by the team, after rigorous CFD analysis to verify that the parafoil can meet mission objectives. The team is currently testing a sub-scale model of the capsule to verify the developed avionics and actuation methods with a modified off-the-shelf parafoil. All current drop tests are done at small heights; off the top floor of the CLA building. Once the rudimentary drop tests are done, the team plans on dropping from bigger heights, collaborating with drone teams on campus to conduct drop tests with said drones. Our end goal is to see the system successfully recover a L1 sized rocket. From there we hope to integrate with Exo Bronco and aid with their project efforts.