Revolutionizing Student Rocketry: Ignite’s Simulation Journey to Optimize Rocket Design and Performance
Ignite is a student-led rocket organization at The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) in Tromsø. Founded in 2023, Ignite was born out of the ambition to create hands-on opportunities for students passionate about aerospace engineering. By designing, producing, and launching rockets, the organization fosters technical expertise and teamwork among its members. Ignite’s mission is to push the boundaries of student-led aerospace initiatives in Norway.
With a specific interest in space technology, Ignite set out to address the lack of practical, real-world projects available for students in the region. The team recognized that designing rockets would not only be an exciting task but also a challenging project that required a multidisciplinary approach. From aerodynamics to material science and simulation, Ignite’s projects serve as a training ground for students aspiring to excel in engineering and technology fields.
The Challenge
Rocketry presents a unique set of challenges, from managing complex fluid dynamics and extreme structural loads to ensuring safety and performance under unpredictable launch conditions. With minimal room for error, Ignite needed to ensure the stability and reliability of their rocket designs through precise simulations. Addressing these engineering hurdles was vital not only for their projects but also for advancing rocketry knowledge within the student community.
One of the most significant hurdles for Ignite was working with limited resources while striving to achieve professional-level precision in their designs. Unlike large aerospace companies, Ignite did not have access to extensive funding or testing facilities. This limitation made the use of simulation tools indispensable, as they allowed the team to test and refine their designs virtually, saving time and money.
Why Simulation?
Ignite turned to Ansys Fluent and Ansys Structural to simulate worst-case scenarios involving aerodynamics and structural integrity. These tools provided the team with the ability to visualize, analyze, and optimize rocket designs in a controlled virtual environment. By identifying and resolving potential design issues early in the development process, Ignite significantly reduced both costs and timelines. This approach enabled them to refine their designs with confidence before moving to production.
Simulation offered Ignite the opportunity to explore “what if” scenarios, testing how their rockets would perform under various conditions, including high wind speeds, turbulence, and extreme temperatures. By leveraging Ansys’ advanced capabilities, the team was able to push the boundaries of their designs and ensure that their rockets met stringent performance and safety standards.
Success Criteria and Integration
The primary success criteria for Ignite were ease of use, reliable results, and the ability to visualize complex fluid dynamics and stress distributions. Ansys provided detailed outputs, including color contour plots and mesh visualizations, which allowed the team to make informed decisions. Additionally, results from Ansys simulations were validated against data from OpenRocket, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Cross section of BOIs
Integration with other tools was also a key factor. The team’s ability to cross-validate Ansys results with OpenRocket data added an extra layer of confidence in their designs. This seamless integration of tools allowed Ignite to refine their models iteratively and ensure that all aspects of their rockets, from aerodynamics to structural integrity, were optimized for peak performance.
Ignite’s Expertise and Growth
Ignite’s expertise lies in their innovative approach to solving aerospace challenges using advanced simulation tools. By incorporating Ansys into their workflow, the team accelerated their design process and gained invaluable technical skills. These tools enabled Ignite to iterate faster, optimize designs, and develop a robust understanding of high-level simulation techniques.
Over the course of their projects, Ignite has developed a reputation for tackling complex engineering problems with creativity and precision. The team’s commitment to excellence was evident in their approach to the 2024 European Rocketry Challenge, where they utilized Ansys simulations to refine their designs and ensure a successful launch.
Solution Implementation
The team conducted iterative simulations to test various rocket configurations, adjusting parameters such as inflation proportions, mesh resolution, and boundary-layer characteristics. By systematically analyzing results and refining their models, Ignite optimized their designs to withstand turbulence and achieve desired flight performance. Ansys’ ability to finely tune mesh settings and visualize flow fields was instrumental in achieving these outcomes.
For example, the team used Ansys Fluent to simulate aerodynamic forces acting on the rocket during ascent. This allowed them to identify areas of high stress and turbulence, which were then addressed through design modifications. Similarly, Ansys Structural was used to evaluate the rocket’s structural integrity under extreme conditions, such as high-speed flight and rapid acceleration.
Mesh in the fin area also showing the inflation layers
The Ansys Advantage
Ansys provided several critical features, including:
- Advanced mesh control: precise tuning of mesh settings allowed accurate representation of boundary-layer behavior and turbulence characteristics.
- Visualization tools: color maps and flow fields enabled clear interpretation and communication of findings.
- Reliable Results: The software’s robust simulation capabilities ensured realistic and dependable outputs.
These features not only enhanced the team’s technical capabilities but also enabled them to communicate their findings effectively to stakeholders and collaborators. The ability to produce detailed visualizations and reports was particularly valuable in showcasing the team’s work at competitions and events.
Impact and Results
Ignite’s use of Ansys significantly streamlined their development process, allowing them to:
- Save time: reduced the number of physical prototypes and test launches, accelerating the design phase.
- Cut costs: minimized expenses related to materials, equipment, and travel.
- Enhance performance: optimized rocket stability and flight performance through detailed analyses.
Scaled residuals for 500 iterations.
These efficiencies contributed to Ignite’s outstanding performance at the 2024 European Rocketry Challenge, where they earned 2nd place in flight performance as first-time participants. This achievement not only highlighted the team’s technical expertise but also demonstrated the transformative impact of simulation technology.
Simulation played a pivotal role in helping Ignite meet their engineering and organizational goals. By enabling virtual testing and refinement of rocket designs, Ansys empowered the team to allocate resources effectively, meet tight deadlines, and minimize risks. This strategic use of simulation technology has positioned Ignite as a leader among student aerospace initiatives, showcasing the transformative power of tools like Ansys in achieving ambitious goals.
Looking ahead, Ignite plans to continue leveraging Ansys to push the boundaries of student-led aerospace projects. The team is exploring new design concepts and performance enhancements, with the ultimate goal of inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Key Benefits
- Time savings: significant reduction in physical testing phases.
- Cost efficiency: lowered development costs by preemptively resolving design issues.
- Enhanced expertise: advanced technical capabilities developed through hands-on simulation work.
- Improved performance: optimized designs leading to successful competition outcomes.
Through their collaboration with EDRMedeso and Ansys, Ignite has demonstrated that the team can achieve remarkable results with the right tools and a commitment to excellence, driving innovation and success in the aerospace industry.
