A large part of ÆSIR’s primary mission is not only to develop the skills of its members and provide them with experience valuable to their future careers, but establish the kind of knowledge base necessary to regularly work on front–line technologies. Pushing the boundaries of what is possible as a student organization is our bread and butter.
Project Eitr is an exemplary instance of this mission being fulfilled. This last fall, with the help of Astronomisk Ungdom, the Association for Engineering Students in Rocketry at KTH managed to join the elite ranks of those few student rocketry teams who have successfully designed, built, and tested a liquid bi–propellant rocket motor.
After numerous component tests, design revisions, and cold tests, three hot tests were conducted with the goal of lighting and sustaining combustion and thrust. Two of these tests were successful — with the final test resulting in a rapid unscheduled disassembly of the motor. This R.U.D. resulted in no injuries or significant risk thereof, thanks to a meticulous application of safety protocols.
With the tests deemed successful, the motor in a million pieces, and a number of key project members moving on from active engagement in the association, it was determined that the project would be laid to rest. Those lessons learned from this project were documented and passed on to other projects and individuals within the association, in the hopes of one day returning to the liquid bi–propellant architecture.
/ Erik Eklof, ÆSIR
