Project SHAGEE
(2023-2024)
Embedded Files
SHAGEE was MASA-Dearborn’s second rocket to compete in the 30,000ft commercial off-the-shelf category at the Spaceport America Cup. This was a single staged rocket equipped with a payload experiment, and airbrakes to slow the craft down to achieve a precise apogee. The rocket was designed to fly with a Cesaroni N5800 C-Star rocket motor, and had a predicted top speed of 1408 mph in under 3.5 seconds.
SHAGEE was MASA-Dearborn’s second rocket to compete in the 30,000ft commercial off-the-shelf category at the Spaceport America Cup. This was a single staged rocket equipped with a payload experiment, and airbrakes to slow the craft down to achieve a precise apogee. The rocket was designed to fly with a Cesaroni N5800 C-Star rocket motor, and had a predicted top speed of 1408 mph in under 3.5 seconds.
Vehicle Specifications and Flight Predictions
Vehicle Specifications and Flight Predictions
Airframe Length: 9' 7"
Airframe Diameter: 5"
Max Velocity: 1408 mph
Max Acceleration: 23.8 G
Rocket Motor: Cesaroni N5800 C-Star
Total Mass: 74 lbs 10 oz
Airbrakes
Airbrakes
Payload
Payload
Launch History
Launch History
Competition Launch
Competition Launch
SHAGEE was launched at Spaceport America in New Mexico in June 2024. The rocket achieved a top speed of 1341 mph, at which point it experienced an anomoly near the rockets nosecone causing it to ultimately breakup. Before leaving New Mexico, the team was able to successfully recover the top half of the rocket.
Invaluable lessons were learned from this flight that will be implemented on future rockets meant to fly to 30,000 ft. These lessons include the necessity of strengthening the nosecone with composite materials like carbon fiber and additional fiberglass, along with the importance of extensive material tests and simulations.
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