ASAP

The ASAP subteam, as the name suggests, is centered around three very important pillars of rocket design that are crucial to the team's success. The aerodynamics of each vehicle is constructed and analyzed through softwares such as OpenRocket and Ansys to ensure the maximum level of performance can be extracted from each design. Before manufacturing begins, an in-depth structural analysis of each component is conducted using SolidWorks stress analysis tools and known material properties of each possible material selection for the vehicle. The appropriate propulsion must also be carefully selected in order to ensure that the motor being used is one that is most compatible with the overall vehicle design and desired performance outcome. 

The ASAP subteam is responsible for the original conception of the vehicle's design based on given flight parameters. This design originates on a rocket flight simulation software known as OpenRocket, where the visualized design can be created and fine tuned into a stable flight vehicle. Accurate flight simulations can also be conducted to give a projected performance for the vehicle, so that the team knows what changed need to be made to the design, if any. 

Following the creation of an adequate OpenRocket model of the design, the vehicle can then be constructed in SolidWorks CAD software to provide a better understanding of how the components would interface together in real life. Preliminary materials can then be chosen for the completed CAD models so that the ASAP subteam can then perform multiple levels of stress analysis on the components. This is done to ensure that they can withstand all possible flight forces, using real world material data as a comparison.

From the very start of the design, one of the ASAP subteam's main priorities is selecting the proper motor to be used in the final design of the vehicle. Variables such as cost, availability, maximum thrust, and burn time are all factors that must be considered. The specifications of the motor being used are equally as important as the overall rocket design, because a perfect compatibility between the two is needed in order to achieve the highest levels of performance. 

The current workday time for the ASAP subteam is on Thursdays in the Aero Mavericks lab from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.