College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-01 13:55:55
Major
Aerospace Systems Engineering
Honors Course
N/A
Number of Credits
3
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
The International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is the premier collegiate high power rocketry competition in the world hosted by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA). The Akronauts Rocket Design team has been competing in IREC since 2015 and have won several awards. The main goal of IREC is to launch a rocket to a specified altitude of 10k, 30k, or 45k ft while carrying a payload and successfully recover with little to no damage.
The control of a typical high-powered rocket is purely passive; the center of pressure of the rocket must be behind the center of gravity with respect to the nosecone in order for it to be inherently stable. Flight simulations can be run to determine an estimated apogee; however, this is not always accurate due to many factors, such as the final assembly and launch day weather conditions. As a result, the rocket can still perform very differently than its simulation. With over 150 teams competing, every foot in altitude closer to the target matters.To achieve this, a mechanical system with canards, for pitch/roll control, and airbrakes, for dynamic drag control, was developed along with live flight telemetry data in a closed loop feedback control system.
Research Sponsor
Manigandan Kannan
First Reader
Guo-Xiang Wang
Second Reader
Yalin Dong
Honors Faculty Advisor
Scott Sawyer
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
No
Recommended Citation
Allen, Henry; Secora, Jason; Williams, Charles; Sanchez, Donavon; and Nedoma, Caleb, "Active Altitude Control for High Powered Rockets" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2156.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2156
Included in
Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Commons, Aeronautical Vehicles Commons, Navigation, Guidance, Control and Dynamics Commons