wax fuel grain casting
MIT Media Lab, Space Enabled Research Group
september 2020 - june 2022
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Through my last two years of MIT, I worked as an undergraduate researcher at the Space Enabled Research group in the MIT Media Lab, under my PI Dr. Danielle Wood. Our project investigated the propulsive capabilities of paraffin wax as rocket fuel, and more specifically, how to cast annular wax fuel grains in microgravity environments. Paraffin wax is a historically promising and relatively more sustainable rocket fuel; Since many CubeSats use already use wax insulation for their electronics, our research presents an opportunity to reuse that insulation, cast it into a fuel grain, and use it for deorbit maneuvers to potentially remove space debris.
Figure 1: ISS Experimental Setup
As I joined the project from the beginning, I worked on every aspect of our experimental casting setup. I researched motors, put together the electronics system, and wrote the code and PID feedback control for the casting process. I assembled and soldered the PCBs and tested the board with the controller. And I fabricated the casting cylinder and put together the full assembly.
While I was working with my two fellow researchers, I truly felt I had ownership over this research, an important experiment that could dictate the future of small satellite propulsion! Our full experimental setup flew in a microgravity parabolic flight and also was tested for a month on the ISS. Figure 1 shows the hardware we sent up for the ISS experiment.
Figure 2: Annulus Wax Casting
Figure 3: Microgravity Experimental Setup
Publications
Publications
“Design and Analysis for Centrifugal Casting of Wax on Suborbital and Orbital Platforms,” IAF Microgravity Sciences and Processes Symposium, October 2021. iafastro.directory/iac/paper/id/65373/abstract-pdf/IAC-21,A2,3,1,x65373.brief.pdf
“Optical and Thermochemical Analysis for Paraffin and Beeswax Centrifugal Casting,” AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, August 2021. dam-prod.media.mit.edu/x/2021/07/28/StoberAIAA2021.pdf
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