Mobile Launch Platform

Posted on Monday, March 28th, 2022

Client	Launch Canada & Space Simulation Services of Canada
Professor(s)	Bijan Borzu, Brian Gray
Program	Mechanical Engineering Technology
Students	Terry Bidgood Alex Burke Declan Rothwell

Project Description:

A mobile launch platform was designed on the basis of functionality, durability, strength, and reliability in order to create a standardized and integrated launch platform to be used by competitors in the Launch Canada competitions.

Currently, the design process for each team consists of building the mechanical and structural components of the rocket, as well as designing and building a launch platform. Due to the competition being judged on the rocket, and not the launch platform, teams see failure in there launch as a result of a poorly constructed launch platform. This issue has been discussed extensively with Launch Canada and Space Simulation Services of Canada. There are multiple issues with the current designs of launch platforms: they are not easily transported, assembled, and erected.

Overall, many launch platforms are poorly designed lacking rigidity, durability, and functionality. There are instances where teams transport there rockets as sub-assemblies to the launch site. An all-too-common occurrence is for teams to be plagued by technical issues at the launch site, related to issues regarding final assembly at the site and not having a platform available to the team to transport a fully assembled rocket.

The Launch Canada launch platform must adhere to these requirements:
-Launch Arm must be 32 in off the ground.
-Launch Arm must be able to pivot from 0 – 90 degrees.
-Launch Platform, Arm and Rail must be able to support a maximum load of 1000 lbs.
-Launch Rail and Arm that are 10 feet in length.
-Launch Platform must be able to withstand temperatures from -160 to 3,000 degrees Celsius.
-Launch Platform must be compactable to be stored in a 20-foot standard ISO container.
-Launch Platform must provide a stable and rigid during launch with less than 2 in of deflection in the X and Y directions.
-Integrated tie down points to secure rocket to launch arm.
-Launch Platform must have an integrated indicator to show the orientation of Launch rail
-Launch Platform must be integrated into a trailer. Trailer should have all standard safety feature and be able to be pulled with a standard 2in hitch ball.

Short Description:

A functional, integrated and reusable mobile rocket launch platform capable of launching various sized rockets used in the Launch Canada University Launch Challenges.

Contact the Team