By utilizing custom hardware and software, the goal at JRD is to propulsively land a model rocket.
Hi, I’m Aryan Kapoor and I started JRD Propulsion! JRD stands for Junior Research and Development as I am currently a student at Montgomery High School and this project is all about learning as much as I can! After witnessing several model rocket landing attempts on youtube, I wanted to achieve what I saw for myself. Before coming into the project, I had never laid hands on a model rocket and had never coded before. I knew that by undergoing this project, I would learn many of the necessary skills for pursuing engineering and other projects.
HOW IT WORKS
In order to control the rocket during ascent and descent, fins cannot be used as they do not work well during low speeds and cannot stabilize a rocket during the landing phase. Instead of fins, my rockets use thrust vector control which involves gimbling the rocket motor to keep the orientation of the vehicle stable. This is the same approach used by most orbital class rockets.