Honors Theses and Capstones
Date Completed
Spring 2026
Abstract
The objective of this project was to research, design, fabricate, and analyze an autonomous apogee modulation air brake system for the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Students for Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) high-powered rocket as competitors in the Friends of Amateur Rocketry – Oxidizers Uninhibited Tournament (FAR-OUT) competition.
This air brake system would be developed with considerations for full autonomy, structural reliability, and repeatable deployment. The design would also be easily integrated into the existing high-powered rocket airframe and mechanically simple to increase reliability and practical functionality. The final design would be evaluated using finite element analysis simulation to predict deformation behavior when under load, computational fluid dynamic simulations to determine design efficiency for increasing overall drag forces on the high-powered rocket, as well as flight stability and air cavitation development, and finally, with experimental wind tunnel testing to analyze coefficient of drag differentiation during air brake deployment.
Document Type
Capstone
First Advisor
Professor James Clemmons
Second Advisor
Professor Ivalyo Nedyalkov
Third Advisor
John Roth
College or School
CEPS
Department or Program
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Recommended Citation
MacLean, Camden J.; Wharton, Matthew; Revis, Nick; and Guido, Colin, "Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) Air Brake Subsystem: High-Altitude Autonomous Apogee Modulator System for High-Powered Rockets (HAAMSHR)" (2026). Honors Theses and Capstones. 949.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/949
Included in
Navigation, Guidance, Control and Dynamics Commons, Other Aerospace Engineering Commons, Space Vehicles Commons, Structures and Materials Commons, Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Commons