Flight Mechanics Lab

Flight Mechanics Lab

Flight Mechanics lab is dedicated to Prof. Michele Dicran Sirinian and is devoted to the design, manufacturing and test of scaled models of aerospace vehicles.

Scaled aircraft design and testing

Scaled models are designed, manufactured and able to flight. From the flight data recorded on board (gyros, accelerometers, altimeters, pitot tubes, magnetometers) the aerodynamic properties (stability derivatives) of the vehicles are derived. The following scaled modes are in the lab: i) Dicran aircraft (original design) a 1/5 scaled model of an aircraft able to flight over Mars, ii) Cessna (accurate reproduction of a 1/5 scaled model), iii) C130 J (accurate reproduction of a 1/10 scaled model).

Scaled rocket design and testing

Rocket design, manufacturing and launch is a part of the course “Flight Mechanics of Launch and Reentry Systems”. As a consequence there are many scaled rockets in the ab with apogee capability ranging from 200 to 2000 meters of altitude. All rockets are endowed with navigation and attitude sensors (gyros, pitot tubes, altimeters, accelerometers, magnetic sensors, GPS antenna, microcamera). The rocket propellant is produced on the Lab and tested outdoor (see e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCUPcT8BGYI).

Airlaunch design and testing

Flight test of separation between the C130 J and a 1/10 scaled model of a rocket able to inject a microsatellite in orbit, are performed to test the numerical models of airdrop, parachute extraction and stabilization, and evasion maneuvers.

Cubesat manufacturing, design and testing

Structure and mechanical components of cubesat satellites are produced in the Lab by the available 3D printer and CNC machine. An integration room is available for Cubesat satellites integration (e.g. Tigrisat, launched on 2014). Attitude determination and control subsytems are tested by using a 3x3x3 meter Helmotz cage for the simulation of the Earth magnetic field on space, and an airbearing table to simulate absence of gravity.