FRONT ELEVATION
SCALE 1:1TVC LANDING ROCKET TEST STAND
INSTRUMENTED STRUCTURAL TEST STAND · LOAD‑PATH MODEL
Instrumented structural test stand and load‑path model for a thrust‑vector‑controlled landing rocket. Built as Structures Team Lead at Stanford Student Space Initiative to qualify the airframe before flight.
PROBLEM / APPROACH / OUTCOME
SCALE 2:1PROBLEM. A thrust‑vector‑controlled landing rocket sees combined axial and side loads through the gimbal mount. Before flight, we needed to characterize those load paths and qualify the airframe to a known margin without breaking it.
APPROACH. Designed an instrumented test stand that reacts measured axial loads through the rocket's primary structure. CAD in Fusion 360 with an FEA load‑path model to predict stress concentrations and validate against stand readings. Drove the geometry toward easier machining and assembly between iterations.
OUTCOME. Achieved a factor of safety of 1.7 at 10 kN axial load. Prior iteration was harder to manufacture; the final design improved both margins and shop time.
SPECIFICATIONS
SCALE 4:1- ROLE
- Structures Team Lead, Stanford Student Space Initiative
- DURATION
- Sep 2024 – Jun 2025 (10 months)
- DESIGN LOAD
- 10 kN axial
- FACTOR OF SAFETY
- 1.7 at design load
- METHOD
- Instrumented test stand + FEA load‑path model
- TOOLS
- Autodesk Fusion 360, FEA, machining‑informed iteration
- VEHICLE
- Thrust‑vector‑controlled landing rocket
REFERENCES
SCALE 8:1- TEAM
- ssi.stanford.edu
- BACK
- SHEET 1 / INDEX
| REV | DATE | DESCRIPTION | BY |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | 2026-05-08 | INITIAL RELEASE | CC |