1 ASU Satellite Laboratory Fuselage Design Presenter: Eric Chen

2 Fuselage Overview Fuselage Design –Lessons Learned Aerodynamics Wing Attachment Electronics –Thermal Design Construction Fabrication

3 Fuselage Design Design Objectives Housing Electronics –Easy access to electronics –Size and Shape Low Drag Minimal Weight Structural Support for Wing –Cut-out section on top of fuselage –Attachment of Wing

4 Fuselage Design Past Lessons Learned –Fuselage must resist impact from landing Previous launches have broken electrical components - Temperature Considerations –Operation Ranges of the Electronics

5 Aerodynamics Design for Low Drag –Long slender body - reduced form drag –Nose Cone – gradual increase in diameter Design for Stability –Wing set into the top of the Fuselage to help roll stability

6 Fuselage – Wing Attachment Aluminum Rib Structure –Pros Structurally Sound Mounting Platform for Wings –Cons Difficult to Fabricate Heavier Takes up room in fuselage

7 Fuselage – Housing Electronics Foam core to hold electronics in place Accessibility of electronics through the opening in the fuselage Placement of electronics with respect to position of center of gravity Camera Radio BatteryBoard GPS

8 Fuselage – Housing Electronics Center of Gravity Placement –Lateral –Longitudinal –Moving the electronic components to manipulate C.G. –Wing Placement will also effect C.G.

9 Electronics – Thermal Placement Most of the electronics will not work below K 30,000 ft = K Place Electronics to maximize thermal output –Radio and Battery pack produce a lot of heat –Place these by Motherboard and Camera to keep them warm Use Foam to help Insulate

10 Fuselage Construction Design Material –Medium Dense Fiberboard - (MDF) Male mold of Fuselage Design –Molding Mediums Plastic Vacuum Molding

11 Fuselage Construction Why male Molds? –Consistent Reproducibility –Very Smooth External Surfaces –Two halves are easy to join and allow for access to electronics –Allows for the placement of joining points

12 Fuselage - Fabrication Lay Fiberglass/Carbon Composite on molds Use Vacuum Bagging Strengthens Fiber/Epoxy Matrix by eliminating air bubbles

13 Overview Fuselage Design will optimize: –Aerodynamic Performance Minimize Drag –Electronics Housing Thermal Design –Structural Integrity Wing Attachment Impact Resistant Minimize Weight