Knights Experimental Rocketry

Knights Experimental Rocketry (KXR) is a Registered Student Organization at the University of Central Florida that designs and builds experimental airframes, propulsion systems, recovery systems, telemetry, and payloads for collegiate rocketry competitions. Our mission is to cultivate a passion for science, technology, and space exploration while developing both technical and leadership skills that prepare students for their professional careers.

We have found that rocketry provides an excellent platform for students to discover their full potential by challenging them with intimidating projects and leadership experiences. Students will grow their confidence by accomplishing what they have previously thought was impossible.

This one minute promotional video gives a quick recap to the amazing projects KXR was able to work on and accomplish within 2023.

Within KXR, our Launch and Test Infrastructure (LTI) project serves as the foundational element for new development within the organization's endeavors. Serving as the pivotal backbone for various initiatives, LTI plays a crucial role in supporting other projects through successfully conducting static fire tests and launch operations. Its significance resonates in the realm of high-altitude capable avionics, exemplifying its versatility.

Our commitment to excellence is paramount as we collaborate harmoniously with our affiliated teams in key KXR projects, including Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR), NASA Student Launch (NSL), and the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC). LTI not only propels our mission forward, but also showcases our dedication to creating a collaborative environment. We are thrilled to cultivate an atmosphere that beckons students to join and immerse themselves in the exhilarating world of rocketry. Through this, we not only offer exciting opportunities for hands-on learning, but also pave the way for exploration and growth.

We have two initiatives within LTI that depend significantly on PCBs: Avionics and Ground Support Equipment.

Our Avionics department is in charge of all vehicle mounted electronics and supplying power and sensor data to the payloads team. This is accomplished through our custom PCB referred to as the Avionics Service System, commonly referred to as the flight computer. This board is centered around an STM32 microcontroller and contains the necessary integrated circuits for gathering real-time data throughout the rocket’s flight.

Our Avionics System stands out for its accuracy and backup features. The sensor suite comprises the following components: BMP390L and LPS22HB, which measure barometric pressure, and ICM20948 and BNO085, which are 9-axis motion trackers providing detailed information about the rocket’s movement throughout its journey. These components are redundant, ensuring the reliability of our system and making it more dependable. To ensure comprehensive tracking capabilities, the flight computer also integrates the ZOE M8G GPS receiver module, guaranteeing precise location data throughout the rocket’s trajectory.

Additionally, the rocket houses a propulsion control board. This will be a shield board on the main flight computer and hosts the AD7124 analog-to-digital converter. This board serves as our data acquisition (DAQ) interface, rockets propulsion system and sensors during launch operations

Our Ground Support Equipment (GSE) department focuses on two main computing systems: Cosmo, positioned at a distance from the rocket and serving as the front-end interface, and Wanda, positioned closer to the rocket and hosting our DAQ system for both static fires and launches.

Our dynamic front-end interface, Cosmo, includes a the support of PCBWay. The systems developed by LTI are necessary for the success of our associated teams. We face difficulties sourcing and producing parts with our allocated budget and timeline. The transformative support would enable us to create the best systems for accurate data collection and robust power systems for our high-altitude rocketry missions. We want to grow the knowledge and skills of every member involved within our organization. We are excited to have the opportunity to gain the support of PCBWay and continue this mission.