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Role: Responsible Engineer, Scope Owner
Duration: September 2024 – May 2025
Objectives: Develop a robust, low-cost, manufacturable, and safe GN2 regulated pressure and LOX fluids system.
Requirements:
- Fill up to 35 lbm of LOX
- Pressurize the LOX tank to 700 psi
- Provide fill/drain GN2 up to 4,350 psi
- Regulate down to 700 psi for pneumatics and pilot pressure
- Provide pneumatic actuation for 3x cryogenic valves
Summary: The LOX feed system includes all fluid systems for the vehicle LOX, vehicle GN2, ground LOX, and ground GN2 systems.
Fluid analysis was performed as apart of the engine model I wrote in Python. Additional 1D convective heat transfer analysis was performed to size the COPV active cooling system, which maintained GN2 fill times below 15 minutes.
Result: The feed system successfully supported several cold flows and a static fire during Spring 2025. It launched under reduced LOX load to 5600′ AGL in June 2025 at the FAR-OUT competition. It was operated as a partial regulated pressure and blowdown system due to ullage collapse at tank pressurization. An improved system is in development with remote LOX fill, a tank pre-press loop, and electronic pressure regulator that I am leading as Rockets lead.
I also wrote a document on our LOX safety procedures: