Development of a Tracking Unit for the Payload Recovery of Sounding Rockets

Abstract

The Bachelor's thesis describes the development of a tracking unit for the payload recovery of sounding rockets. At the beginning, the previous beacon tracking unit is analyzed, and its weak points are defined. The results are used to define the development priorities. The core of the work is the methodical construction of the tracking unit. In the methodical construction different partial solutions are worked out on the basis of the development priorities. With the help of a morphological box, four complete concepts are generated which are then subjected to an evaluation. According to the evaluation, the preferred concept is worked out with the help of the CAD program Autodesk Inventor. After production of the new tracking unit, various tests were performed. Finally, a comparison is made between the previous beacon tracking unit and the new tracking unit. In doing so, functionality, complexity of installation and economic efficiency are taken into account.