Self-pressurising rocket engine test rig

I designed and built a modular self-pressurising propellant test rig within three weeks for customer testing of a small spacecraft engine. The system reproduced the functional architecture upstream of the engine, using independently heated and instrumented nitrous oxide and propylene pressure vessels to control self-pressurisation and propellant delivery.

• Took the project independently from initial concept and requirements through design, procurement, assembly and commissioning to customer operation.
• Created the detailed CAD design using SolidWorks for a modular aluminium-extrusion structure adaptable to future engine configurations.
• Designed and assembled the twin-propellant plumbing system, incorporating filling, venting and isolation valves, pressure instrumentation and an auxiliary pressurisation line.
• Integrated the heater-control electronics and temperature-measurement system, enabling vessel pressure to be controlled through propellant temperature.
• Integrated continuous propellant-mass measurement to monitor the quantity remaining within each vessel during operation.
• Specified and sourced all mechanical, fluid and electrical components.
• Successfully delivered the rig within the three-week deadline, and it was successfully used for the customer’s engine test campaign.