Challenge Based Trainning has been used to introduce engineering students to the engineering world. On this particular situation, engineering students had the chance to apply the knowledge acquired at school to design, and build, a liquid propellant rocket engine.

1. LIQUID ROCKET DESIGN
CHALENGE BASED TRAINING
Author/Company/Organization:
Rene Nardi Rezende and Vladia Perez.
Inotech Ltd ,Sao Jose dos Campos,SP, 12242-460, Brazil
Amilcar Pimenta
Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronáutica, Sao Jose dos Campos,SP, 12.228-900, Brazil
49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference (JPC), 14-17, July 2013, San Jose, California

2. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
SUMMARY
 This is the story of a volunteer-based program,
that used rocket propulsion system
development as a tool to introduce students
to the engineering world;
This presentation describes how it all started
and developed over the years, the challenges
faced and the solutions found to keep the
organization alive and doing what it was
designed for.
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3. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
INTRODUCTION
The idea came from an article describing countries
with similar educational level, but with large
differences in technological capabilities.
Example: Chile and South Korea.
 That difference resulted from the quality of the
opportunities given to students to apply, on their
professional life, the knowledge acquired at school.
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4. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
METHODOLOGY
Challenge Based Training:
Difficult enough to call the students attention,
and,
Feasible, in order to keep them interested in
accomplishing the mission.
Liquid rocket engine based propulsion system
would meet these requirements. 4

5. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
HOW TO MOTIVATE THE PARTICIPANTS
Create a stimulant and enthusiastic environment;
Highlight the application of the students
background knowledge;
Establish specific targets to be met;
Match the program schedule to the students timing;
Create a legacy for the next group.
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6. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
In the beginning - Team # 1, at UFMG
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Team Assignment: 1 kN engine
From design to manufacturing.
RE-100 engine

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LIQUID ROCKET ENGINE
DESIGN HANDBOOK.
A not-for-profit organization
A text book
A name and a logo
LESSONS LEARNED

9. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
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“Rumo ao Espaço” at UniVap
The 2 kN engine details

10. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
LESSONS LEARNED
Winning team characteristics
Ability to nominate a leader;
Team work skills and ability to share
knowledge;
Committed to success;
Time devoted to the Program;
Drafting skills, hand made drafts;
Computer literacy: spreadsheet, 3D drawing.
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One more team, from UFMG

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Team Assignment: the 5 kN engine

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LESSONS LEARNED
Cash is king: as the quantity and complexity of
the project increases, the need for funding
follows suit;
Ground testing: finding a suitable location to
test the products was not completely successful;
Symposiums: an opportunity for the students to
share their recently acquired skills with their
peers.
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The propellant test
bench team - SENAI
The engine test bench
team – PUCMG

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Propellant injector test bench
Internal details

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PROPELLANT
INJECTOR AT WORK
Fuel
Oxidant
Both

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The Symposiuns
Next one
to take
place in
November
28-29th ,
2013

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Here we go again - UFMG

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THE 1 kN HYPERGOLIC ENGINE FOR THE “SARA” VEHICLE
Sara Suborbital Platform

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LESSONS LEARNED
A real life application help increasing the morale
of the team;
Its nice to work with funding available before the
program starts.
As the news spreads among the students, there
are new universities interested in joining the
Program.
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21. A NEW APPROACH TO PROPULSION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, BRAZILIAN STYLE
WHAT’S NEXT ?
This program has grown beyond any expectation,
and its expansion is currently being limited by our
ability to manage it.
The time has come to build a flight vehicle;
Tests benches are desperately needed ;
We have yet to explore the world of propellant
tanks, valves and flight control computers;
Our crystal ball shows a 20 kN engine in the future.
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CONCLUSION
We would like to go even further
with our Challenge Based Training,
aiming for space, or as we say in
Portuguese, “Rumo ao Espaço”.
Thanks / Obrigado
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