After the busy year of 2021-2022, LéoFly has reached its goal: Polaris and 2piR have been validated, launched, and have each made a nominal flight during the C’Space 2022 competition, a total success for the aeronautics student club of Devinci Higher Education.
From July 16 to 23, 2022, nearly 200 students set out to conquer space during the 59th edition of C’Space organized, as is tradition, on the Ger military camp of the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment, near Tarbes in the Pyrenees. As every year, several student-engineers members of LéoFly met on the Ger base for a new launch campaign organized by the CNES. The opportunity to implement student projects in engineering school, from design to implementation, by embarking on new scientific experiments each year. This year, it was Polaris and 2piR’s turn to do their best in the launching area.
The students at the forefront of the 2022 adventure: Alexandra SLAMA (class of 2023), Maxime MERLIN (class of 2024) , Corentin CHATIN (class of 2023), Thomas CHATIN (class of 2023), Raphael DEMARE (class of 2025), Thomas DEVEZE (class of 2024), Aurélie MARTIN (class of 2024), Pierre DEBAISIEUX (class of 2022), Pierre HECKLY-LEYDIER (class of 2022).
ESILV space projects present at C’Space 2022
Two student projects were able to take flight during C’Space 2022 thanks to the involvement of LéoFly members in completing all the technical steps required to qualify the rockets: Polaris, a mini rocket called “umbrella” and 2piR, an experimental rocket even more ambitious than those of previous years.
The “Polaris” project
- Type of rocket: Mini rocket
- Height: 1.2 m
- Mass: 1.9 kg
- Propellant : Pro24-6G
- Apogee: 191 m reached in 6.4 sec
- Maximum speed : 60 m/s
Polaris is a so-called “umbrella” rocket. Indeed, at the time of the descent, its body opens into 4 deployable blades which carry a parachute fabric in the shape of an umbrella. Many parameters (like the center of mass of the rocket, stability, and speed) must be taken into account because this type of experiment can make the rocket unstable and more sensitive to air friction.
The “2piR” project
- Type of rocket: Experimental rocket
- Height: 2,03 m
- Mass: 6,05 kg
- Propellant: Pro54-5G
- Apogee: 1457 m reached in 16,2 sec
- Maximum speed: 209 m/s
Experiment: the 2piR experimental rocket embeds a roll control system (rotation around the rocket axis). The student teams also added a set of two adjustable canards (small wings) to the rocket, to better control the airflow.
Between resourcefulness and solidarity: C’Space, a captivating experience
Always a captivating experience, C’Space 2022 once again had its share of surprises, and involved several of the school’s student ambassadors, some of them as volunteers. “The Polaris mini-rocket was saved by wooden spoons! “, says Alexandre, co-president of LéoFly. They attached 4 spoons to the parachute fabric to stiffen the contact surface.
Several LeoFly members and volunteers went to the rocket launch area in the middle of the night to help the security teams. Indeed, the wind and rain had blown away tents and equipment. They had to be put under cover until the next day.
One of LeoFly’s members is part of the team of volunteers who organize C’Space and qualify the rockets. Through their involvement with C’Space, LeoFly members have been able to help different teams by providing tools and helping them qualify their rockets.
These members have also helped volunteers on different occasions, such as tidying up the launch area or transporting rockets for CNES. “The spirit of mutual aid is omnipresent at C’Space, and LeoFly proved it well.“Putting theory into practice in engineering school, while challenging the project pedagogy and developing students’ soft skills. A complete learning experience.
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