Problem

The challenge presented to our team was to design and create a fission brake for NASA's spacecraft. The spacecraft needed to deaccelerate from 22300 m/s to 5430 m/s, which required a highly efficient and effective braking system. The problem was that traditional braking systems were not powerful enough to handle the speeds involved in this mission.

Our team had to think outside the box and come up with an innovative solution that would meet NASA's requirements. We knew that we had to approach the problem from a different perspective if we were going to be successful.

Learn more about our process here.

Solution

We began by analyzing the energy involved in the spacecraft's trajectory and determined that fission was the only viable solution for creating the necessary amount of energy for braking. From there, we developed an iterative design process that allowed us to refine our ideas until we arrived at a final product.

One of our key breakthroughs came when we optimized the pusher plate by reducing its weight from 900 kg to just 27 kg. This made it possible for the robot to lift both the 10N and 20N masses, which was essential for achieving our goal.

Impact

Reduced weight of pusher plate by X%
Achieved successful deacceleration of spacecraft
Won first place for design innovation and effectiveness

"This project had an incredible impact on the field of space exploration and demonstrated the power of innovative thinking and collaboration."

Team

Team Member #1 - Lead Engineer
- Oversaw the development of the fission brake system and led the team in creating an effective solution
- Conducted material analysis to determine optimal design for pusher plate
Team Member #2 - Robotics Engineer
- Built and programmed the robot that was used to lift both masses during testing phase
- Collaborated with lead engineer to optimize design for maximum efficiency and effectiveness

Innovative Fission Brake for NASA Spacecraft