Design Concepts

Whirlaway

Named after the 1941 Triple Crown winner, Whirlaway is a 7ft monument to the skill and diverse education of our engineers. This rocket will attempt to fly at Mach 3, over 2300 mph, and will use the intense G forces to conduct high G research experiments for applications in hypersonic vehicles. We have worked to design the first of it's kind zylon composite material for the airframe, altimeters that can accurately calculate altitude at this speed, student made motor and fuel, and the most aerodynamic rocket body possible in order to accomplish this goal. 

Arcaro

Named after Whirlaway's Jockey in the Triple Crown, Arcaro is the team's first engine build. We have designed it specifically to test experimental cycles and low cost high-temperature materials in liquid rocket engines. Using liquid oxygen and ethanol as our fuel and oxidizer, we aim to create a regeneratively cooled, additively manufactured, expander-cycle 200 lb thrust liquid rocket engine. This engine will be the first liquid rocket engine made by students in the state of Kentucky and we hope to use it to show the skill and dexterity of engineers at UK.