A load cell is an important component in measuring thrust generated by rocket in rocket technology research and development. It aims to test the rocket thrust in achieving the targeted objectives of the project. A load cell is a transducer that is used to convert a force into electrical signal and it usually consists of four strain gauges assembled in Wheatstone bridge configuration. The strain gauge converts the deformation (strain) to electrical signals. This conversion occurs in two stages. First, the strain gauges on the load cell will detect the deformation of load cell structure (tension or compression) and second, the strain gauge will convert the changes in the load cell in terms of voltage readings. Before the load cell can be used as the thrust sensor in rocket testing, it must undergo a calibration process to determine the relation between Load (kg) and Voltage (V). LabVIEW is used as a platform for data logging interface which is connected to the National Instrument hardware. National Instrument hardware acts as a signal conditioning which allow the voltage readings acquired by load cell to be collected and analyzed by LabVIEW. Each load cell has its own equation that links between force and voltage. The equation is used as a reference to convert the voltage reading to thrust.
Propulsion Technology Program under the National Space Agency (ANGKASA) was commenced in 2009 with an ambition to launch satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using its own independent launch vehicle. Four members of the Space Application and Technology Development (SATD) with various backgrounds have been entrusted to draft roadmap for National Satellite Launcher and at the same time conducting Research and Development (R&D) related to rocketry. The first program was solid rocket development between ANGKASA and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) through budget allocated in Rancangan Malaysia ke-9 (RMK-9). The rockets developed in this project have been successfully launched at eastern coast of peninsula Malaysia in 2010. This achievement needs proper and effective continuation towards enabling Malaysia to be a launch capable nation. Therefore, this paper investigates rocket development programs and activities ran by various countries which could be adopted into national programs in order to spur participation in rocket science and space industries, hence materialise completion of Malaysian own launch vehicle in timely manner. Moreover, this paper will look over obstacles and potencies of rocket development with current Malaysian environment.
This research focuses on the electrical noise coming from the sensor: load cell which is being used in rocket thrust measurement system. The aim is to investigate the noise contained in the measurement data. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is used as an indicator for appropriate cut off frequency in filtering data. Low Pass Filter is used as the measurement of thrust for it produces steady-state signal and acceptable transient response. Results confirmed that there are significant differences for Signal Noise Ratio (SNR) value between filtered and unfiltered data. Data noise has an impact to the true value of the expected results that affects data interpretation. It is shown that the influence of noise on the measurement data has been successfully reduced by the method used.
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