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Notre Dame ACS USLI

Active Control System (ACS) work for Notre Dame’s NASA University Student Launch Initiative vehicle — carbon fiber drag flaps, CAD-to-built hardware, in-flight flap actuation, and CFD pressure analysis.

The ’24 USLI Championship vehicle finished within 5 ft of prediction.

  • USLI
  • ACS
  • CAD
  • CFD
  • Carbon fiber
Onboard photo of ACS flaps fully actuated in flight
In-flight ACS flap actuation
Side-by-side CAD model and constructed integrated ACS assembly
Integrated ACS — CAD vs. as built
ACS slotted deck assembly on a workbench
ACS slotted deck assembly
CAD drawing and constructed ACS slotted deck side by side
Slotted deck — CAD vs. as built
CAD drawing and machined ACS central hub with mounting screws
Central hub — CAD vs. as built
CAD drawing and machined ACS linkage bar on graph paper
Linkage — CAD vs. as built
CAD drawing and machined ACS flap pusher arm on graph paper
Flap pusher arm — CAD vs. as built
CAD drawing and constructed ACS flap lever arms
Flap lever arms — CAD vs. as built
CAD drawing and carbon fiber ACS drag flap on graph paper
Drag flap — CAD vs. as built
CAD drawing and machined ACS fore bulkhead hinge on graph paper
Fore bulkhead hinge — CAD vs. as built
CAD of ACS radially actuated tab mechanism with four tan tabs
Radially actuated tab mechanism
CAD of ACS linearly actuated flap mechanism retracted and extended
Linearly actuated flap mechanism
CAD of ACS leadscrew-actuated flap mechanism
Leadscrew-actuated flap mechanism
CFD pressure contour on rocket body and ACS flaps
CFD pressure on ACS flaps