LURA’s inaugural project: design, build and fly a simple and robust launch vehicle to compete at the 2022 Spaceport America Cup.
The Gryphon I was the first rocket we ever designed. At the time, LURA didn’t have any guaranteed funding or workspace and therefore the design is simple and makes use of cheap and easily accessible materials.
The objective was simple: fly a rocket at the 2022 Spaceport America Cup to show the world what Leeds is capable of.
As it turns out, the execution isn’t so simple. The project required thousands of hours of work from the team as we navigated the design and manufacture of two rockets and the organising of three launch campaigns.
The project surpassed its objectives and solidified LURA as a key player in the UK student rocketry scene.
The experience the team gained, along with the network of contacts we met along the way, have helped with the development of every subsequent technical project.
Having successfully flown twice in two different countries, the Gryphon I now takes pride of place in the foyer of the University of Leeds Mechanical Engineering building.
We hope that it will continue to inspire students to pursue rocketry at university.
Project Timeline
Started Project
Preliminary Design Review
Critical Design Review
Gryphon I-C Test Flight
Gryphon I Test Flight
Gryphon I Spaceport America Cup Flight
The Gryphon I was developed over the course of a year. When the project started, there were only eight of us. By the time it was completed, there were over thirty.
Along the way, the Gryphon I-C was developed to act as a test-bed for our innovative parachute ejection system.
The project concluded with a successful flight at the 2022 Spaceport America Cup.
The Gryphon I's design is simple and inexpensive. The body tubes and coupler are phenolic, and the nose cone and fins are fibreglass. Internally, threaded rods run the length of the rocket and contain a structure of centering rings and plates used to mount various subsystems.
Height:
2.93 m
Diameter:
0.16 m
Total mass:
25 kg
Target apogee:
3,048 m (10,000 ft)
Designed as a test-bed for the Gryphon I's recovery system, the Gryphon I-C (G1-C) is a compact prototype rocket. It maintains the same diameter as the full-scale vehicle, but at a shorter length. The recovery system and avionics are common between both rockets.
Height:
2.33 m
Diameter:
0.16 m
Total mass:
15.5 kg
Target apogee:
~ 821 m (2,700 ft)
Flight History
Gryphon I-C Test Flight
The Gryphon I-C was flown successfully on the 6th March 2022 at the East Anglia Rocketry Society. The rocket reached an apogee of about 2,500 ft and successfully deployed its drogue parachute. The main parachute deployed moments later due to an issue with how it was retained in the rocket body.
The rocket was recovered safely and is ready to be used for more flight testing in the future.
Gryphon I Test Flight
The full-scale Gryphon I flew for the first time just twenty days after the G1-C flight. Launched from the Scottish Aeronautics and Rocketry Association‘s site at Fairlie Moor, the rocket reached an apogee of about 7,000 ft. Design changes made since the Gryphon I-C flight improved the retention of the main parachute, although again it deployed earlier than expected.
Despite this, the rocket was recovered in great condition, ready to fly again.
Spaceport America Cup
In June 2022, seven members of the LURA senior leadersip team made the journey to New Mexico to compete with the Gryphon I at the prestigious Spaceport America Cup.
In addition to a successful flight, the team were selected to present our novel parachute ejection system at the podium session, resulting in a 2nd place Innovation Award.
This flight was a particularly stressful one. Cloudy conditions on the day made it impossible to visually track the rocket. Combined with some issues with our telemetry system, we had no idea whether the parachutes had deployed.
At the last second, recovery team leader, Freya, spots the rocket just above the horizon, making a safe landing with both parachutes inflated.
Watch the action unfold for yourself in the video below.
The Gryphon I was a perfect first project.
Collectively, the team gained a massive amount of experience in every step of the process, from concept to launch, and this experience has helped inform every project we have run since.