Apogee Perigee 

Snigdha Deshmukh | Staff Writer

If you ever wanted to learn more about the inner workings of a rocket’s flight computer, Apogee Perigee was the ideal event for you. The participants had to engineer circuits, simulations and put their coding skills to test in this two-day hackathon. In the first round, participants had to design and simulate an electrical system (using only passive elements like a resistor, capacitor, etc.) that functions the same as an ignition system using the Proteus software. Participants depicted the launch of the rocket using a bulb or fuse. Judges evaluated this round based on the efficiency and practicality of the circuit. These details include whether the fuse/bulb turns on when the switches are on in the right sequential order. Since the event was online, the participants also had to submit a video of the functioning circuit, a report of maximum 200 words explaining the logic of the system designed and the Proteus design file. 

For the second round of this Hackathon, they had the task of writing a code in C/C++ to find the highest point in a rocket trajectory called the apogee and submit a report summarising the algorithm used.

“It’s our first time since this is a new category. Since the event is online, it made it difficult to have an outstanding turnout. The low turnout was also due to the inefficient publicity capabilities on social media platforms, which can only be countered only by having redundant post and hoping for participation next year.

We got only one answer set at the end of the first day, so we extended the deadline of submission till the next day, but it didn’t make much of a difference. In the end, we got only one entry that too from the same person. Their work was perfect though so we decided to give the team a prize. As the number of initial registration and final turnout were incomparable, we have rolled out a feedback form. We hope to have a better event next time considering the proceedings will be on campus. ” remarked Priyank Agarwal, the event head.

Launch Out

Ramya Nadig | Staff Writer

Launch Out consisted of 2 rounds-on quiz round and one interview round. It was a team event whereon participants were supposed to answer various aptitude questions as well as general knowledge regarding rockets. Along with testing the technical details, the test held a bonus question to consider the financial and marketing aspect involved in a rocket design project. The teams who respond to the quiz well go into the second round, wherein they underwent an interview. In the interview, each group was to roleplay as a company that worked in the rocket building industry discussing factors more than just aerospace technicalities, including funding and as to how confidently they were able to express their idea.

Parameter testing of final rocket design

In the second round, participants, while deciding how to build their rocket had to keep a few factors in mind, such as materials and various mechanisms.  Teams had to use a virtual currency to acquire parts and had to know how to budget their given design. To help aid them in choosing the right materials and dimensions for their rocket, a handbook was provided two each team consisting of all the details required. They were given three hours to come up with a solution and explain to the judges in a written Google form format. With challenging rounds that required smarts and innovation, participants took to tasks with determination and confidence.