Blue Reaper

2022-2023

BLUE REAPER (2022-2023)

Blue Reaper was designed and built by Duke AERO over the course of the 2021-22 academic year. The rocket is designed to compete in the Spaceport America Cup 10,000 ft. COTS propulsion category. The goal of Blue Reaper is to reach an apogee of 10,000 ft AGL, while allowing for a 3U CubeSat to be ejected and recovered on decent. This rocket also features Duke AERO’s first air brake system which will deploy petals as needed to slow the Blue Reaper’s accent after burn out and accurately reach the target apogee. Blue Reaper utilizes a Aerotech M2500T-P motor. For the first time the carbon fiber and fiberglass airframe was made in-house using prepreg composites. Another new material innovation in Blue Reaper is forged carbon fiber which uses bulk molding compound (BMC) to retain strength while decreasing weight. The internal structural components and nose cone tip are also manufactured in-house from 6061 aluminum.