Aerospace project for a beginner

[justPAB]

Hi guy, I'm interested on working on a new project. Something small, with some design, for a beginner. I'm majoring in Aerospace Engineering and I want some "solo" experience and I don't know where to start. I like rockets, and space craft. I enjoy aircraft, but I'm more intrigued by out of Earth flight. Any ideas on what I could start working on? I mean, I'm not sure if I want to work on a " spacecraft " or start thinking of a propulsion system for a spacecraft . Any ideas are welcome, but again, I'm just starting my major, I'm getting into the math and physics now, I still need more courses to take before I actually start my "major" concentration.

Thanks a bunch! Hope to hear from your all! :)

 

[physixlover]

Did you try on aerostructures and airframes, some ideas-stress analysis.etc

 

[justPAB]

I've been looking at different nozzle designs and would like to make one from scratch, at least a small one, but I'm not so sure yet. I also like aerodynamics, but I'm undecided and really don't know what materials I need to start on a small project alone.

 

[physixlover]

I've been looking at different nozzle designs and would like to make one from scratch, at least a small one, but I'm not so sure yet. I also like aerodynamics, but I'm undecided and really don't know what materials I need to start on a small project alone.

That's good, with nozzle designs your can estimate the fluid(Gases) flows out from the nozzle, velocities of the exhaust flow for different nozzle section and some designs on the thrust reversers as well at different nozzle section and how can thrust reversers be arranged with the appropriate nozzles.The behaviour of some components like -vibrations on particular components and so on.
you can include calcluatinng some quantities like reynolds number, temperature at the exhaust at certain time intervals, explain the temperature of the exhaust in graph for a better understanding and so on.
All the best.