Why do several recommendations state that the rocket should be vertical on the pad to arm the recovery electronics?
All of the above.@julimc --
Great Q !
All of the above are most important ( what @Rschub and @QFactor said )
In addition, if you've got an accelerometer-based altimeter, then rotating the rocket from horizontal to vertical results in a change in linear acceleration from 0-G to 1-G.
Such a change should not trigger a launch detect event, but one never knows and it could detect liftoff which might be followed by a deployment event.
-- kjh
All of the above.
In fact, some altimeters with accelerometers will not arm unless the rocket is vertical.
The rocket must also be in the vertical position when you insert the motor's igniter.
Ouch, that could be worse if you mean that theIf I remember correctly the Raven4 needs to be vertical.
Yes. Perhaps the code should be less ambiguous about this. The Tripoli Safety Code states:This may be a local club recommendation, but it is not stated in any NAR or Tripoli Safety Code.
7-2 | While installing an igniter and at all times afterward, the rocket must remain pointed in a safe direction (away from all people.) |
This may be a local club recommendation, but it is not stated in any NAR or Tripoli Safety Code.
Yes. Perhaps the code should be less ambiguous about this. The Tripoli Safety Code states:
7-2 While installing an igniter and at all times afterward, the rocket must remain pointed in a safe direction (away from all people.)
I install a HPR igniter while the rocket is horizontal on the rail, pointed away from the range head. Getting on your hands and knees, squinting up into the sun, and fighting gravity in order to install an igniter is not needed.
You forgot to add "kneeling in the dirt or mud" in a harvested cornfield.
Some motors come with nozzles too small to fit their igniters through, partiularly the J615ST with the aerospike nozzle, necessitating the removal of the nozzle to install the igniter. It is best to install your igniter when the rocket is vertical, as the last thing you do before leaving the launch pad, but we definitely do NOT want a strict requirement to install igniters only when vertical because of these edge cases.
Okay, you're right, hooking up the leads is always the last thing you do, and installing the igniter should be the second to last thing you do unless you have an edge case that requires motor disassembly.If you mean "hooking up the ignition leads to the igniter" is the last thing you do, then yes, I agree.
Here's my steps for a normal rocket:Okay, you're right, hooking up the leads is always the last thing you do, and installing the igniter should be the second to last thing you do unless you have an edge case that requires motor disassembly.
and the electronics should be armed before inserting the igniter. That makes sure if it goes up it is likely to deploy.The rocket must also be in the vertical position when you insert the motor's igniter.
Seriously? That is asking for problems.Fill the charge containers with BP at the pad. Then turn on everything and insert the igniter, etc.
It also says:Yes. Perhaps the code should be less ambiguous about this. The Tripoli Safety Code states:
7-2 While installing an igniter and at all times afterward, the rocket must remain pointed in a safe direction (away from all people.)
and the electronics should be armed before inserting the igniter. That makes sure if it goes up it is likely to deploy.
Fill the charge containers with BP at the pad. Then turn on everything and insert the igniter, etc.
Seriously? That is asking for problems.
Weighing BP charges at the pad, in the wind, on a ladder, then repacking a whole recovery system isn't just crazy and unsafe, it's inconsiderate to the other flyers.Fill the charge containers with BP at the pad. Then turn on everything and insert the igniter, etc.
How? Reduced risk of consequences from uncontrolled charges firing, vs distance safety and controlled access at flight line, at the cost of more field assembly. Probably most appropriate for projects with 5g and 10g charges. Not your mpr stuff.Seriously? That is asking for problems.
Weighing BP charges at the pad, in the wind, on a ladder, then repacking a whole recovery system
This is completely insane. At the risk of completely derailing the OP's thread, I want to quash this before it gains any traction. Your suggestion, however you propose it, is not a viable option and absolutely compromises safety.Why would you do it that way? Seems dangerous.
I'm sure you can think of protected ways to accomplish the same thing.
How? Just give it some serious thought. Have you actually done that? As watheyak says, it is insane.How? Reduced risk of consequences from uncontrolled charges firing, vs distance safety and controlled access at flight line, at the cost of more field assembly. Probably most appropriate for projects with 5g and 10g charges. Not your mpr stuff.
You have problems. I have never had one fire accidently and you have had two. You also say it wasn't much of a safety issue. What about the person setting up their rocket on the next pad?Twice I've had altimeters fire the ejection charges as they were powered on. In both cases, the rocket was vertical, on the pad. So it wasn't much of a safety issue, for bystanders. Was a change my shorts moment for me.
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