I disagree that we were saying the same thing, Watermelonman.
First, Hans, the OP, was talking about the Top Flight 6x60 streamer in a Painkiller Micro. I don't think that particular streamer in that particular rocket is going to bring it down slow enough for primary recovery and suggested a larger one if it could reasonably fit. Once I get done with this post, I'm going to dry off the trampoline, toss some work clothes in the wash (and towels; Nikki mentioned towels in my caffeine deprived state this morning), and get the dishes put away, I'm going to see what I can cram in a Painkiller Micro, compare it to my descent rates for ripstop nylon streamers to suggest a solution I would stand behind. I suspect Hans singled out that particular streamer because it can be found on Internet searches and is amongst the larger nylon streamers easily attainable--which, as the first post stated, was his intent: to recover under ripstop nylon streamer. I don't suspect Top Flight makes the size he will need, but that's okay--if he can't make one himself, I'll be happy to make one for him, but the first thing is to determine what'll fit, and what speed it will give him if used.
No one wants a HPR rocket landing on their car, themselves, or their family. I wouldn't want my kids struck by a Mini-Magg under chute on a nominal flight, and I'm not keen on having a rocket land on my car. That's not the question, issue, or point--that's a given: we protect those we love and the things in our lives that are important to us.
I've flown rockets using HPR motors and recovered them under streamer with landing speeds similar to --or slower than-- what the manufacturer's flat 'chute would do. Same end, different means. Tom saw one example of this (as did anyone else paying attention at Red Glare--and they had to be paying attention, because Niel didn't call a "heads up" flight). Aside from the 24" by 24' streamer the rocket descended under, it was a rather garden-variety woosh/pop flight. The suitability of a rocket to recover under streamer is its weight vs recovery compartment area. That is all. If a streamer large enough to recover reasonably can fit inside... have at it! To call this method a heads-up flight and set overly tight parameters for it to occur is unnecessary.
It can be done safely. That is my point. I'd not suggest a streamer too small anymore than I'd suggest an undersized parachute--unless you're talking strictly as an apogee event, which is a different set of parameters and calculations entirely. I'd be happy to do them for you, given a weight.
Later!
--Coop
