Payloads: How do you pop them open?

[Mike dd966]

I want to build a payload bay that will pop open at apogee and send a few items raining down. I want to keep it simple. Any ideas that have worked for you would be appreciated.

 

[UPscaler]

Drop them right in the rocket so the ejection charge will push them directly out, no need for a payload bay.

Just make sure you use something to protect your items from being burned, such as a nomex chute protector.

I used to do it a lot with those little skydiving army men in my big bertha.


Braden

 

[rcktnut]

Unless you have "items" with chutes/safe recovery on them, not a good idea to have "items" raining down from rockets.

 

[dlb]

that's my asking to "what is a few items raining down" mean

 

[GRIFFIN]

Unless you have "items" with chutes/safe recovery on them, not a good idea to have "items" raining down from rockets.

Unless the "item" was just water.....then it would BE rain!

 

[o1d_dude]

I want to build a payload bay that will pop open at apogee and send a few items raining down. I want to keep it simple. Any ideas that have worked for you would be appreciated.

A Piñata Rocket!!!

We had one Saturday at the LUNAR monthly launch at Snow Ranch. The kids love it. As I understand it, the candy is deployed with the chute or when the rocket lawndarts. Doesn't sound like what you're looking for but...

 

[Mike dd966]

A pinata rocket is exactly what I had in mind. Small pieces of candy with crepe paper steamers for the kids. I want to open the payload bay without melting the candy. Looking for ideas....
Thanks for all the safety minded responses.......we should never assume, always clarify.

 

[gdiscenza]

The first thought that comes to mind is a "clamshell" payload bay, with a vertical hinge that would be spring-loaded and restrained by some sort of latch that would release when the payload/nose cone ejects at apogee.

Might be a bit heavy, but with the opening to one side, there is minimal chance of melted candy.

G.D.

 

[chadrog]

K.I.S.S. - Push it out with a piston.

 

[John T]

Reading this post, all I could think of was the old TV show,
WKRP in Cincinnati

"With God As My Witness,
I Thought Turkeys Could Fly...."

-John-

 

[dixontj93060]

If timing is critical go with the ejection charge and piston, if not, and you want delivery at apogee, just have a loose nosecone tied on with a shockcord; the apogee deployment charge along with the shifting mass of the payload should pop the NC right off.