What can you do with MPR today?

[tmazanec1]

Can you take aerial photos (I never did get around to using that Camroc, or even getting a Cineroc)? Get weather observations at one kilometer (wind speed, temperature, etc.)? Launch a baseball (or bowling ball) instead of an egg? Anything else?

 

[neil_w]

Can you take aerial photos (I never did get around to using that Camroc, or even getting a Cineroc)?

I haven't seen too much (any?) of people actually launching still cameras; taking video from the rocket would be a more typical application today, what with the availability of cheap miniature video cameras. Quality is good enough that screen caps from the video can be quite nice. Larger rockets (up into HPR territory) can launch bigger and better cameras, e.g. GoPros etc.

Get weather observations at one kilometer (wind speed, temperature, etc.)?

I'd think wind speed would be quite challenging because of the movement of the rocket. Other readings would be straightforward if you cobble together the electronics necessary to do so.

Launch a baseball (or bowling ball) instead of an egg? Anything else?

Up in HPR-land folks launch bowling balls, six-packs of beer and other stuff. MPR would have its limits in terms of how much weight you could loft.

 

[dhbarr]

I haven't seen too much (any?) of people actually launching still cameras; taking video from the rocket would be a more typical application today, what with the availability of cheap miniature video cameras. Quality is good enough that screen caps from the video can be quite nice. Larger rockets (up into HPR territory can launch bigger and better cameras, e.g. GoPros etc.



I'd think wind speed would be quite challenging because of the movement of the rocket. Other readings would be straightforward if you cobble together the electronics necessary to do so.

Up in HPR-land folks launch bowling balls, six-packs of beer and other stuff. MPR would have its limits in terms of how much weight you could loft.

If my napkin-mather is working correctly, you could do an 8-lb ball with something like a Binder Dragonfly backend.

100m or so, 72in chute, 3in bluetube, 2x g76. Still need a waiver for the mass, though.

 

[retortec]

I have been flying a Mobius camera and altimeter on my Estes Ventris for more than two years. I think it is a great camera platform. Relatively light and way over stable the camera has little effect on the flight other than altitude. With mid power I have flown it well over 2000 feet and have captured some excellent images.