Hamster Dance

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tfish

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I built a rocket to compete in this years Hamster Dance https://www.hamsterdancelaunch.com/

This is my first time to compete in this event. It's been fun trying to figure out what to build and fly.

without getting into much details...
The 54mm motor is a combination of spent AT DMS stuff and CTI things. It works out to a K375 with a 4.3 sec burn. The body of the rocket is a piece of old AT single use K250..(it's thinner then the new DMS motor cases)
I did have to make a plug and mold for the nose cone. The fins are CF plate 'glued' to the motor..true sub min dia. Electronics are old school ARTS 2 and a Eggfinder GPS. The rocket is just under the 5# limit and is simming to just under the 15K altitude goal.

Below is a photo. I still have some finishing work to do...and the final rocket length will depend on it's weight and simulations. (the fins in the photo look huge..but they are my typical 1.1 cal/span fins)

hamster.jpg

Tony
 
Looking good Tony ... truly a minimal minimalist approach bumping the ceiling height.

Plan to watch a few Hamsters flights Thursday afternoon if my other chores get finished in time ... ;)

Good luck on the high flight award!

John
 
I'm signed up for Hamster Dance.
Motor is an F80 I made 20 years ago. Airframe also has many years on it, a LOC Aura.
Having spectated at most of the Hamster Dances I decided to enter this year.

M
 
Good luck to U2 Mr. MCLARK ... first "high power" rocket I built was a LOC Forte' back in the day.

C'ya out there
 
Yep - gonna be an interesting Dance this year.
I might be forced to wait till Friday to fly my entry in the Dance.
 
I'd love to see more Hamster Dance projects. The more detailed the better with regards to electronics and recovery. One of these days I'll get into research just to dance a hamster.
 
2019080208393444-IMG_0706-XL.jpg



Hum ... Do I or don't I?

I will be at BALLS on Thursday
I might get some time around "noon'ish" for one quick "Dance"
I do have a Go Devil I picked up on sale sitting around itching to be built
I also have left over propellant grains laying about and just asking to be burned up
I have plenty of all the parts needed to build this rocket including a spare altimeter to flyer'er high

Just need to get one of the RCS EMKs'

Hum ... Take a Devil to the Hamster Dance?
 
https://www.ballslaunch.com/

It's the kick off event for BALLS at Blackrock Desert in September where nothing less than a J is "generally" allowed to fly. On Thursday after setup, It's from noon till four or last rocket up which ever occurs first. There is no minimum size or weight just must be max all in 5 pounds, don't bust 15k ceiling and build your own motor {no commercial} with zero metal parts. Other than the basic rules of run what you bring, hamsters of all shapes and sizes along with dubious and sketchy backgrounds ... well ... dance!

https://www.hamsterdancelaunch.com/
 
For the first few years Hamster Dance was held away from the BALLS launch site, usually at a remote location. My favorite was a playa with a mountain in the middle and launching from top of mountain! Recovery on playa.
Location.
(40.9896880,-118.9675104)
This place is truly nowhere, makes BALLS location seem like downtown.

M
 
2019080208393444-IMG_0706-XL.jpg



Hum ... Do I or don't I?

I will be at BALLS on Thursday
I might get some time around "noon'ish" for one quick "Dance"
I do have a Go Devil I picked up on sale sitting around itching to be built
I also have left over propellant grains laying about and just asking to be burned up
I have plenty of all the parts needed to build this rocket including a spare altimeter to flyer'er high

Just need to get one of the RCS EMKs'

Hum ... Take a Devil to the Hamster Dance?
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
https://www.ballslaunch.com/

It's the kick off event for BALLS at Blackrock Desert in September where nothing less than a J is "generally" allowed to fly. On Thursday after setup, It's from noon till four or last rocket up which ever occurs first. There is no minimum size or weight just must be max all in 5 pounds, don't bust 15k ceiling and build your own motor {no commercial} with zero metal parts. Other than the basic rules of run what you bring, hamsters of all shapes and sizes along with dubious and sketchy backgrounds ... well ... dance!

https://www.hamsterdancelaunch.com/
And the bling is getting serious this year thanks to Gary Rosenfield!
 
What is the actual waivered altitude during the Hamster Dance on Thursday?
You know, the number the FAA cares about......
 
What is the actual waivered altitude during the Hamster Dance on Thursday?
You know, the number the FAA cares about......
Fred, the waiver is for 20,000 BUT, HAMSTER DANCE is set at 15,000. Go higher than 15K and you loose.
 
Hamster Astronaut.png Back in my High School days we actually made Hamster's Dance around and Fly.
Our class built a rocket large enough to hold a Hamster in the Payload chamber !
It was the Astronaut for 3 flights. Never hurt the little fellow at all. High School in the 70's was different.
 
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Gary - thanks.
So the airspace limit is 18k AGL.

What's with the altitude limit for an altitude contest....seems even more silly than the name.
 
Gary - thanks.
So the airspace limit is 18k AGL.

What's with the altitude limit for an altitude contest....seems even more silly than the name.
Day: Surface to 20,000' Mean Sea Level (MSL) / approx 19,600' Above Ground Level (AGL)

The Great and Powerful Oz Hamster (NOT me) set the rules! So Fred, ya gonna come and dance with us? I am very happy to see more folks coming out to participate. The previous 'dances' have been interesting to say the least. Lots of great memories......
 
I'm confused.
Black Rock is at about 4000ft MSL (ballpark) - so if you have a 20k MSL waiver, you only have 16k AGL and only 14.4k AGL available to fly.
Can you please clarify -- how high AGL can you fly on Thursday?

Yes, checking my dance card now.....not sure I can dance Thursday.
 
Recovery went together last night.
Only shear pins and charges left to do.

Managed 100% no metal, including recovery, beyond the electronics and the aluminum in the propellant.

We're going to be pushing hard to get to the Playa.
Our usual arrival is ~3PM which is pretty late.
Going to be herding the cats to get moving as early as possible.....

Trying to decide if I want to install the pins and charges tonight.....
 
Is this the theme song for the Hamster Dance?



If not, it should be... :D
 
Tony -- you got Gabe in the pictured, not me -- but we both (actually, all six of us) danced!
It was fun!

We need to work on our fin attach - M3.2 is hard.

Nice to hear the Hamster's voted for an unlimited ceiling next year -- message received!

See ya next year.

BTW - for the "popcorn eaters" reading along: the rocket Gabe is holding is 58% PMF. Weighed 4.75#, yet had 2.75# of propellant making an L-1000 and pulling 60G's out of the tower. We made 6 mostly identical rockets - each lost it's fins.

One of our EBay's was found and returned to the LCO where it was announced as "found and beeping out over 13k AGL".... one of our EBay's (rocket torn up) went as high as the winner's rocket.....

Next year ;-)
 
I think you Hamsters should raise your game abit. How about no metal, no glass or CF.
 
How about no metal, no glass or CF.

We're pretty much there.
The rocket Gabe is holding has ZERO metal beyond the electronics and the aluminum in the fuel.
The only CF is in the fins.
The only FG is the regular rocket parts that form the drogue bay, EBAY and NC.

The motor itself has no metal, no CF, no FG.
It does use a recycled [used] Aerotech SU phenolic nozzle.
 
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