What did you do rocket wise today?

[mbeels]

Next step in getting back to rockets:

Pegboard!

A new rocket bench is a great way to start off the new year. The real question is, can this bench build a rocket for an "O" motor?

 

[neil_w]

A new rocket bench is a great way to start off the new year. The real question is, can this bench build a rocket for an "O" motor?

... or a 9' L3 rocket?

 

[Nytrunner]

Nope, that's when you have to break out the saw horses

 

[wolsen]

Carefully measured and drilled railbutton placements for my New Shepard. I’m a bit nervous about this as it uses a button on one of the smaller fins (ttw to the motor mount) and the upper tube. They are offset so it uses two sides of the rail. The rocket slides freely up and down though so I’m pretty sure it will work.

 

[tsmmiller]

I gave my Lego Space Shuttle to my 6YO to put together.
He has to do it by himself, I will not help him.

 

[jqavins]

View attachment 445903

THAT is slick!

 

[Blast it Tom!]

Visited Hobby Express today, bought some engines, drooled over Estes Saturn 1B, less so over Saturn V-Skylab, considered a couple of models but I can't build right now so... I have a $50 gift card from Christmas, so I will return! Got a styrofoam Space shuttle glider for the grandson, I'll do it up purty!

 

[neil_w]

Carefully measured and drilled railbutton placements for my New Shepard. I’m a bit nervous about this as it uses a button on one of the smaller fins (ttw to the motor mount) and the upper tube. They are offset so it uses two sides of the rail. The rocket slides freely up and down though so I’m pretty sure it will work.

Is that even *legal*???


[edit: that was intended as a joke]

 

[OverTheTop]

Is that even *legal*???

Don't see why not, but it does limit you to the type of rails you can fly off. Not much of a problem.

 

[boatgeek]

I flew! Two of the students on our TARC team ran a outreach event through one of the local community centers. 6 or so kids aged 3-10 built rockets and I helped them fly today. In between, I flew a few of my own. One each D12, C12FJ, C18W, and G83BS. The white Q jets are super fun and fast burning.

 

[Senior Space Cadet]

Just printed off a bunch of images to make wing and fin templates.
I've been playing around, on Open Rocket, trying to design something that looks like a jet fighter and haven't been excited by anything I've come up with.
I decided to forget about trying to look like and F-22 or F-16 or any existing fighter and go more for something that just looks cool and flies reasonably well.
I think I've got the look I want in my head, just not sure I can transfer it to Open Rocket, so I can work out the stability.

 

[jqavins]

I decided to forget about trying to look like and F-22 or F-16 or any existing fighter and go more for something that just looks cool and flies reasonably well.

If you want to un-forget it, you might be able to make something that resembles a real life delta wing fighter and make it function as a rocket. Just google "delta wing fighter" for inspiration.

 

[Senior Space Cadet]

If you want to un-forget it, you might be able to make something that resembles a real life delta wing fighter and make it function as a rocket. Just google "delta wing fighter" for inspiration.

I kind of did something like that and wasn't happy either.
I think you'll like what I come up with.
Think Supermarine Spitfire updated for the jet age.

 

[tsmmiller]

Helped the 6YO joint the shuttle to the tank and SBRs.
This assist was all I helped him with other than helping to find an occasional piece. Where that piece went was then up to him!.

 

[Blast it Tom!]

Helped the 6YO joint the shuttle to the tank and SBRs.
This assist was all I helped him with otherView attachment 446001 than helping to find an occasional piece. Where that piece went was then up to him!.

Mr. Miller:

Does that model disassemble per the flight sequence? I.e. boosters separate, then main tank... or is it really meant to be only a static display?

Congrats to your 6 YO. It looks to me like the box says "16+".

 

[tsmmiller]

Mr. Miller:

Does that model disassemble per the flight sequence? I.e. boosters separate, then main tank... or is it really meant to be only a static display?

Congrats to your 6 YO. It looks to me like the box says "16+".

Both of the SRBs separate from the tank, the tank may also be removed from the shuttle. It has extendable gear so it can sit
”wheels down.” It is somewhat cumbersome and delicate. so as far as sitting and playing with it, not advisable. The bay doors open to expose the arm and an included satellite, the “roof” also comes off to see two astronauts sitting in the cabin.
You noticed the 16 + huh? I gave this to him to build to see what he could do. He just finished the Architecture White House. Designed for ages 18 and above. More pieces than the shuttle. He succeeded with both kits, no help from dad.

 

[RocketTree]

I have been re-purposing a few old rockets that will never fly. All scratch built models I used for practice. Parts are then re-used in more advanced rocket designs.

This week launched a BT-80 tomahawk, Iris, der red max.
Fat Boy 2.6" launched to stress-test a 31 foot streamer for future use in a minimum diameter rocket.

Built a 4" Goblin with 29mm motor mount.

Finished a BT-20 micro scale Bomarc for practice.

Now working on a BT-80 Bomarc.

 

[Cape Byron]

Worked on kit instructions. Ordered LiPo batteries and charger for my Eggtimer Apogee kits from here:

https://core-electronics.com.au/
Pricing seems good. May be of use to other Aussies.

 

[OverTheTop]

Ordered a pair of Aerotech K695 Red motors from Ausrocketry. They are "in stock", so I will see how long they take to make the journey. These will be used for some lower altitude proving flights for my VTS, on the Velociraptor.


[edit] Also purchased a book on sale. Maybe I can learn me some stuff about GNC . It must be my day for retail therapy...

https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.102752

 

[Zertyme]

Ordered a Wildman Darkstar Mini from https://eurospacetechnology.eu to kit bash it into a 38mm minimum diameter.

I also received two 50mL cartridges of DP490, for a total of 31euros including shipping.

 

[Senior Space Cadet]

I'm building what I'm calling a Spitfire influenced jet fighter.
I cut out the stabilizers, tail, and wings and did some shaping.
I made a bold decision. WW2 era fighter planes, such as the Spitfire, have their wings underneath with a slight upsweep.
I glued the two wing halves together with a used Estes motor under each wing tip to form the upsweep, and am planning on gluing them to the body tube as a single unit..
I was already worried about how I was going to figure out stability, now I also have to worry about the rocket doing a big arc.

 

[kuririn]

Added more details to my Dr. Zooch Juno II clone build.
Corrugated wrap at the booster end.
90 deg. bend exhaust tube.
Angle of attack probe.
Could have added vent covers on the transition but........ Nah!
Assembly is complete.


Also completed main assembly of the Space Monkeys V2.


Just have to glue on the fiddly bits.
Exhaust vanes, antennae, shroud covers, and fasteners.
T-E-D-I-O-U-S!
Laters.

 

[Tim51]

Completed building an Eggtimer Proton. It worked first time I connected it.. clearly my SMD soldering skills are improving.

 

[SCooke123]

I started working on a clone SPEV, Got the main body mostly built. Working on the engine mount.

 

[Cape Byron]

Just have to glue on the fiddly bits.
Exhaust vanes, antennae, shroud covers, and fasteners.
T-E-D-I-O-U-S!

The fasteners are easier than they look. Trust me... (<= now Google 'Wolf Creek' and see if you would trust anyone in a hat like that...)

 

[kuririn]

Wolf Creek: Ski resort in Colorado?
Oh, wait. This one?

The fasteners are easier than they look.

I'm taping the half round strip to double sided tape so the little pieces don't go flying when I cut them.
Also using brushed on liquid cement (Plasti-Weld) and dropping it on the pieces after placing them.
Still tedious.

 

[Cape Byron]

Wolf Creek: Ski resort in Colorado?
Oh, wait. This one?



I'm taping the half round strip to double sided tape so the little pieces don't go flying when I cut them.
Also using brushed on liquid cement (Plasti-Weld) and dropping it on the pieces after placing them.
Still tedious.

That's the movie. Cool story.

That's the way I did my fasteners, too. Only lost three. I also put my left thumb over the blade when cutting. Occasionally you feel one of the fasteners flick up under your thumb, but the tape catches it on the rebound.

 

[Cape Byron]

Cleaning out the loft and found some boxes of old rockets, mostly complete, some needing repair.



Estes Python 4 ASRAAM getting a fin fix.



Sunward Starwatcher that thinks its a Chaparral.



Dirty Snitch that needs some CA work. How does anyone break a Snitch?



Estes Lucky 7. Amazed I never lost it.

And this beastie. I can't remember what it was, maybe a Thrustline kit? Dual 13mm cluster. Balsa nose cone. BT-55 tube 8 3/4" long. OAL 14". I might throw it into OR before I throw it into the sky.

Any ideas what it is?

 

[kuririn]

How does anyone break a Snitch?

Threaten to pull off his fingernails?

Any ideas what it is?

No idea. Maybe a scratcher?
You like clusters right?

 

[Cape Byron]

Threaten to pull off his fingernails?

No idea. Maybe a scratcher?
You like clusters right?

Could be a scratcher, circa 2006. I'm impressed if it is!

It has a baffle, and Kevlar recovery, but they could be mods.

It has the signs of a bit of use, so it must fly okay. Hmmm...