What did you do rocket wise today?

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Tobor said:
Sounds like you might have an issue with whatever version of Java you have installed.
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It was Java-ish. Mint 19 was out before the Java upgrade. I still don't want to wait around, so I went to 18.3, instead. Works great now.
 
Okay: while I haven't read the whole thing, there's nowhere (I think) in it that says you can't build a model of an historic flight, like the X-1 launching from a B-52, or the Space Shuttle riding on a 747. Therefore, if we were to design a launching platform that had several dirigibles carrying the launch pad up, we could technically reach orbital altitudes.

This one might be cheaply constructed of four hydrogen-filled weather balloons on long carbon fiber frames and the rocket launcher amidships. If the sparks don't ignite the balloons, they can land safely. If not, they make a bang and everyone is ready with a fire extinguisher. Hydrogen is cheaper than helium & better at lifting. Proving a rocket can launch from one at 70 miles up could change space travel. But 125G? That's pushing it. MORE POWDER!!!!!
 
Lucifer said:
Regallo glider seems to be in my head a lot, but I can't seem to find a bit of software that would let me simulate one.

Basically, the rocket goes up so high, tips over somehow, and comes back down. As it's almost all the way up, we hope a recovery device gets deployed. So why not a deployable delta wing and set of skids? Or wheels? I've seen big kites, they're often called sails. They're so good, they're still used since the stone age. Now that we have space aged materials, they can be used to our advantage, and out pops a wing with only a leading edge & root supported. The same could be done with a good sized rocket. All the pieces come back to base. With GPS, they could fly themselves home. A string of LED's could show them the way to the runway. Line follower robots have been around since the '70s. Why not put wings on one? Delta is a really forgiving configuration, it just has to land nose up. Not a problem for a robot.

Smallest I can think of would be big Estes tubing. Isn't that something like 2.6"? That might do.

Freewriting here about rockets, I might come up with something fun!
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Balsa Machining Service has a T300-34 which is 3" O.D. its the same diameter as the Big Daddy and Leviathan's tubing.
 
Lucifer said:
Okay: while I haven't read the whole thing, there's nowhere (I think) in it that says you can't build a model of an historic flight, like the X-1 launching from a B-52, or the Space Shuttle riding on a 747. Therefore, if we were to design a launching platform that had several dirigibles carrying the launch pad up, we could technically reach orbital altitudes.

This one might be cheaply constructed of four hydrogen-filled weather balloons on long carbon fiber frames and the rocket launcher amidships. If the sparks don't ignite the balloons, they can land safely. If not, they make a bang and everyone is ready with a fire extinguisher. Hydrogen is cheaper than helium & better at lifting. Proving a rocket can launch from one at 70 miles up could change space travel. But 125G? That's pushing it. MORE POWDER!!!!!
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The FAA has expressed a decided lack of enthusiasm over rockoon projects lately......
 
Then just get a bunch of 7711-2’s filed in a blanket statement covering a vast launch area to troll the FAA office.
 
After finishing the paint on my MAC Performance 54mm Arcas, I finished out the recovery gear and motor retainer.

Then I got my LOC Precision 3" Athena ready for paint.
 

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I saw this at Target last night. Good job, Estes, for making a mass-market set that includes everything (3 motors!) to get a kid into rocketry.

I hope they are able to mass-market the forthcoming RTF Saturn V in a similar way.
563A3DF5-D07C-4E12-85AA-5F92E9E4312A.jpeg
 
I started with a starter set long ago on a D motor at a high school ball park. Later stumbled into HPR for college. That initial exposure was priceless.
 
Currently on a 3D print for a new build... Not trying to add to my build pile, but it is hard to have a 3D printer and not print something rocketry related.
 
Lucifer said:
...Freewriting here about rockets, I might come up with something fun!
Click to expand...

Lucifer said:
Okay: while I haven't read the whole thing, there's nowhere (I think) in it that says you can't build a model of an historic flight, like the X-1 launching from a B-52, or the Space Shuttle riding on a 747. Therefore, if we were to design a launching platform that had several dirigibles carrying the launch pad up, we could technically reach orbital altitudes....
Click to expand...

What "whole thing" was it that Lucifer didn't bother to read?
 
My uncle's old coworker and trivia partner returned from his yearly trip to eastern europe and brought this back for me.

It's some sort of novelty dustcatcher from a Soviet anniversary (70th?), but it's got a rocket on top, so it's all good.
The red lens looks like it'll make the structure glow like rocket exhaust which will be neat to see....when I can find an adapter for old russian 250v to US 110v.....

20190120_165017.jpg 20190120_164953.jpg 20190120_164942.jpg 20190120_164904.jpg 20190120_164859.jpg 15480251435884544879199704932991.jpg
 
Today I pulled out old kit from the closet, a kit my daughter got me called the Estes Dragonite #2169... since I am a Dragon after all. Anyway, I tried to put the rocket together by looking at the pics on the instruction sheet (not reading). Since when did Estes make snap together rockets? I tried to put this rocket togther with medium CA. and I just messed the whole project up... once you stick it down incorrectly, IT IS STUCK!! Anyway, I did not want to dissappoint my daughter, so I ordered another from Amazon... Lesson learned.
 
Nytrunner said:
My uncle's old coworker and trivia partner returned from his yearly trip to eastern europe and brought this back for me.

It's some sort of novelty dustcatcher from a Soviet anniversary (70th?), but it's got a rocket on top, so it's all good.
The red lens looks like it'll make the structure glow like rocket exhaust which will be neat to see....when I can find an adapter for old russian 250v to US 110v.....

View attachment 372126 View attachment 372127 View attachment 372128 View attachment 372129 View attachment 372130 View attachment 372131
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If you can take the item apart easily, you could replace the bulb socket inside to accept a standard night light bulb, Judging from the size of the unit I would go with 4 watt first of maybe 7 watt. Then just replace the plug with a US one. you could get a bulb socket from a cheap night light. probably cost you less than $10
 
DRAGON64 said:
Today I pulled out old kit from the closet, a kit my daughter got me called the Estes Dragonite #2169... since I am a Dragon after all. Anyway, I tried to put the rocket together by looking at the pics on the instruction sheet (not reading). Since when did Estes make snap together rockets? I tried to put this rocket togther with medium CA. and I just messed the whole project up... once you stick it down incorrectly, IT IS STUCK!! Anyway, I did not want to dissappoint my daughter, so I ordered another from Amazon... Lesson learned.
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Actually assembling with CA might not be a bad idea. I have read that this model tends to blow apart after the first ejection blast. Assembled mine with plastic cement. Don't know if I want to launch it. On the plus side, it's not very expensive. Cheers.
 
kuririn said:
Actually assembling with CA might not be a bad idea. I have read that this model tends to blow apart after the first ejection blast. Assembled mine with plastic cement. Don't know if I want to launch it. On the plus side, it's not very expensive. Cheers.
Click to expand...

Plastic cement should give me much better work time.
 
beeblebrox said:
If you can take the item apart easily, you could replace the bulb socket inside to accept a standard night light bulb, Judging from the size of the unit I would go with 4 watt first of maybe 7 watt. Then just replace the plug with a US one. you could get a bulb socket from a cheap night light. probably cost you less than $10
Click to expand...

Looks like it's relatively simple to access the bulb (they included a spare). I've already got a converter on the way (recommended by the gifter), so we'll see what happens!
 
Received some goodies in the mail on this fine MLK day.
From an eBay seller, a vintage ASP Micro Hawk:
IMG_20190121_143933.jpg

From Leading Edge Rocketry, an upscale Mosquito called the Skeeter, BT-60 size:
IMG_20190121_143919.jpg

And four Micro Maxx kits that I missed out on when they closed a few years ago:
IMG_20190121_143859.jpg

Plus a sweet treat from Leading Edge:
IMG_20190121_143950.jpg

What a great day! Cheers.
 

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