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Good luck; looks like a great project!
One thing to remember about flying at the Argonia Rocket Pasture is that all metal parts require paint, just an FYI.
Confirmed, metal parts painting restriction has been lifted. Chuck already knows this.I’m not sure that is still the case. Chuck has been talking with Kloudbusters. I’ll ask them since I’m a member there and let you know chuck.
Chuck,
Now that you have the Parachutes squared away, have you addressed the Recovery Harnesses yet ? ( Materials, Design, Length, Hardware, etc. )
Dave F.
View attachment 387980
Good old Frank .
This is a good time for this discussion as Buddy Michaelson asked about my choice of Kevlar for the recovery harness just a few days ago.
Already have (4) 100 ft sections of 1/2” sewn-loop Kevlar. There will be 2 of these between the booster and the bottom of the drogue section. The other 2 will be between the top of the drogue and the main parachute. There will be (2) 25’ sections attaching the drogue to the motor casing upper enclosure eyebolt anchor. The nosecone will be recovered separately.
Buddy recommends the use of nylon for the recovery harnesses. If well-protected nylon provides much more give than Kevlar. I’ve used Kevlar since my Level 2 days and have never had a problem. However I would consider a switch to nylon if there was enough reason to do so. The bottom line for me is that nylon just isn’t strong enough.
As far as hardware it’s forged-steel all the way. The entire system is designed for 8000 lbs of force with breaking strengths north of 10,000 lbs.
We have in place a robust recovery system. As always this rocket is being built in the wide open so inputs are always welcomed. Although we try to prepare for every contingency mistakes can be made. Need you guys to help catch those mistakes.
Thanks!
Chuck C.
Chuck,
Are you going to bring it down in one, two, or three pieces ?
By "Nose Cone" did you literally mean just the Nose Cone by itself or the Payload Section with it?
What altitude are you considering for Main Deployment ?
Dave F.
View attachment 387999
What do you plan to use for tracking?Booster and payload sections stay together with 200 ft total of harness. Nosecone only by itself as we don’t need it fouling the main.
Main deployment probably at 5000 ft to give it time to do its thang.
Chuck C.
I have seen Tow straps used as recovery harnesses on large rockets. Should be plenty strong. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.northerntool.com/images/product/2000x2000/322/322825_2000x2000.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200451243_200451243&docid=M4q_8EPOAA3OuM&tbnid=fgYuNDcHaYsPvM:&vet=10ahUKEwiEt-nJ5aPjAhWLxlQKHSmPCKsQMwiZAigCMAI..i&w=2000&h=2000&bih=937&biw=1920&q=tow strap&ved=0ahUKEwiEt-nJ5aPjAhWLxlQKHSmPCKsQMwiZAigCMAI&iact=mrc&uact=8
Booster and payload sections stay together with 200 ft total of harness. Nosecone only by itself as we don’t need it fouling the main.
Main deployment probably at 5000 ft to give it time to do its thang.
Chuck C.
What do you plan to use for tracking?
Kate is a very cool setup. Very expensive as well. I’ve used a garmin Astro dog collar for multiple flights. It’s very tough but there are other systems out there now that are much smaller and around the same price. It’s good for up to nine miles.Good question Levi.
Right now it’s going to be The Big Red Bee 900Mhz GPS system.
I’m in discussion with the fine gentleman that offers the “Kate” system of tracking. Just asked him if we could bring his and my discussion to the forum.
Like many ideas I’d like a good online review of his system before committing to putting it on this rocket.
Should know shortly!
Chuck C.
... I haven’t had time to see how it all gets incorporated into the rocket and what changes may have to be made in the prepping process.
What do you plan to use for tracking?
The Kate transmitter is usually mounted in the nosecone. It fits perfectly inside a 54mm tube and is held in place with 54mm coupler tubes above it and below it. That's all there is to mounting it. When you are ready to fly, it can be turned-on by passing a magnetic induction loop over the outside of the nosecone. It then links up with the receiver and can be armed for flight using a simple go/no-go menu page on the receiver. The Kate voice narration starts at liftoff and the telemetry information is also displayed on the receiver. The receiver also displays a simple locator screen that guides the user to the rocket for recovering it. Once the rocket is recovered the transmitter can be turned-off by sending a command from the receiver. In a nut shell, that's it. The system is designed to be intuitive and easy to use.
Lucky dogOk Vern over at Multitronix has asked about putting the Kate tracking system on the UpChuckR rocket as a demonstration at LDRS.
Here’s his web site and where you can get additional information on the Kate system:
https://www.multitronix.com/
Although I’ve seen the system in use on other rockets (and was impressed) I must admit I’m pretty ignorant overall about how it works. Was able to gain more knowledge at the web site but not enough to make an informed decision. Admittedly I’ve got so much on my plate finishing up the rocket and tending to the logistics.
Vern has given me permission to bring our discussion onto this thread.
I’d like to see Kate in action and was curious what you all thought of the system. Again I haven’t had time to see how it all gets incorporated into the rocket and what changes may have to be made in the prepping process.
So if you all have some inputs I’d like to hear them.
Thanks!
Chuck C.
Booster and payload sections stay together with 200 ft total of harness. Nosecone only by itself as we don’t need it fouling the main. Main deployment probably at 5000 ft to give it time to do its thang.
If I read this right, the nose cone doesn't separate completely from the rocket until the 5000 foot event. This should keep the tracked potion much closer to the untracked parts so a second tracker is not as critical. Or lower the separation point further.
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