ebruce1361
The man with the plan. And some duct tape.
I've done detachable external boosters before, but those were detached via ejection charge of the booster motors. Now I want to try something a bit different: I want to have boosters detach a couple seconds before their ejection charges fire for a nice, clean separation where the boosters will coast in the same direction as the core rocket while decelerating. This will be for a BT80 scratch-built Delta IV Heavy flying on a 29mm F10 for the core and the boosters will ideally be on E15s and will have their own parachutes.The method I want to go with for separation is to use two pairs of rail buttons on the core that slide into notches on the boosters and two 5vdc solenoids with their pins keeping the boosters from sliding back/down. The solenoids will be triggered to retract a few seconds after launch, and the boosters will slide back on the buttons until the notches widen (think of a sliding chain door lock but with the notch in more of a V shape) and the boosters fall off.
What I need help with is the control electronics. I was thinking of the SparkFun Wake On Shake accelerometer starting a timer relay, but I wonder if an electronic staging altimeter would be better. What say ye?
What I need help with is the control electronics. I was thinking of the SparkFun Wake On Shake accelerometer starting a timer relay, but I wonder if an electronic staging altimeter would be better. What say ye?