Camera rocket

[BABAR]

Okay, let’s see if we can make a rocket that is a stable platform on the way up AND the way down.

Centering rings, inside hole for 24 mm mount, used a 20mm hole saw, will sand to fit

 

[BABAR]

Cut tube to 9” (relying on some base drag)

Will put in a 24mm mount, although plan at least on initial flights to go with adapter for 18mm.

4 fins already papered

 

[BABAR]

Inner hole sander

 

[BABAR]

Marks need to be right

I tried Estes marker and door jam, still not consistently straight.

I used the same marks and true multiple lines, you can see how thick the result was because there was a little bit of waggle with both the door jam and the Estes guide. For a standard sport rocket, not significant (and we will see if it helps here).

Figured the Payload Bay markers will be better by far.

The red tape arrow marks the Payload Bay mark

Btw, the sliding piece on the Estes marking guide was NOT in the way when I used it, just including it in photo for illustration

Time will tell

Thanks @jadebox

 

[Sooner Boomer]

Somewhat like a stretched Fat Boy? (w/24mm) Are you using through-the-wall construction?

 

[BABAR]

Kind of my own version. I found four 1/16 fins that looked like they would work, so I papered them.

These is a reason for the big diameter, it will have three attachment points that hopefully will reduce rocket sway.


Cheaters.

These are fin root length (6 cm) x 1/16” x 1/16” that are easy to place on the lines, and will proved attachment points and hopefully optimal alignment.

With the exception of my interceptor E i have yet to do through the wall fins. I am putting in a 24 mm motor mount, although I will likely adapt down to 18 mm. As so many have said, it’s always easier to start with a big mount and go small than the contrary

Nose cone in place just to support the inside.

.

 

[BABAR]

Shroud line supports on forward centering rings (recycled key cards)

 

[BABAR]

Motor mount

 

[K'Tesh]

I wonder if you were to build a rocket that is large enough (and powerful enough) to have an onboard gyroscope, would that give a stable camera platform on the up and down?

 

[BABAR]

Complicated stringing up.

Three shock cords off the front, hopefully will help to hang steady from chute.

One shock cord out the tail, nose cone will be independent of the chute shrouds.

 

[GlenP]

I guess you just want to get the rocket to come down smoothly and not spin like crazy so you get a good stable camera during the descent. This will be interesting to see how that works. Looks promising so far!

I have not tried, but thought that maybe a small streamer on a long external shock cord from the tip of one fin would help keep the rocket from spinning around under a single chute. Kind of like a tail on a kite. The main chute does all the heavy lifting but the streamer just keeps the rocket oriented.

 

[BABAR]

I guess you just want to get the rocket to come down smoothly and not spin like crazy so you get a good stable camera during the descent. This will be interesting to see how that works. Looks promising so far!

I have not tried, but thought that maybe a small streamer on a long external shock cord from the tip of one fin would help keep the rocket from spinning around under a single chute. Kind of like a tail on a kite. The main chute does all the heavy lifting but the streamer just keeps the rocket oriented.

Interesting idea.

I will see how this one flies as is, but could easily add that.

 

[BABAR]

Two wraps of dental floss around the outside or the tube, one forward and one after of where the external shock cord parts come out. I don’t think zipper is likely anyway, as internally the lines extend downward, through the edges of the forward centering ring (reinforced with pieces of plastic key card) , then through the rear centering ring to loop around the motor mount.

 

[Bruce]

I wonder if you were to build a rocket that is large enough (and powerful enough) to have an onboard gyroscope, would that give a stable camera platform on the up and down?

This sounds like a great project!

I remember the demonstration where the professor would sit in a swivel chair while holding a spinning bicycle wheel in front. When the prof tilted the wheel to one side the gyroscopic force from the spinning bicycle wheel would rotate him one way in the swivel chair. When he tilted the wheel to the other side, the force would reverse his rotation on the swivel chair.

Couldn't a similar idea be applied to a rocket? If the onboard gyro sensed the rocket starting to spin one direction, the flight computer would command a servo to tilt the onboard spinning flywheel to stop the spinning.

Would this work? Or are there other, easier ways to absolutely stop a rocket from spinning?

 

[BABAR]

This sounds like a great project!

I remember the demonstration where the professor would sit in a swivel chair while holding a spinning bicycle wheel in front. When the prof tilted the wheel to one side the gyroscopic force from the spinning bicycle wheel would rotate him one way in the swivel chair. When he tilted the wheel to the other side, the force would reverse his rotation on the swivel chair.

Couldn't a similar idea be applied to a rocket? If the onboard gyro sensed the rocket starting to spin one direction, the flight computer would command a servo to tilt the onboard spinning flywheel to stop the spinning.

Would this work? Or are there other, easier ways to absolutely stop a rocket from spinning?

Great thought.

I believe gyros would work, but probably not practical for LPR (or my budget!)

 

[K'Tesh]

How much would a fidget spinner cost?
Then figure out a way to rig it to a motor that can spin it up, and disengage to allow it to spin freely... It's the last part that defeats my knowledge base.