CMASS Father's Day Solstice Launch in Sudbury, Mass: June 21

[jcsalem]

I'm planning to stop by the Sudbury CMASS launch on Sunday. After all, the next "Solstice and Father's Day" launch isn't until 2015!

Looks like some good dreary New England weather in the forecast as well!

Jim

 

[dcastle]

I'm planning to be there as well...and I haven't been to a launch in at least a year and a half, maybe 2. I told my kids that I want to spend father's day flying rockets with them. I hope the weather holds out.

 

[billspad]

After all, the next "Solstice and Father's Day" launch isn't until 2015!

Are they forecasting rain for that day too?

We've paid for the field so I'm going to fly something!

 

[jflis]

I'll be there.... UGH.... I'll be there....

 

[KHamel]

Still hoping for sunshine.........yeah I know I am out of my mind. :shock:

 

[tonypv]

As always I'll be there.

 

[mach7]

I plan on being there. Hope the weather is ok. The gusts/rain don't look great.

I would like to try my cluster Saturn V, and I have I think 12 first flights.

 

[qhead72]

I'll be there.... UGH.... I'll be there....

I wish I could be there! It's been a long time since I flew a rocket! It would be nice to get away from the 104 degree heat here in South Texas.

Lamar

 

[bobkrech]

Amazingly we had about three dozen slightly crazy folks so up despite the weather, and got 61 launches off before the steady rain arrived after 1 PM, ranging from micromax to a G saucer. Most kept it below 500' so they landed in in low grass although a few brave souls found the 6'+ hay and the 80' trees downwind of the cut grass.

Since CMASS paid a non-refundable field rental fee of $180, President Bill Spadafora came prepared to launch even if the field was underwater! The field was actually in good shape, but Bill, to prove his point, made not 1, but 2 underwater launches! The launch pad was a custom micromax pad in a 6" diameter flower vase. The waterproofed rockets were wired up, continuity checked, and the vase filled with water covering the rockets by 6" or so. The launch button was pushed and the motor ignited and the rockets flew out of the water. It was pretty cool. Bill took 60 fps DV so I'm sure he'll post the videos.

Bob

 

[jflis]

Yep, I want to see that video!

I got several micro flights in. I also got the final Saturn 1B test in with an A10-3T motor. perfect flight but a parachute snarl resulted in a broken launch escape tower and one fin (easily fixed )

Here are some pix:

• Bill and gang preping for the "polaris launch"
• A close up showing the underwater rocket
• The successful lift off
• My Saturn 1B under A10 power

 

[billspad]

Yep, I want to see that video!

I haven't figured out how to upload them to YouTube as HD but these look pretty good. The slow motion at the end came out great.

Raw Fusion

Big Honkin Rocket

 

[GuyNoir]

I haven't figured out how to upload them to YouTube as HD but these look pretty good. The slow motion at the end came out great.

I loved the bubbles popping out of the Raw Fusion just before launch! :roll:

 

[billspad]

I loved the bubbles popping out of the Raw Fusion just before launch! :roll:

Evidently I didn't do a really good job sealing the nose cone/body tube joint with wax. I certainly got enough of it on my fingers.

 

[jflis]

kewl vids What I loved is that we all commented on this being ONE way that you could launch a Big Honkin' Rocket with some hope of getting it back...

FAIL!

That water didn't seem to slow it down at all! LOL I heard the pop of ejection but never saw it past the wave of water...

 

[billspad]

Here are some frame grabs from the video.

 

[n3tjm]

now those videos are just too cool!

 

[kelltym88]

Ok now that was just cool!!

I've heard of this concept before. What special prepping was needed, and could this be done on a bigger scale?