joepolicy
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- May 23, 2004
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First off, feel free to tell me if I am crazy....
I accepted an invitation to the Freedom launch, 4-5 September in Orangeburg. I figured while I was there, I may as well attempt my L1 and possibly my L2 since it is a 8,400 mile round trip from Germany and I want to make the most out of it.
I am restricted for sizes of packages I can mail to the states, so I am building a PML Ariel and PML Tethys, both have the kwik switch mmt's for 54/38/29mm motors. I can easily mail the completed rockets, but they will just be under the USPS mail size restrictions, so I cannot build/mail anything bigger. I will not have time for any building since I arrive on 3 September and the launch starts the next day.
I am planning on doing my L1 with the Tethys on an H128W, sims to about 936 feet, no problem there. The L2 has me concerned since the J350 motor I want to use will send both rockets to over 5000 feet according to RockSim.
I could really use a recommendation on what would be the best way to recover either rocket from a J350 flight. The Ariel does have a payload bay, but I have not worked with altimeters, drogue chutes, etc. before, so I am trying to do the HPR fast study thing. Tethys has PML stock 48" chute and Ariel has PML stock 36" chute.
I am concerned that if I use a standard ejection charge, I will not get my rocket back as it floats out of site 5000+ feet downrange. I assume I will need some sort of electronics arrangement, the simpler, the better. I am short on time, but I can still get parts if needed. Would love to hear some ideas on what I can do to bring the rocket safely (and visibly) back home.
My other concern is the velocity which sims at over 1,000fps for both rockets. The Tethys will have internal epoxy fillets (after heavy roughing up of course) with 6oz glass and then PML foam will be added to the fin can. The external fillets will be made using West Systems 105/205 with 404 filler material (I also have 405 and 406 filler if one is better then the other). I will not be externally glassing the Quantum Tube since that is not recommended. Will the G10 fins/QT hold up under the launch velocities if I build strong internally?
Appreciate any help anyone can provide. I am +7 hours from central time, so please excuse me if I do not respond immediately to questions.
Thanks!
I accepted an invitation to the Freedom launch, 4-5 September in Orangeburg. I figured while I was there, I may as well attempt my L1 and possibly my L2 since it is a 8,400 mile round trip from Germany and I want to make the most out of it.
I am restricted for sizes of packages I can mail to the states, so I am building a PML Ariel and PML Tethys, both have the kwik switch mmt's for 54/38/29mm motors. I can easily mail the completed rockets, but they will just be under the USPS mail size restrictions, so I cannot build/mail anything bigger. I will not have time for any building since I arrive on 3 September and the launch starts the next day.
I am planning on doing my L1 with the Tethys on an H128W, sims to about 936 feet, no problem there. The L2 has me concerned since the J350 motor I want to use will send both rockets to over 5000 feet according to RockSim.
I could really use a recommendation on what would be the best way to recover either rocket from a J350 flight. The Ariel does have a payload bay, but I have not worked with altimeters, drogue chutes, etc. before, so I am trying to do the HPR fast study thing. Tethys has PML stock 48" chute and Ariel has PML stock 36" chute.
I am concerned that if I use a standard ejection charge, I will not get my rocket back as it floats out of site 5000+ feet downrange. I assume I will need some sort of electronics arrangement, the simpler, the better. I am short on time, but I can still get parts if needed. Would love to hear some ideas on what I can do to bring the rocket safely (and visibly) back home.
My other concern is the velocity which sims at over 1,000fps for both rockets. The Tethys will have internal epoxy fillets (after heavy roughing up of course) with 6oz glass and then PML foam will be added to the fin can. The external fillets will be made using West Systems 105/205 with 404 filler material (I also have 405 and 406 filler if one is better then the other). I will not be externally glassing the Quantum Tube since that is not recommended. Will the G10 fins/QT hold up under the launch velocities if I build strong internally?
Appreciate any help anyone can provide. I am +7 hours from central time, so please excuse me if I do not respond immediately to questions.
Thanks!