Modifying AT reloadable closures for use as interstage coupler

[J Blatz]

Let's say that a fella, a friend of mine, a guy I know, is wanting to flying a minimum diameter 29mm job using the upper stage motor as the interstage (ie approx 1" of the upper stage motor slides into the top of the booster airfame and holds things together until upper stage ignition). This used to be easily done with single use motors which didn't have thrust rings. Well now I believe all the AT single use 29mm motors ave thrust rings (maybe the F50 doesn't?) so that option is out.

Could the aft closure on an AT 29MM reloadable be turned down so that the thrust ring part is removed? Seems doable, right?

 

[ChrisAttebery]

I believe that Rouse Tech made those for 75 or 98mm.

 

[mikec]

Well now I believe all the AT single use 29mm motors ave thrust rings...

The DMS motors have glued-on cardboard thrust rings which could be cut off without too much trouble.

 

[J Blatz]

The DMS motors have glued-on cardboard thrust rings which could be cut off without too much trouble.

Not the G class ones - G75, G80, and G125 all use a case that has a molded-in thrust ring.

 

[dhbarr]

CTI makes a tapered aft closure for 29mm, but not 24mm.

 

[KenRico]

CTI loads also have the power pellet for ignition. . Although cost is same of more than dms

Kenny

 

[AdAstraPerAspera]

Yes it could be done. Not sure if it makes it EX, but it should work, and not affect the case.

 

[kzimmerman]

Worth mentioning, Composite motors can't be gap staged like BP motors, so you will need some sort of electronics to fire the 2nd stage. Another area to explore, maybe is the 29mm BP motors currently being offered by estes if you don't have the electronics capability to fire the upper stage.