NSL 2024: A 24" Diameter 1/6th SpaceX Dragon Pad Abort Test

[Daddyisabar]

I wasnt at 60 Acres for the first test, but I was at the Sod Farm last week for the second, and that is a fun rocket to watch fly! It will always keep you on your toes!

Its looking good!

You know it's going to be fun when the LCO makes everyone stand, ready themselves with bent knees and eyes on the prize!

Fanboy looking forward to more vids and reports!

 

[Daddyisabar]

The great thing about the San Louis Valley site is that far far away pad for the big dream boat rockets with really big limits. Get to ride in the TAPS nice truck or ATV out to the pad, just like NASA. Soooo cool. Level 3 space out there for the beautiful cover girl rockets.

 

[jpoehlman]

1/12 scale test flight 2 was nearly perfect! Video link below.

Improvements over test flight 1 included:

• A new model was printed in short order with adjustments to accommodate a 1010 rail for launch guidance.
• 8x D16-4FJ motors all with the same batch number
• ignitor resistance was measured, paired by similar measurements, with pairs spilt on opposite sides of the model
• designed and build high current ignition relay box (details below)
• flown in lite winds

Relay box details:


Components were installed in a 3D printed box:



On to the flight, we proved the model is stable! Ignition had a slight delay left to right, but the 1010 rail kept the model vertical. Motor burnout was also not equal, but the model righted itself to the flight path!

The video you have been waiting for: Dragon test flight 2

Landing success for the proof of concept not a high priority for this test flight. There was a successful recovery, but despite a near perfect ejection timing from the D16-4 motors, the parachute did not deploy until the very last possible movement.




We still have a lot to do on the 1/6th scale version to fly at NSL West. Good news though, we're feeling confident in the stability of this odd-rock and have learned a lot in these test flights.

 

[markg]

Looks great, a very cool looking short little cluster model. Looking forward to seeing video of the 1/6th version.

Cheers - mark

 

[Gus]

1/12 scale test flight 2 was nearly perfect! Video link below.

Improvements over test flight 1 included:

• A new model was printed in short order with adjustments to accommodate a 1010 rail for launch guidance.
• 8x D16-4FJ motors all with the same batch number
• ignitor resistance was measured, paired by similar measurements, with pairs spilt on opposite sides of the model
• designed and build high current ignition relay box (details below)
• flown in lite winds

Relay box details:
View attachment 642293

Components were installed in a 3D printed box:
View attachment 642292


On to the flight, we proved the model is stable! Ignition had a slight delay left to right, but the 1010 rail kept the model vertical. Motor burnout was also not equal, but the model righted itself to the flight path!

The video you have been waiting for: Dragon test flight 2

Landing success for the proof of concept not a high priority for this test flight. There was a successful recovery, but despite a near perfect ejection timing from the D16-4 motors, the parachute did not deploy until the very last possible movement.

View attachment 642296


We still have a lot to do on the 1/6th scale version to fly at NSL West. Good news though, we're feeling confident in the stability of this odd-rock and have learned a lot in these test flights.

Absolutely wonderful! The model is magnificent but as someone who has spent so much time working with boiler plates, it’s just fantastic to see someone putting in the same kind of effort. Really a treat to be watching this. Keep up the great work.

 

[Daddyisabar]

It looked like one group of motors ignited just a tad early but it made no difference. Great job!

 

[rharshberger]

Here is the RSO/Launch Directors view.....and with TRF's own Lugnut56 as LCO on the mic.
View attachment 20240413_123152.mp4

 

[Daddyisabar]

Draggy oddrocs and their need for zero delay. No coast.