Over the weekend, my first rocket with an altimeter (54mm in diameter with a G76G-7) suffered a premature deployment of both the drogue and main outputs. From the ground, the boost was arrow straight until suddenly it stopped in the sky and the parachutes came out apporximately 2-3 seconds into the flight. I'd guess that it was right near motor burnout. The rocket landed perfectly a few hundred feet downrange.
Onboard was a brand new RRC2 mini with a single vent port (5/64"). My question is what would cause such a premature delpoyment? Both the drouge and the main popped at nearly the same time, and the motor backup fired on the way down. After landing, the altimeter beeped out 300 ft- the altitude that the main was set to deploy. However, the rocket was higher than that, checking the RockSim predictions it should have been between 430-630 feet (which sounds right).
I'm laughing at everyone who overbuilds right now, as this simple paper rocket with the lightweight tubes from Red Arrow deployed at 200+ mph on the way up and suffered no damage whatsoever- no ripped parachute, zipper, or chiped paint.
EDIT: Vent port was 5/64" in diameter
Onboard was a brand new RRC2 mini with a single vent port (5/64"). My question is what would cause such a premature delpoyment? Both the drouge and the main popped at nearly the same time, and the motor backup fired on the way down. After landing, the altimeter beeped out 300 ft- the altitude that the main was set to deploy. However, the rocket was higher than that, checking the RockSim predictions it should have been between 430-630 feet (which sounds right).
I'm laughing at everyone who overbuilds right now, as this simple paper rocket with the lightweight tubes from Red Arrow deployed at 200+ mph on the way up and suffered no damage whatsoever- no ripped parachute, zipper, or chiped paint.
EDIT: Vent port was 5/64" in diameter
Last edited: