SHOWTIME: Level 2 Re-Attempt After Epic Fail. MAC Performance Firestick XL With Redundant Dual-Deploy. Project Hurricane is Go For Launch.

[Orien]

Fail Thread: Certing Level 2 tomorrow with a CTI K675 Skidmark!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!! | The Rocketry Forum

Build Thread: Project Hurricane is a go. L2 Re-Attempt. Mac Performance Firestick XL. 100% Composite Materials. (Build Thread) | The Rocketry Forum

Flight Stats:
Motor: 54mm 3-grain CTI J355R (87% J)
Projected Altitude: 5899'
Projected Max. Velocity: 736 FPS (502 mph)
Projected Max. Acceleration: 8.96 g's
Electronics: Dual RRC2L's, Marco Polo tracker, Mobius camera.

 

[tsmith1315]

Good luck! What's the weight?

 

[Orien]

Over in the Propulsion Department, motor assembly got underway. The forward closure was epoxied to the top fuel grain. Then a hole was cut into the ejection charge well and the BP was drained out, replaced with insulation, and secured with masking tape.



Next, I added two o-rings - one to the forward closure and one to the nozzle assembly. These were greased liberally with lithium grease.


The inside aft end of the motor casing also got a liberal application of grease.


The motor assembly was inserted into the casing until everything was seated tightly. Finally, the aft closure was secured in place. No rattle. Good to go.



The fully assembled motor was then inserted into the rocket and the snap ring retainer installed.

 

[Orien]

Official Liftoff Weight: 10 lbs, 4.2 oz.

 

[Orien]

Good luck! What's the weight?

See above.

 

[rocketgeek101]

Good luck! Why remove the ejection charge from the motor?

 

[Orien]

Good luck! Why remove the ejection charge from the motor?

I have a redundant dual deployment system that is more predictable. I don’t want to risk an early deployment nor a motor/altimeter charge firing simultaneously.

I just packed all the charges into the av bay bulkheads, wired the squibs to the terminal blocks, then took it outside to safely check continuity. Once confirmed, i disconnected the batteries and put the whole thing in its own box for transport.

 

[Theory]

Go time!!!

 

[Orien]

Somewhere in Florida’s interior…


The mobile launch platform (manufactured by Subaru) is approximately half way to the launch site.

And you already know Mach 7 gotta be rockin’ everywhere he goes.

 

[Orien]

(deleted duplicate)

 

[Orien]

Sunrise over Lake O

 

[jmasterj]

Good luck with your flight!

 

[Orien]

 

[Theory]

Time to light that candle!!!

 

[Orien]

Launch delayed due to technical difficulties. She is on the pad and armed.

 

[Orien]

Touchdown confirmed!! Recovery operations underway!! More to come!

 

[JimH]

Outstanding and CONGRATULATIONS!!! While we're all happy for you, WE NEED PICTURES!!! lol

 

[David_Stack]

It's been an eventful journey, so you should relish this moment.

Congratulations!

 

[crossfire]

Great job. Where is your launch site?

 

[Orien]

hard landing on the road cracked the airframe. I think it’s a little too much to call it successful. But it’s easily repairable and will fly again soon. Onboard video successful! Will upload soon. Weather cocking caused a high-speed deployment. Must’ve been doing at least 100 mph. Everything held together. Just over one mile in altitude. Visible entire flight.

 

[Buckeye]

Curious to see your altimeter data and the landing speed.

 

[Zbench]

Confused how weather cocking caused a high speed deployment at 1 mile high. Altimeter malfunction?

 

[Orien]

Confused how weather cocking caused a high speed deployment at 1 mile high. Altimeter malfunction?

Ballistic trajectory.

 

[Orien]

I will post all data and much better photos soon. I have a long trip back home ahead of me. Thanks for all the support everyone!
These are just a couple video grabs:

 

[Theory]

Surprising amount of damage on landing on a tail cone…

 

[Tractionengines]

Curious to see your altimeter data and the landing speed.

Surprising amount of damage on landing on a tail cone…

+1 on this. Cracking the airframe like that took some force, (or just REALLY bad luck ).

Sorry to see you have issues like this, again. At least you said this seems repairable.

 

[Orien]

+1 on this. Cracking the airframe like that took some force, (or just REALLY bad luck ).

Sorry to see you have issues like this, again. At least you said this seems repairable.

Maybe the high-speed separation? I just watched the onboard video. It was pretty violent, but enough to break the airframe? Recovered fine otherwise. It doinked pretty hard tail first right on the pavement. You can see it clearly in the video. Two feet to the left. Maybe three...

 

[Orien]

 

[tim cubbedge]

Labelle field no better than SRA. What was your velocity under the main? I cracked a fin at SRA landing on road.

 

[Orien]

Impact.