Spool Rocket Launch (Sprocket)

[edwardw]

The spool rocket I built was a section of thin walled PVC and only 1 CD, in the forward position. The launch lug was a soda straw and hot glue secured everything together. The ejection charge was allowed to go right through the hole in the disk and out to open air.

I got out of my class and headed to my local park with spool rocket (now called sprocket), some assorted 18mm motors and a launch pad.

All three flights went really well. Each time I had a crowd of kids on recess watching me. The first one was a B6-4. Went up and came down a ways before ejecting and throwing motor out the back. Found it okay and no damage.

Next one was a C6-3 because I wanted a little less delay. Took off straight away and pretty high, ejection charge went off on the way down and again ejected the motor. No damage

Third launch was a C6-5. Went up perfect and came down to about 50 feet and fired the charge. Motor didn't eject and this induced a rapid spin of the rocket. It was cool. Kids loved it.


I make EX PVC motors and always have wanted a CHAD way to flight test them. Now I'll just convert them to sprockets for flight tests and know that they will be stable.

 

[BlueNinja]

You could make the rocket one CD and a motor with the PVC EXs.

 

[Chuck Rudy]

If you're in the Home Depot you may be able to talk them out of one of the small one pieces wire spools, which are made of plastic and weight about 6 ounces, then use a D or E on them. We have one here which landed on a rock and broke, a little epoxy and it went off again and is still going strong. All you'll need is a 24 mm motor tube and a bit of sandpaper to make the hole large enough to handle the tube.............and oh yeah a parachute.