SCE to AUX
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Here are a few pics of a recent project that I hope to launch in the next few weeks. An Estes "SuperNova Payloader" with a video downlink system.
The rocket itself is essentially a stock build, with the only modifications being a stronger shockcord and the mounting of an SMA bulkhead connector in the tip of the nosecone to take the antenna.
The payload bay has been slotted to accept the camera lens, and drilled with a hole to allow access to the power switch. Because of the slot, the nose cone had to be attached using small screws. I may paint the payload section black/blue to match the rest of the body, or leave it clear to show off the guts. The camera is a 1.25" square color CCD with a wide angle lens, and the transmitter is a 500 mW 900 MHz unit from SuperCircuits. Power for both comes from a single 9V battery. There is a red LED installed to provide power indication. All the electronics are mounted on a fiberglass carrier which slides in and out easily for battery replacement. I plan to capture the video using a USB video digitizer and a laptop connected to the receiver on the ground. At the moment, there is no audio link, but the transmitter can handle it, so I may eventually use the audio channel for audio or telemetry.
I want to incorporate a mirror and fairing to angle the camera view down at the ground during ascent. It will mount just above the camera lens, over the slot in the payload tube. I have some very thin mirror material, and plan on making the fairing from balsa or foam. Do you think that the fairing is going to cause instability problems due to asymmetrical drag? Would a dummy fairing on the opposite side be a good idea to counteract this?
I plan to do initial flights on a D12-3 motor, but the total weight is 13.5 ounces, only 1/2 ounce under the maximum lift weight for a D12-3. Is this pushing things too much, or should I be OK? I am planning to use a 5' long launch rod to help stabilize the rocket off the pad, as I assume the liftoff will be slow. Eventually, I want to go with a 24mm RMS system and higher power loads, but initial tests seem to call for caution. First tests will be with the payload bay empty, just to check basic stability/recovery, then a few flights with a simulated payload weight. I REALLY don't want to prang this thing on the first launch with all the electronics onboard.
First flight tests are planned for the October GSSS launch on the 27th.
The rocket itself is essentially a stock build, with the only modifications being a stronger shockcord and the mounting of an SMA bulkhead connector in the tip of the nosecone to take the antenna.
The payload bay has been slotted to accept the camera lens, and drilled with a hole to allow access to the power switch. Because of the slot, the nose cone had to be attached using small screws. I may paint the payload section black/blue to match the rest of the body, or leave it clear to show off the guts. The camera is a 1.25" square color CCD with a wide angle lens, and the transmitter is a 500 mW 900 MHz unit from SuperCircuits. Power for both comes from a single 9V battery. There is a red LED installed to provide power indication. All the electronics are mounted on a fiberglass carrier which slides in and out easily for battery replacement. I plan to capture the video using a USB video digitizer and a laptop connected to the receiver on the ground. At the moment, there is no audio link, but the transmitter can handle it, so I may eventually use the audio channel for audio or telemetry.
I want to incorporate a mirror and fairing to angle the camera view down at the ground during ascent. It will mount just above the camera lens, over the slot in the payload tube. I have some very thin mirror material, and plan on making the fairing from balsa or foam. Do you think that the fairing is going to cause instability problems due to asymmetrical drag? Would a dummy fairing on the opposite side be a good idea to counteract this?
I plan to do initial flights on a D12-3 motor, but the total weight is 13.5 ounces, only 1/2 ounce under the maximum lift weight for a D12-3. Is this pushing things too much, or should I be OK? I am planning to use a 5' long launch rod to help stabilize the rocket off the pad, as I assume the liftoff will be slow. Eventually, I want to go with a 24mm RMS system and higher power loads, but initial tests seem to call for caution. First tests will be with the payload bay empty, just to check basic stability/recovery, then a few flights with a simulated payload weight. I REALLY don't want to prang this thing on the first launch with all the electronics onboard.
First flight tests are planned for the October GSSS launch on the 27th.