It was a very cold day with wind gusts above 20 mph. We launched 4 TARC rockets, 2 a second time.  We were a little disappointed with the altitudes and glad we didn't try to qualify. We had 3 disqualifications -- one broken egg, and two lost parachutes.  The strong wind took 150 feet off our height and 10 seconds off the decent.  We had some successes, but learned several good lessons.

• We recovered all the altimeters and rocket parts.
• We downloaded all six altimeter data sets.
• No one froze to death.
• Operations went smoothly.

Lessons

• We didn't fill out the data sheets after the flights.
• We need to weigh each rocket before launch.
• We need to try more E9-8s.
• We need to tape the nose cone and cargo section together.
• We need to set the launch rod angle with the wind, not into the wind (see diagram below).
• We need to do better on collecting timing data from timers -- no one wrote down the stop watch times.
• The BT80s used altimeter #1 and the BT70s used altimeter #2.
• We still need a brighter computer for downloading altimeter data.

Our TARC Rockets

Why Our Rockets Didn't Go Higher

Pictures

BT80-1 Ready

BT80-2 Fire

BT70-2 Ready