In
preparation for the National fly-off on May 20, we headed out to Middletown
to test our rocket. We rebuilt our engine stage since our qualification
round because the fin was broken.We launched our TARC rocket three times. While we didn't get the altitude we hoped for, the launches were all successful and we recovered everything, including the eggs.
- No disqualifications, good recovery mechanisms.
- Recovery team was there for the landings.
- Good practice sessions, ready for nationals.
Lessons
- We compensated for the light wind with just a small angle North with the wind.
- We had problems loading the altimeter. It seemed to trigger for no apparent reason. We tried new batteries and different altimeters. Just touching it with bubble wrap or handing off to another person seemed to trigger it. We had this problem before. Once we got it loaded and stable, it seemed to stay ready. We don't have a good solution to this issue.
Our Test Launches
| Rocket |
Engine/ Weight |
Cargo/ Chutes |
Recovery | Results |
|
BT80-1 Test Launch 1 Video Score: 49 |
E9-6 286g |
Egg, Altimeter, Chute1-14in with 1in spill, Chute2-18in, Chute protector |
Vertical launch rod, launch went SW good recovery, NE 300ft, close to pond in a tree |
Height: 764ft altimeter Time: 58sec altimeter Altimeter Data |
|
BT80-1 Test Launch 2 Video Score: 102 |
E9-6 286g |
Egg, Altimeter, Chute1-14in with 1in spill, Chute2-18in, Chute protector |
Launch rod 15d NE launch went NE, good recovery, N 300ft |
Height: 704ft altimeter Time: 39sec altimeter Altimeter Data |
|
BT80-1 Test Launch 3 Video Score: 63 |
E9-6 286g |
Egg, Altimeter, Chute1-14in with 2in spill, Chute2-18in, Chute protector |
Launch rod 5d NE, vertical launch, good recovery, N 300ft |
Height: 750ft altimeter Time: 58sec altimeter Altimeter Data |
Pictures
Loading rocket |
Problem with altimeter |
Launch rod |
Ready |
Launch |
Gone |
Good recovery |
Start running |