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Once again we traveled to the National Pike Park for a launch. The
weather was great - light winds and temperature over 40 degrees.
The only problem was the muddy field. Only Team 3 made it
to the launch site. The other teams were working on their rockets.
Objectives:
- Learn how to build and fly the
reloadable E18-4s.
- Try altimeter D and E (new this
year).
- Reduce altimeter hole with tape and
pin holes to reduce altimeter spikes.
- See if the Black Rocket locking
mechanism gets better straight flights.
- Reduce overall weight to under 400g
by reducing egg packing.
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Scarlet Rocket
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Lessons
- The E18 and E28 engines worked
great. We can add weight.
- The altimeter holder worked great.
- The E28-7 gave a significant spike,
but the E18-4 had no spikes. We think the long delay created too
great a direction change on the altimeter unit when ejected. We need
to stay with the 4 second delays.
- The smaller altimeter holes seemed
to work OK, and may have reduced the spikes.
- The 16 inch chutes came down a
little too fast. We need to try the 18 inch X chutes.
- All flights carried 2 eggs
successfully, but we did crack one egg loading it.
- The angle of the launch rod should
be reset for every launch. We need to use the plumb-bob.
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Black Knight Rocket
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Launches
|
Rocket |
Weight |
Engine |
Chute |
Electronics |
Results |
Comments |
Black Rocket
Launch 1 |
397g |
E18-4 |
16in |
Altimeter E
(data) |
847ft,
40sec
score: 107 |
Straight flight |
Black Rocket
Launch 2
(video) |
397g |
E28-7 |
16in |
Altimeter D
(data) |
851ft,
42sec
score: 107 |
Very straight flight, the E28 really took off. |
Orange Rocket
Launch 1
(video) |
420g |
E18-4 |
18in |
Altimeter 2
(data) |
781ft,
63sec
score: 67 |
Straight flight, slight wobble in first 100 feet. The larger chute
caught some updrafts. |
Black Rocket
Launch 3
(video) |
398g |
E18-4 |
16in |
Altimeter D
(data) |
820ft,
40sec
score: 80 |
Slight weather cocking. The wind changed direction 180degrees,
and we didn't reset the angle of the launch rod. |
Data
(Excel
Spreadsheet)
Pictures
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