Explorer Post 1010
Lockheed Martin Exploring Program
Launch December 20, 2008
 
We traveled to our Maryland launch site on a late December Saturday.  We hoped to develop launch experience using composite motors, real eggs and the altimeters.  We also plan to test a 3 inch diameter Invader rocket.

The wind was close to 10mph, and the temperature was about 35 degrees.  It was cold and difficult to conduct the launch.

Lessons

  • The table helped with preparation.
  • Old ejection charges need to be checked.
  • Long shock cords may not be a benefit.
  • 24"x chute is about right for a 400g rocket.


Launches

Rocket Engine Cargo Chute Weight Results Comments
Invader Test 1
 (video)
E15-4 egg 24" X 401g about 600ft
19sec
Chute didn't open, was tangled in long shock cord.  Egg didn't survive.
Invader Test 2
 (video)
E18-4 egg and altimeter E 24" X 435g 643ft, 41sec Nice flight but landed on the parking lot and damaged a fin.  The egg survived. (altimeter data)
V2 Test 1
 (video)
G64-7 240g weight in nose 36" 1000g about 800ft  Ejection charge didn't fire.  Big lawn dart.

Data

Pictures

 V2 lawn dart
Painful recovery
Copyright 2008 Lockheed Martin Exploring Program
Updated: December 25, 2008