Twelve members traveled to the Maryland launch site on Saturday, January 16, to test various streamer recovery techniques.  It was a cold partly cloudy day with wind about 8mph.  We used both launch rails and had seven TARC launches with four different boosters. We recovered all our rockets and only broke one egg.  We improved our streamer descent rates.  Another good day, considering all the bad weather we have been having.

Bob Ekman flew a special light weight (380g) rocket to see if an E30 will reach 825ft.  He also tested two different altimeters (the PerfectFlite Alt15K and the Adept A1-TA) to see if there is any difference in the altitude recorded.  The two altimeters recorded 849 (altimeter C) and 851 (altimeter 1) feet respectively.

Ted Makowski flew his "bat" rocket again, but with a C6-4 motor.  It went twice as high as with a B6-4 motor - up to 220ft.

Objectives

• Try several new techniques to slow the descent.
• Test iron folds in the streamers, also sewing lines across the streamers.
• Use a yoke to separate the streamers.
• Refine our motor selections.
• Test a rocket under 380g with a E30 motor.
• Compare the PerfectFlite Alt15K and the Adept A1-TA altimeters.
• Teach more members how to assemble F24-4W motors.
• Learn more about the weight to motor ratios.

Lessons

• We did better with the igniters - no failed igniters.  We are looking into buying Quest Q2G2 igniters.
• The streamer separator yoke seemed to work well, but needs to be made "legal".
• Team 8186 still had the best descent rate, but the other teams are getting closer.
• We need to use some paper insertion between the streamers so they don't get tangled.
• The F24-4W seems to be our best motor for 440g rockets, with the 4sec ejection charge just before apogee.
• The F32-4T worked for over 600g, but the ejection time may be inconsistent.  They may want to try an F39.
• It is uncertain if the ironing and sewing stripes helped with slowing the descent.  We need another test.
• Using more chute protectors to add weight only caused them to get stuck in the tube.
• We need to test batteries with a meter to be they are more than 11.5v.