Post 1010 Rocketry Project 2012: Launch

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Eight members from all three teams and several adults traveled to the Virginia launch site on Saturday, March 31. It was another beautiful day, with wind under 5 mph, and a little overcast. We used the 7ft launch rail for all the launches. We had some very nice launches and all rockets were recovered. Each team completed their final TARC qualification launch.

We are ready to go to the National Fly-off on May 11 and 12!
Objectives

Each team complete their last qualification launch.

Team 13198 will use their new rocket.

Team 13200 will go back to using their old altimeter.

Red Rocket B lue Rocket

Lessons

We angled the rail just a few degrees with the wind, and made changes as the wind increased.

On their first flight, Team 13200 had one parachute line not on the connector clip, so it came down fast. Mr. Ekman caused the problem when he untangled the lines the night before.

Teams 13199 and 13200 had several Quest igniter failures. We should always take additional igniters, rubber bands and tape to the launch rail so we can switch quickly. Team 13199 switched to a copperhead on their last flight.

Teams 13198 and 13199 teams used the new altimeters. Team went back to their old altimeter, because of issues in the last launch. All teams had serious spikes at ejection and at landing. It could be slight movement of the eggs and the altimeter. Perhaps we should isolate the altimeter from the eggs with a bulkhead and bind it to the rocket tube.

When we break an egg, we need to dispose of it properly and not leave it in the parking lot.

Launches

Rocket	Engine	Cargo	Cargo Recovery	Booster Recovery	Weight	Results	Comments
Black test 1 Team 13198 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter M	18" chute thin	connected	386g	821ft, 51sec	Nice flight, one egg broke Score 33
Black test 2 Team 13198 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter M	18" chute thin	connected	390g	785ft, 43.46sec	Nice flight, slight wind cock Qualification Score 15.00
Red test 1 Team 13199 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter L	24" X-chute	connected	380g	849ft, 54sec	Nice flight, but too high Score 70
Red test 2 Team 13199 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter L	24" X-chute	connected	390g	770ft, 44sec	Nice flight, but too low Score 30
Red test 3 Team 13199 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter L	24" X-chute	connected	386g	814ft, 48.25sec	Nice flight Qualification Score 17.75
Blue test 1 Team 13200 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter F	24" X-chute	connected	382g	750ft, 36sec	Nice flight, parachute line not connected, came down too fast
Blue test 2 Team 13200 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter F	24" X-chute	connected	392g	812ft, 46sec	Nice flight, 875ft altimeter spike Score 12
Blue test 3 Team 13200 video	E30-7T	2 eggs, altimeter F	24" X-chute	connected	384g	742ft, 44.54sec	Wobbly flight Qualification Score 58.00

Altimeter Data New Altimeters (Excel format)

Altimeter Data Old Altimeters (Excel format)

   Team 13198                                                                             Team 13199

   Team 13200                                                                             Rocket Preparation

   Recoverying the Rocket                                                           Qualification Check In

   Checking the Altimeter                                                            Checking the Eggs