Launch Day (Inline deployment and splices)

Today we finaly got off our behinds and got some rockets in the air :)

I will be writing up a more detailed post as soon as i have all the footage compiled

Pressure Tests Ready for Next Week

Hey guys,

Ive decided its about time i had another launch day and finally get my Symmetrical and Asymmetrical splices in the air, so this week i have pressure tested both splices ready for a launch asap.

The Line-up will be:

• Nexus I (has one flight behind its back and was used to fly the Parachute system M.k.3 which crashed) (will be used first to fly the In-Line parachute system)
  
• Fracture I (Symmetric Splice)
• Fracture II (Asymmetric Splice)

All that's left to prepare now is the launchpad which needs a few minor additions and the rest of the Crew which i need to contact. :P

New Inline Deployment System using Air Commands STII

Escape Water Rockets Inline Deployment System

I decided to go for something simple first just to get us back in the air as we've been a long time grounded. The pod is following the rough design that Air Command produced for an Inline Deployment System and for the electronics i have ditched my RC system and bought a couple of STII's (Thanks George) to control our system.

Deployment System:
http://www.aircommandrockets.com/day86.htm

Servo Timers:
http://www.aircommandrockets.com/servo_timer_V2_0.htm

One problem I've always had is making sure my Correx disks are in fact circular and the right size, and as i wanted most things to be as accurate as possible this time round i came up with a solution which I'd like to share.

I remembered i had a Dremel cutter down the shed with a cutting disk holder attachment so i thought why not attach the disk of Correx onto this disk holder spin it and sand it while it moves. So that's what i did.

I bought 2 of the STII's from Air Command and i intend to do something different with the second one although i am not 100% sure what that is yet, the expandability of the timers will help me think though.

I reinforced the area on the skin for the servo with another piece of PET glued to the outside skin.



Thank you for reading

Doug

Hey guys

Hey Guys,

Unfortunately my old PC has finally kicked the bucket meaning I've lost alot of films and data, this is also the reason i haven't posted in a while, so I'm having to sort of catch up with where i am with my blog and where others are with there's.

With a heat wave supposedly approaching I'm itching to get the fleet ready for some intense testing and flights.

As mentioned briefly in my previous post i am left without a recovery system again so will be working on a new design over the coming week or so ready for the next launch day.

I am liking the progress others have made and am glad to be back on the news feed with the new PC :)

Regards Doug

Parachute system failure

Hey Guys,

This is going to be a very brief post as i am currently away in Singapore and is the reason i haven't posted anything in a while.

Just before i flew out here the maiden flight of Nexus I (4l Single Robinson Coupling) was performed for this we used the parachute system displayed in the previous post.
This Launch day ended in mainly disaster as the parachute system failed to work again :( our foot pump broke and launch pressure we worked out was only around 60-70psi. Overall a rather disappointing day. :(

However there were a few things that worked very well despite maybe needing a few alterations or repairs these included:

The launcher
Nexus 1 (escaped mainly unscathed)
Launch Abortion System (Had to be used once due to idiocy :P)

I will sort out and upload the footage plus a more in depth post when i return to England.

Regards Doug