Doug
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06:48:11 pm on May 24, 2003 | # |
We had five successful launches today using our new Estes “Shuttle Express” rocket. Based on what we learned last weekend, I modified the rocket to use a clip-on three-foot by three inch streamer rather than the 12″ parachute. Our first three launches were with B4-2 engines, and each reached a height of maybe 600 feet. The second and third launches we used the shuttles, too; it was pretty cool to watch them separate from the rocket at turnover and glide back to earth.
For the fourth launch, we moved up to a B6-2 engine. We probably made 800 feet on that launch. The wisdom of the streamer quickly became apparent when the rocket landed almost twice as far down-range as when we’d used the B4-2’s.
Our fifth and final launch today used the dreaded C6-7 engine, the cause of two lost rockets last weekend. I was apprehensive about using that large an engine with that long a delay between the end of thrust and the firing of the recovery charge, but the wind was light and the skies were pretty clear, so I was persuaded to give it a try.
What a beautiful flight! We easily topped 1000 feet, maybe as much as 1200 feet. If it hadn’t been clear, we’d have certainly lost the rocket in the clouds. Besides the streamer, I’ve taken to adding “marking powder” (i.e. cheap baby powder) on top of the recovery wadding inside the rocket tube before launch, and I’m glad I did for this launch. Just as the rocket started to nose over at apogee, the charge blew and the marking powder blew out into a lovely, and highly visible white cloud against the blue sky. The rocket tube continued to trail “smoke” for probably half the descent, which combined with the long, red streamer made it highly visible. Again, this was a good thing; the rocket landed a good fifty yards from the launch point.
Fortunately, we’ve found a good launch site, a pair of full-size baseball practice diamonds side-by-side, right next to a football field. That gives us plenty of tree-free space to launch in.
Both kids have had a chance to launch now. Ian is having a friend stay over tomorrow night, so if the wind is right, we’ll launch our last two B6-2’s tomorrow. We also have a couple of new small rockets that use A-series engines to try.
