Rocketry project
Well, I have been doing this by email list, but I think it is time to migrate to a blog. Also, this makes it so that I am updating my blog again, and that is not a bad thing!
http://www.n-prize.com/ caught my interest a while ago, and I started thinking about how to go about doing it. There are three basic challenges that need to be addressed; propulsion, guidance and tracking. Anyway, I don't think I have a hope of winning the prize (which expires in September of 2011) but I very much want to put something into orbit for cheap. So, the first step is to learn more about rocketry.
Propulsion is the most expensive of the three, though it is probably the easiest to figure out. Guidance and tracking then are what are on the plate for now. Sadly, I have no experience at building avionics, but Model Rocketry is a great training ground for such things. As a booster for experimental avionics packages, I decided to build a Delta II model, complete with strap-on boosters that separate after burnout. As I was addressing the challenges involved with that, I decided that a Delta IV Heavy would be the best way to go, as there are only two strap-on boosters instead of nine, and all three of them are lit on the ground, instead of the 7 on the ground and 3 in the air for the Delta II.
I have been developing hardware and support infrastructure for these rockets, and the first test launches are coming up on Sunday, July 19, 2009. I have built a weather station (complete with Weather Vane, Anemometer, 3 Thermometers, Hygrometer, and Barometer). I have a launch controller and am currently working on a launch pad. Pictures of all of these things, as well as the launch site can be found here.
All of my launches are going to be done in the pre-dawn hour for three reasons. 1) This is when the air is most calm. I don't want any wind to mess with the angle of attack on the rocket, as the rocket's fins are undersized and only stable for small angels of attack. 2) The darkness will make tracking easier for higher altitude flights. We will be able to track the ascent by the flame of the rocket, and I have a reflective parachute and a 10,000,000 candle power flashlight for tracking the descent. 3) Because the light of the Sun is less than an hour away, we will be able to recover the rockets in daylight, which is a major plus.
Also, I need help in the following tasks.
• Weather Station: Joe Dygert has agreed to do this and will be there on Sunday.
• Range Safety: Their job is to make sure that there aren't any airplanes in the area, and that the pad is properly cleared. My brother (Brian) and my Dad are on this. Also, if anyone has a radio that can listen in on 122.7, this would be a most welcome item. (thanks to Heather for pointing that out)
• Pad Technician: Gets everything set up on the pad. More than likely, this will be the same person who is the Launch Operator.
• Recovery: Once the sun is up, they go get the rocket. The only one who is specifically disallowed for this job is Father Jeff Norfolk.
• Launch Operator: Listens to the calls on the radio, at T-15 seconds, they arm the controller and at T-0, they push the button that makes the rocket go.
• Spotters: They are responsible for reporting the angle of the highest point (compass direction and elevation, both in degrees) and the landing point (compass direction) from their position.
Finally, I have three fully functional GRMS/FRS hand held radios and one that only works for receiving. Given the size of the launch area, we will need a radio for each of the spotting locations, one for the weather station, one for the Launch Operator, one for range safety and one for the launch coordinator (me). The launch operator, range saftey and weather station locations will also be spotting locations, so the overlap should make things easier.
http://www.n-prize.com/ caught my interest a while ago, and I started thinking about how to go about doing it. There are three basic challenges that need to be addressed; propulsion, guidance and tracking. Anyway, I don't think I have a hope of winning the prize (which expires in September of 2011) but I very much want to put something into orbit for cheap. So, the first step is to learn more about rocketry.
Propulsion is the most expensive of the three, though it is probably the easiest to figure out. Guidance and tracking then are what are on the plate for now. Sadly, I have no experience at building avionics, but Model Rocketry is a great training ground for such things. As a booster for experimental avionics packages, I decided to build a Delta II model, complete with strap-on boosters that separate after burnout. As I was addressing the challenges involved with that, I decided that a Delta IV Heavy would be the best way to go, as there are only two strap-on boosters instead of nine, and all three of them are lit on the ground, instead of the 7 on the ground and 3 in the air for the Delta II.
I have been developing hardware and support infrastructure for these rockets, and the first test launches are coming up on Sunday, July 19, 2009. I have built a weather station (complete with Weather Vane, Anemometer, 3 Thermometers, Hygrometer, and Barometer). I have a launch controller and am currently working on a launch pad. Pictures of all of these things, as well as the launch site can be found here.
All of my launches are going to be done in the pre-dawn hour for three reasons. 1) This is when the air is most calm. I don't want any wind to mess with the angle of attack on the rocket, as the rocket's fins are undersized and only stable for small angels of attack. 2) The darkness will make tracking easier for higher altitude flights. We will be able to track the ascent by the flame of the rocket, and I have a reflective parachute and a 10,000,000 candle power flashlight for tracking the descent. 3) Because the light of the Sun is less than an hour away, we will be able to recover the rockets in daylight, which is a major plus.
Also, I need help in the following tasks.
• Weather Station: Joe Dygert has agreed to do this and will be there on Sunday.
• Range Safety: Their job is to make sure that there aren't any airplanes in the area, and that the pad is properly cleared. My brother (Brian) and my Dad are on this. Also, if anyone has a radio that can listen in on 122.7, this would be a most welcome item. (thanks to Heather for pointing that out)
• Pad Technician: Gets everything set up on the pad. More than likely, this will be the same person who is the Launch Operator.
• Recovery: Once the sun is up, they go get the rocket. The only one who is specifically disallowed for this job is Father Jeff Norfolk.
• Launch Operator: Listens to the calls on the radio, at T-15 seconds, they arm the controller and at T-0, they push the button that makes the rocket go.
• Spotters: They are responsible for reporting the angle of the highest point (compass direction and elevation, both in degrees) and the landing point (compass direction) from their position.
Finally, I have three fully functional GRMS/FRS hand held radios and one that only works for receiving. Given the size of the launch area, we will need a radio for each of the spotting locations, one for the weather station, one for the Launch Operator, one for range safety and one for the launch coordinator (me). The launch operator, range saftey and weather station locations will also be spotting locations, so the overlap should make things easier.