Two Stage High Power Rocket Launch- "Airstart 1", September 18, 2010

Launched at the monthly TTRA launch in the Varn ranch in Plant City FL. "Airstart 1" is a scratch-built two stage rocket that has a 2.5" dia. upper stage and 3" dia. booster stage. The upper stage's fin/motor section rests in the four 6" deep slots in the top of the booster section. Aerotech H250-6 booster motor and H220 upper stage motor. Perfectflite timer for staging and a Perfectflite altimeter for drogue and main chute deployments. Successful second flight of this rocket, although the increased pressure from the H220 ignition damaged the cradle section of the booster (you can see one of the pieces of the cradle breaking away in two of the vidcaps at the end of the video), as well as a fin on the upper stage. Flight went straight as an arrow to 2,256 feet, with successful recovery of the camcorder section, upper stage rocket section and booster section, all on their separate parachutes sewn by Phylachutes. I'll re-do the booster cradle section using Blue Tube this time, which should handle the upper motor ignition pressure much better.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• high power
• rocket
• airstart
• two stage
• camcorder
• onboard video

[jmomenee]

Let me know how your two-stage flight goes. I think there is nothing cooler than the second stage igniting in mid-flight.

Btw- I usually set my second stage timer to fire about one second after fhe first stage motor burns out. That lets the rocket glide a bit before the second stage ignites. Not sure we talked about the timer to ignite the second stage.

You may want to sim the delay of the second stage igniting on Rocksim also to insure that the rocket has enough "upward" momentum.

[456ner]

@jmomenee I will. ill tell you when I uploaded the video. I got all the weight calculated and motors i am gonna use. The first video i upload the rocket will be flying its maiden flight on a G53 motor. The second will be a two stage with a G64 for the booster and a F20 in the upper stage. Then ill go all out a have a G64 in the booster and a G79 in the upper stage. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!

[jmomenee]

@456ner Best of luck! Sounds like it is all planned out and ready to fly. Please let me know when the videos are posted.

[jmomenee]

Yes- I use Duracell 9V batteries (a fresh one for every launch, even though most would say you don't need to do that) and they have never failed in 25+ launches.

[456ner]

@jmomenee So a 9V duracell batterie will fire a First Fire Jr? Apogee compontants are telling me to use a nicad batterie. Are they lying to me because i am getting ready to buy parts for my rocket.

[jmomenee]

@456ner They are telling you that to cover their behinds. But iff you want to be perfectly safe, buy the NiCad batteries- I did and used them for a while. Then I started using FRESH (use them only once) Duracells, with no problems in firing.

The best test you can do is, configure your rocket (without the motor) with the mainstage igniter system and igniter, use a Duracell battery, and confirm it ignites. Check with the manufacturer of the igniter system (timer?) to confirm how to ground test.

[fleafrier1]

Beautiful flight. No roll at all in boost phase, a slow 180 after staging, flawless recovery. Very professional.

[jmomenee]

There are resources on the web for parachute sizing, based on rocket weight.

I use the rocket software Rocksim to predict the performance of a rocket beforehand. Not sure of your rocket weight, but offhand, two G79 motors may not have the push you need for your booster. Plus igniting both can be a problem- see my video of my last two motor cluster launch. My advice would be to simulate your rocket using software before you buy the parts- at least it makes me feel better when i do that.