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 PAST
LAUNCHES |
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May 9, 2007
It
was an exciting afternoon; a day seemingly perfect for a launch.
This was an important flight, not only in the terms of needing
to find the affects of weather but because CBS 21 was also coming
to watch our progress. Although we had to plan quickly, we did
not slack in any means of calculations. Endless simulations
were run revolving around different masses and variables, attempting
to find the perfect rocket for our conditions.
After
some short interviews on our team, goals, and methods, we were
ready for take-off. Nervous and excited, we pressed the button
and waited for the motor to ignite. It roared skywards, leaving
behind a massive smoke cloud. The rocket arched into the wind,
but because of our calculations, it continued onwards towards
its 850 foot destination. For some reason, the delay charge
seemed to take much longer than normal, scaring us all with
recollections of previous failed attempts. But in the end, our
rocket didn't let us down. Out came both chutes, opening fully,
and providing a gentle descent back down.
The
three of us walked to the rocket as it lay on the ground, beeping
out a reading we were all too excited to hear. 8. 4. 4. Only
six feet (0.7%) away from the goal; an excellent score considering
our conditions. The payload time was recorded at 40.76 seconds,
also very close to what we needed. With an ejection slightly
sooner, we are expecting our time to be closer to our goal on
the average launch. Still, this turned out to be our best score
yet, and hopefully in the near future, we can see more of the
same to come. |
FLIGHT STATISTICS
Flight Number: 21
Length: 60.25 Inches
Mass: 1232.5 Grams
Altitude: 844 Feet
Time: 40.76 Seconds
Egg Safe: Yes
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May 8, 2007 - [video
8.75 MB]
Today
had become Sunday's rescheduled public launch, and with a quick
prep and set-up, the day promised a great launch. We had a few
friends and even Mr. Keaney, the Latin teacher and our guest
"button-pusher", come to watch our test flight. With
comparable weather conditions to our last launch, we calculated
the correct mass with equations made from past data. We took
out mass and finalized the last touches, headed off to the pad,
and got down to business.
The
rocket went into a perfectly straight ascent, roaring towards
the clouds. It reached apogee and shortly thereafter ejected
the parachutes. The wind picked up at the higher altitudes and
thus carried our rocket into the adjacent field. After the longer-than-usual
walk to retrieve the rocket, we were shocked at the results.
The altimeter reported only 813 feet. Even being under in altitude,
we scored a flight time of almost 53 seconds, well above our
needed.
This
flight showed us how important even the most minute details
in weather and launch conditions are. It would be back to the
drawing board for us, maybe not for design flaws, but we needed
to solve the problems we were experiencing in one way or another;
our success depended on it. |
FLIGHT STATISTICS
Flight Number: 20
Length: 60.25 Inches
Mass: 1266.1 Grams
Altitude: 813 Feet
Time: 52.92 Seconds
Egg Safe: Yes
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May 5, 2007
Its
been a while since qualifications, but our work is not yet over.
The finals are two weeks away and we still have to work as hard
now as we did in the beginning. The rocket has flown three times
since then, but with minimal changes and mediocre results. Aside
from substituting a larger parachute for the egg, the rocket
remains the same. Still, we are recognizing more variables in
our flights and taking precautions in how to reduce their effects
on our flights.
Today's
launch was one of the first with superb weather. Wind was at
a minimal (~5 mph) and the temperature was suitable. We were
joined at the launch by family and friends, all of us expecting
a flight better than any other. With the field crops growing
quickly, our flight time was rapidly diminishing. We are counting
on good data results to ensure we can finalize any changes before
it gets too late.
We were ready to launch, and Col. David Conners, our guest 'button-pusher',
seemed so too. Counting down and lifting up, the rocket shot
straight towards the sky. The rocket was quickly at apogee with
a blaze of fire and a plume of smoke. The ejection, although
late, separated the two parts, releasing the parachutes. The
rocket gently drifted back towards Earth and was recovered safely.
The time, although excellent at 44.91 seconds, didn't fully
represent our realistic time because we are 30 feet below target.
Still, we now know fully what conditions have the most effect
on our trajectory and we have a new found insight on how to
achieve 850 feet, regardless of location and weather conditions.
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FLIGHT STATISTICS
Flight Number: 19
Length: 60.25 Inches
Mass: 1272.7 Grams
Altitude: 822 Feet
Time: 44.91 Seconds
Egg Safe: Yes
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April 7, 2007
Today
was our last chance; we either made it or not. Waking up at
six in the morning on a weekend is rough for a teenager, but
if that's what it takes to compete, that's what we'll do.
The morning was cold and brisk, and the wind was comparable
to the previous day. The conditions would provide similar
flight results, which we were pleased about. After calling
FAA and prepping the rocket for a test flight, we head out
to the field around 7:30.
From
the previous flight, we calculated that we would need to remove
around six grams of mass to achieve the target altitude. All
we had to do was pull out some of the clay we had put in and
we would have it exact.
I
believe I can say we were all shaking from tense nerves. There
was nothing left to do but to go for it. We thought about
doing more tests, but we didn't want to risk the possibility
of something breaking and ruining us for good. The team stood
together, with family watching closely, ready to go.
The rocket took off, fast and bright, towards the sky. After
seemingly countless seconds, the rocket separated, sending
the two parts back down to Earth on their own parachutes.
Normally, they drift for hundreds of feet, but for some reason,
this flight brought both parts of the rocket right back to
us. Landing about 10 to 20 feet from the launch pad (not to
mention nearly hitting Scott where he stood), we quickly grabbed
both parts in anticipation of hearing our results.
Our flight time for the egg was short, but still acceptable.
The real score would depend almost entirely on the altitude.
I ran quickly to the nosecone and counted the tones. Beep,
Beep, Beep, Beep... 8. 4. 8. I couldn't believe what I had
heard. 848. We were only two feet away from a perfect flight.
There was only one thing left; the egg. We unscrewed the rivet
and carefully pulled out the padding. There it was, just as
safe as it was before it had flown. Our score was official,
and it looked good enough to send us to the next round. 11.85.
It was worthy of a top 10 flight in Nationals from last years
score, so we were ecstatic with the result. Our team would
like to send the sincerest of appreciation to all of those
who have helped, supported, and cheered us on. |
FLIGHT STATISTICS
Flight Number: 15
Length: 60.85 Inches
Mass: 1272.6 Grams
Altitude: 848 Feet
Time: 35.15 Seconds
Egg Safe: Yes
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Today,
Tom was again with us to give advice and supervise our last
qualification attempt. Before we would actually go for it, we
decided it would be smart to shoot off a test flight beforehand.
We
were overshooting our goal by 50 feet, so we had to improvise
a method in which to add mass. We added about 35 grams of modeling
clay to the booster and assembled the motor. It was now ready
to fly.
With
anticipation growing, as well as the wind speed, we launched
quickly. The rocket boosted into a straight trajectory, peaked,
and fired its ejection charge. The flight was perfect; not a
single step failing. It drifted gently back down to the ground,
awaited eagerly by the team to check the outcome. From our scores
of the previous launches, I don't think any of us could have
expected to have come so close to our goal. The altimeter registered
840 feet, the closest we have come so far. We were all excited
at the results, but we still had work to do, nerves to calm,
and calculations to consider. We raced home to make slight variations
and prepare for the next flight.
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FLIGHT STATISTICS
Flight Number: 14
Length: 60.85 Inches
Mass: 1278.6 Grams
Altitude: 840 Feet
Time: 38.18 Seconds
Egg Safe: Yes
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