Today I successfully launched my first amateur rocket and simultaneously obtained level 1 certification with the National Association of Rocketry.
I launched a Norad Pro Maxx rocket, which is a kit-built rocket from LOC-Precision, with an H-128W-M motor. Winds were heavy (to the point that I felt them pushing against my car as I drove up to the launch site), but we set up the rocket, and hooked it up on the launch pad. Then we waited for a lull in the winds. Waiting, waiting, trying to guess whether or not they're calming down, or if it'll pick back up in a second. Waiting, waiting.... NOW! We launch the rocket! The H motor lights up with a precise roar and shoots for the sky. Burnout occurs quickly, and we watch the rocket as it starts arcing over, travelling further than I thought it would given the 80 degree launch angle. POOF. The ejection charge pushes the parachute out and we have successful recovery system deployment! The wind carries the rocket back over the launch pad and keeps going...
With the help of a couple sharp-eyed members of the Indiana Rocketry Society we found the rocket in a cornfield (of course we found it in a cornfield, this IS Indiana after all) about 0.5-.75 miles from the launch pad (which, by the way, was also in a cornfield!). Everything looks intact, except for a small "zipper" at the parachute attachment point of about 2-3 inches. Slap some 1/16" or 1/32" plywood over that and it'll be good to go again :)
I launched a Norad Pro Maxx rocket, which is a kit-built rocket from LOC-Precision, with an H-128W-M motor. Winds were heavy (to the point that I felt them pushing against my car as I drove up to the launch site), but we set up the rocket, and hooked it up on the launch pad. Then we waited for a lull in the winds. Waiting, waiting, trying to guess whether or not they're calming down, or if it'll pick back up in a second. Waiting, waiting.... NOW! We launch the rocket! The H motor lights up with a precise roar and shoots for the sky. Burnout occurs quickly, and we watch the rocket as it starts arcing over, travelling further than I thought it would given the 80 degree launch angle. POOF. The ejection charge pushes the parachute out and we have successful recovery system deployment! The wind carries the rocket back over the launch pad and keeps going...
With the help of a couple sharp-eyed members of the Indiana Rocketry Society we found the rocket in a cornfield (of course we found it in a cornfield, this IS Indiana after all) about 0.5-.75 miles from the launch pad (which, by the way, was also in a cornfield!). Everything looks intact, except for a small "zipper" at the parachute attachment point of about 2-3 inches. Slap some 1/16" or 1/32" plywood over that and it'll be good to go again :)
RSS Feed