Rocketry Online

Extreme Rocketry Issue #82 Now available

The July issue #82 of Extreme Rocketry magazine is now available for purchase from retailers or from the Extreme Rocketry webstore at www.extremerocketry.com . The newest issue features a wide variety of articles from advanced experimental rocketry subjects to getting started in rocketry.
Articles in issue 82 are as follows:

Feature Articles:
Interview with Ed Dawson: Creator of a beautiful Saturn V rocket which flew at Mile High Mayhem.

Mile High Mayhem 2009 Launch Report: Rocketeers braved the rain for four days to witness one of the breathtaking flights of all time.

Spider/Rover Project Report: Steve Ainsworth and Tim Gubbins create a unique robotic rover and mechanical payload module.

Regular Stuff:
Reader Photo
Editor’s Comments
Rocket Mail
Extreme Altitude Club
Hot Products
Rocketry News
Extreme MRV Project: Part 4: Booster Module Rocket Basics: Complex Projects Experimental Rocketry: Commercial Hardware with Ex Motors Featured Project Launch Calendar Ask the Rocket Guru

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Location of LDRS 29 Announced

LDRS 29 will be hosted by the Rocketry Organization of California (ROC) on June 10 - 15, 2010 at Lucerne Dry Lake Bed in California.

The event will consist of 4 commercial days and 2 Research. ROC is working out the logistics of the Research days, to make sure they are compliant with California's requirements. Stay tuned for more details.

TMT Announces Gorilla and Loki Motor Certifications

We are very pleased to announce new motor certifications from two manufacturers. At the final test session prior to the start of LDRS week, held on the 20th of June, we certified four new motors, one from Gorilla Motors, three from Loki Research.

From Gorilla, we have certified the first of two new loads for his 75-3500 case.

The L425WC-PS is a 31% L, in a Moon-Burner geometry with Jim Harris's very smooth, aluminized propellant. The Thrust profile is an immediate rise to 173 pounds, dropping to 135 lbs, with a flat line to the 2 second point, then a straight line to 0 at the 8 second point.

Total Impulse 3372 Total NS (32% L)
Max Thrust 172.96
Average Thrust 424.18 Average
Burn Time 7.95 seconds
Propellant Weight 1837 g
Total Weight 3742 g

Loki Research is continuing its return to the certification process with a vengeance.

First off is the final sparky motor of the first half of the year, the G69SF-17A. This motor is not your typical G Sparky as it uses Jeff's LifeSaver style 1X1 grain geometry, utilizing two of these grains in his 38-120 NS case for a 33% G.

Total Impulse 106.1 (33% G)
Max Thrust 99.6
Average Thrust 87.17
Burn Time 1.589 sec
Propellant Weight 63 g
Total Weight 239 g

Next up is the first of a set of two monster motors.   The M3000LW-PS is Jeff's first certified motor in his unique 75-8000 snap-ring case.   This 74% M motor starts with a 1050 lb rise at start, with a regress to 850 lbs at the .5 second point. This motor then has a slight rise from that point to 875 lbs at 1.2 seconds. The curve returns on a straight line to zero at the 3 second point

Total Impulse 8924.3 NS (74% M)
Max Thrust   4752.19 N
Average Thrust 2920.9 N
Burn Time 3.059
Propellant Weight 4350 g
Total Weight 7166.7 g

Last but by no means least, is the second biggest motor we've tested in the past few years. The N3800LW-PS motor is a 25.6 pound (11611 g) motor in Jeff's new 98-12500 (4" X 41") case. Many will be familiar with this motor as it was the "N's" in the April Saturn V launch by Steve Eves.   This motor ignites to 1000 lbs, with a short flatline at that point to .7 second point, where it then progressively rises to the max point of 1120 lbs at the 1.5 second point, then pretty much a straight drop to zero at the 3.248 second point, with a "knuckle" at the 600 pound point at 2.84 seconds.

Total Impulse 12490.28 NS
Max Thrust 5148 N
Average Thrust   3850.82
Burn Time 3.249
Propellant Weight 6124 g
Total Weight 11611 g

We wish great success to both manufacturer's and congratulate them on these new motors.

Our next test session is preliminarily scheduled for the first part of September as it is HOT here in Texas right now and the test field crop of corn is drying out fast.!

H. Paul Holmes
Chairman, Tripoli Motor Testing

[NAR_Testing_News] R130: Kosdon Motor Announcement

As you may have heard Tripoli Rocketry Association has reinstated Dr.
Frank Kosdon as a TRA certified manufacturer. Tripoli Motor Testing has also recently granted a one-year interim certification for all Kosdon Enterprises motors that retained approved status at the time of his decertification in April 2001. TRA has declared these motors are only interim certified for Tripoli members, essentially giving them a portion of the burn period they did not receive at the time of censure. The interim certification will end on June 30, 2010, with full certification to be granted for each reload kit going through comprehensive TMT or NAR S&T testing prior to that date.

When the motors are tested and certified the NAR will add them to the certified motor list. But we will not be giving interim certification to the Kosdon motors that were certified in 2001. The reason is that our requirements and Tripoli's were slightly different at that time. Instead of decertifying the motors with no consumer burn time the NAR left them on the certified motor list giving people the burn time needed to use old motor stock. So the burn time that Tripoli is now giving their members, the NAR gave their members in 2001.

Also, such certification would be against policy stated in our Motor Testing Manual which is available at http://www.nar.org/SandT/docs/ST-MotorTestingManual.pdf.

NFPA Code 1125 requires the successful completion of static testing before any rocket motor can go from being "uncertified" to "certified". Kosdon rocket motors have been "uncertified" for several years. Until the static testing required by NFPA 1125 is done by Tripoli Motor Testing or some other recognized testing authority, the NAR does not regard Kosdon rocket motors as being certified. In accordance with our Safety Code, these motors may not be flown on any range where NAR insurance is in effect until this testing is successfully completed.

But we do look forward to seeing Frank back making motors and will be delighted when we can start burning his newly certified stock.

Jack Kane, Chairman
John Lyngdal, Chairman

SHROX Teams Up With Quest Aerospace

Quest Aerospace, Inc. Pagosa Springs, Co 81147 – The highly regarded rocket designer and 3D animator “Shrox” has joined the Quest team as Creative Director. Shrox’s unique model rocket designs have fascinated rocketeers who usually proclaim upon first sight “That won’t fly!” and are then amazed to see beautiful straight flights.

“Shrox brings an incredible skill set to us and we plan to use his unique skills in rocket design as well as product graphics and 3D animation on our website. I’m really excited to have Shrox with us” said company President Bill Stine.

Look for several new Shrox designs to hit store shelves in the coming year. For more information contact Quest at (970) 264-4050 or service@questaerospace.com

Oregon Rocketry "Summer Skies"

Weather looks great; temperatures in the upper 70's and typical winds. Forecast right now is only 10 to 13 MPH winds from the West. Morning and evening winds are forecasted as calm. Hope you can make this event. See you on the sage in 7 days. Also want to thank Jim and Joe for hauling the GSE trailer.

As the current President of OregonRocketry, It is my pleasure to announce our Summer Skies rocket launch event in Brothers Oregon happening June 19th through 21st. Speaking for the entire board of directors, we hope you will join us for a very exciting and memorable weekend of rocketry in the Pacific Northwest. You are welcome and certainly encouraged to join us.

Fun for all ages. Adventures in model, sport, and amatuer rocketry begins with OregonRocketry. This is the largest and most popular OregonRocketry launch at Brothers each year. We can easily expect to see 200+ people at this launch. Hope you are one. This launch typically brings for a great weekend and a lot of entertaining flights.

June 19th is Research Launch day. Tripoli members L2 or higher are welcome to fly hybrid and EX type rockets. Of course, all within accordance with TRA research safety code. Tripoli members 18 years and older, any level, are allowed to fly rockets using commercial motors. Non-TRA members, those under 18, and invited guests are allowed to watch these events. However, you're not allowed in the prep area or beyond the flight line. You must be a TRA member to fly rockets on Friday. Please refer to Section 9 of link: http://www.tripoli.org/documents/ResearchSafetyCode_Jan_09_r3.pdf.

Saturday June 20th and Sunday June 21st are commercial motor only days. Everyone is welcome to fly rockets on both Saturday and Sunday. Bring your rockets and motors, and spend some time with us having a great time flying. 8:00am to 10pm Saturday and 8:00am to 2:00pm Sunday. Night launch on Saturday night, you only need something on your rocket that illuminates the rocket. Glow sticks work!!!

Drawing: We will be giving two tickets to kids and one ticket to adults during the morning and afternoon Saturday. We will be holding several drawings to win prizes. So be sure to get your ticket or tickets on Saturday before the drawings. A chance to win great prizes.

The club asks that you are aware and comprehend both NAR and TRA safety code. As well as all rules required for the Brothers launch site. Please visit the OregonRocketry.com web site and review our site rules, and visit NAR and TRA websites and review their safety codes. I expect everyone there to comprehend and adhere to these codes. Safety is our priority. All flights will be reviewed by either a launch controller officer and or range safety officer. They have final approval of your flight. If you are bringing a custom made rocket, be prepared to answer questions about stability, center of pressure, center of gravity, delay time, etc. Multi-stage and complex rockets, be prepared to show simulation results if asked.

Summer Skies is a great launch event, and very popular by members and the public. We certainly hope you can join us, and who knows - you might have a lot of fun and maybe win a prize.

We are at an altitude of 4500 feet. For commercial motors we FAA clearance to 25,000 feet above sea level (or 20,500 feet above ground level or AGL). We have a call in extension to 35,500 feet AGL. For research motors by TRA rules are 75% of the waiver, which is clearance to 18,750 feet above sea level (or 15,375 feet AGL). With the call in extension to 26.625 feet AGL.That should be high enough to keep everyone happy.

Directions:
We offer complete directions on the OregonRocketry web to the Brothers launch site. At this web URL: http://www.oregonrocketry.com/dir/dir-bro.htm

We currently have two ready firepits at the site. Please do not create any more, we have agreement with landowners that we'd not create new ones. The firepit just West of the LCO table is the community firepit. We'll have a fire Friday and Saturday evening after dusk. Join us for some rocket talk and good times meeting new friends or catching up with old friends. Bring some firewood. We all try to bring some, so we have enough for both nights. We normally get to watch ISS (International Space Station) orbit, fun to see.

Summer begins at 10:46PM local time on Saturday June 20th. Some of us will be at the community fire to ring in the Summer solstice.

New to OROC or Brothers? If so, welcome. Brothers is a great launch site, and has a spectacular view of the Three Sisters mountain. You need to be prepared. Cold nights and hot days. Launch site is at 4,500 feet, sunburns can happen quicker. Oh, and kind of important - water, water, water. And sun-screen, sun-screen, sun-screen. Camping is allowed and we’ll have porta potties available. No on-site food vendors. Visit the Oregon Rocketry web site to learn more about the Brothers site, rules, and recommendations. While we expect to have a great time, we are also very persistent about minimal impact to the site. http://www.oregonrocketry.com/pol/pol-oroc.htm

We will look to OROC members to help with setup, tear down, and running of the event.

Stop by the registration table for a wristband. All visitors and members will be required to have a signed release form for landowners. We have a new release form for one of the landowners, everyone will be required to sign before getting a wristband.

Lets have a great time. We will be holding an all flyers meeting at 9:30am Saturday morning. See you on the central Oregon sage, June 19th - 21st.

Cheers,
Robert

LDRS 28 Raffle to Support Dave Bachelder

ROCKETS Magazine, in conjunction with LDRS 28 will be donating a portion of the raffle proceeds to help out one of our own. David Bachelder of Quickburst and his wife Debbie were involved in a major traffic accident on June 10, 2009 while on route to visit various East Coast launch sites. Their final stop was to be at LDRS 28 in Potter, New York. Debbie is shaken up and doing fine.

David’s condition is a different story. The wreck involved the total loss of his truck and trailer. Currently David is in a South Carolina Hospital and will undergo multiple surgeries and months of recovery. Unfortunately he will not be able to attend LDRS 28 in person but will be there in spirit.

The raffle at LDRS 28 is an opportunity to help one of our own and notably one of the nicest guys in the hobby. It is also an opportunity to win some of the fabulous prizes donated by our other generous vendors. You can pre-purchase reduced priced raffle tickets at http://www.ldrs28.org/Contests/ or buy them at the field for their normal price.

LDRS 28 Update

LDRS 28 is quickly approaching, with less than 20 days to go. Have you checked out the LDRS 28 website recently? This year’s annual gathering of rocketeers from all over the world is going to be the biggest rocketry event for 2009. So far, with over 260 registered fliers, the rocket launching is going to hot and heavy.

Online registration will end on June 20, 2009. After that date, you will need to simple show up and register at the field. http://www.ldrs28.org/registration

For those folks already registered, remember your parking space number. This will help the parking crew get you settled in quickly. Pre-registration pick-up will be open at the Holiday Inn on Wednesday night, 7-1-09, between 7:00 and 9:00 P.M. for you early birds. Safe yourself some time and pick up your registration packets prior to the official opening of the launch. Onsite registration and pre-registration packet pick up will begin at 9:00 A.M. starting 7-2-09.

Tee Shirts should be pre-ordered to guarantee you get the sizes and styles you are looking for. There will be sales on site and if past LDRS’s are any indication, they will sell out fast. http://www.ldrs28.org/apps/wpisa.dll/launchreg/registration

There will me multiple organized contests such a Mach Madness, the Upscale Big Daddy Drag Race, the Prettiest / Ugliest Rocket Contest and of course the ever present Raffle. This year at LDRS 28 you can increase your odds of winning many generously donated rocket related items by pre-purchasing your raffle tickets. They normally sell for $1.00 each, but if you act quickly pre-purchased tickets will be offered at two tickets for $1.00. Included in the raffle will be multiple opportunities to receive a full page feature in ROCKETS Magazine in the LDRS 28 cover to cover issue. The winners of this raffle prize will be featured regardless of the size of your project.

http://www.ldrs28.org/Contests/

The LDRS 28 Planning Committee would like to thank all the Vendors who have donated prizes to the various contests and would like to thank in advance all the Vendors who are still coming on board to make this an event not to miss.
http://www.ldrs28.org/Site/Vendors.html

The Onsite Concessions will feed the furnace to keep you going through those long days on the flight line. http://www.ldrs28.org/Site/Concessions.shtml

There are still many opportunities to get involved and help your fellow rocketeers get out to the pads as an RSO and on to the pads as a Pad Manager.
http://www.ldrs28.org/volunteer

Most importantly what would any LDRS be without the fliers and world class projects that make this a must attend event. Check out the long list the projects flying at LDRS 28.
http://www.ldrs28.org/FeaturedProjects

The clock is ticking and every second of indecision is time wasted not prepping your project for the biggest launch of the year. What is it going to be? Sitting on the sidelines watching for posts to hit the forums or launching at LDRS and becoming that post? The LDRS 28 Planning Committee looks forward to seeing you at the launch. Once the first button is pushed on Thursday morning, the action will be non-stop for five days of ground pounding rocketry fun. Make sure one of those smoke trails is yours.

Anchor Parachutes celebrates 12 years of parachute making

It has been over ten years and Anchor parachutes are celebrating their twelfth year making parachutes. They have been creating chutes since 1997 and have enjoyed offering a quality line of parachutes for the rocketry community. We continue to reach out to the community and help recovering prized rocket projects with safety and reliability.

It is interesting how one never gets away from providing good products to those who need them. Since 1997 the building of parachutes has gone back and forth from one chute builder to another as the demands of time allowed. I gave up building chutes in 2004 and Jeffrey Miller of Alabama carried on the business of chute making while I got the chance to take care of some major life issues and he did a really great job of carrying the Anchor Parachutes banner. Many people received fine quality chutes from Jeffrey and enjoyed his handiwork.
As the demands of life dictated, Jeff had to retire from chute building in late 2008 and asked me to resume building parachutes and I said that I would. I was now ready to take back the role of engineer.

In order to celebrate our success we would like to offer a 10% discount to all customers ordering chutes from us in the month of July and August 2009 and all you have to do is mention that you read this press release in your email, we would be glad to hear from everyone.

Contact Bruce Feaver at engineer@anchorparachutes.com

www.anchorparachutes.com

Kosdon TRM Reloads Approved by TMT

To All,

I am very pleased to announce official paperwork has been received from Dr. Frank Kosdon, as required, in the effort to return his previously certified motors/reloads to the member approved list.

The below listed Kosdon Enterprises, Truly Recyclable Motor (TRM) reloads were submitted and have been verified with archival TMT and NAR S&T documentation and are approved for immediate use by Tripoli members in good standing, and for all rocketry organizations granting reciprocal approval. These motors are certified on an interim basis for one year, ending on 30 June 2010, with full recertification to be granted for each reload kit through comprehensive TMT or NAR S&T empirical testing prior to that date.

Legend for all lines:

Official Name, TMT Designation, Class metric, Case OD, Length, Total NS, Average, BurnTime, Weight

S = Slow, F = Fast, DH = Dirty Harry

24 MM

H200S-13, H207, 55% H, 24, 383, 247.4, 207.4, 1.2, 117.8
H365F-15, H382, 62% H, 24, 383, 259.1, 381.7, 0.7, 122.3
H470F-P, H511, 84% H, 24, 489, 293.7, 511.2, 0.57, 151

29 MM

H155F-7, H172, 0% H, 29, 203, 160.8, 171.9, 0.97, 80
G40S-P, G37, NAR, 29, 206, 110.56, 37.35, 2.96, 48.4
G75S-7, G75, NAR, 29, 206, 142.11, 75.19, 1.89, 67.5
G65DH-11, G72, 71% G, 29, 206, 136.6, 71.6, 1.9, 93.6
H105DH-P, H116, 35% H, 29, 289, 216.3, 116.1, 1.87, 143.5
H70S-P, H73, NAR, 29, 291, 179.53, 73.28, 2.45, 81.7
H135S-11, H134, NAR, 29, 291, 170.09, 133.6, 1.73, 112
H255F-9, H261, 66% H, 29, 292, 266, 260.5, 1.03, 125.3
I385F-12, I439, 2% I, 29, 384, 326.3, 438.5, 0.77, 154
I560F-20, I551, 26% I, 29, 597, 404.2, 550.9, 0.73, 246.1

38 MM

I300F-P, I319, 22% I, 38, 254, 390.7, 318.8, 1.2, 181.2
I145DH-9, I145, NAR, 38, 258, 357.47, 144.72, 2.47, 182.7
I170DH-11, I167, 66% I, 38, 314, 433.21, 167.26, 2.59, 287
I220S-9, I224, 67% I, 38, 314, 534.4, 224.3, 2.4, 253.7
I420F-12, I438, 66% I, 38, 314, 532.9, 437.7, 1.2, 244.6
J280S-11, J297, 5% J, 38, 368, 671.1, 296.5, 2.27, 314.1
I255DH-10, I273, 88% I, 38, 368, 602.8, 273.4, 2.2, 353.3
J450F-10, J619, 5% J, 38, 368, 673.3, 619.4, 1.1, 308
J345S-18, J361, 19% J, 38, 476, 761.2, 361.8, 2.1, 380.5
J630F-20, J659, 23% J, 38, 476, 787.4, 659.5, 1.17, 374.5
J675F-20, J710, 27% J, 38, 476, 814.5, 710.5, 1.17, 386.6
J850F-21, J884, 41% J, 38, 576, 899.9, 883.8, 1, 450
J530S-10, J549, 55% J, 38, 737, 991.7, 549.4, 1.8, 561.7
J975F-23/P, J1018, 61% J, 38, 740, 1033.4, 1018.5, 1.03, 552.7

54 MM

I120DH-P, I120, NAR, 54, 251, 571.47, 119.81, 4.77, 393
I150S-6, I145, NAR, 54, 251, 632.37, 145.37, 4.35, 339
J340F-10, J433, 23% J, 54, 251, 787.3, 432.8, 1.88, 361.3
J180DH-13, J193, 38% J, 54, 326, 884.2, 193.4, 4.57, 605.5
J230S-8, J232, NAR, 54, 326, 945.89, 231.84, 4.08, 500.8
J480F-17, J523, 79% J, 54, 326, 1144.2, 523.2, 2.2, 522.5
J295DH-17, J306, 94% J, 54, 403, 1243.2, 306, 4.03, 792.8
K350S-9, K344, NAR 54, 403, 1317.62, 344.93, 3.82, 682
K700F-18, K692, NAR, 54, 403 1426.69, 692.57, 2.06, 682
L850S-12, L951, 3% L, 54, 727, 2643.2, 950.7, 2.8, 1265.4
L1860F-23, L2018, 3% L, 54, 727, 2643, 2017.6, 1.3, 1254.8

76 MM

J130S-15, J162, 75% J, 76, 244, 1118.1, 161.8, 6.9, 610
J250F-7, J274, 82% J, 76, 244, 1166.9, 274.4, 4.27, 596.5
K410S-13, J424, 89% K, 76, 368, 2420.4, 424.5, 5.7, 1195.9
K777F-10, K809, 97% K, 76, 368, 2524.9, 809.3, 3.13, 1168.7
L585DH-8, L609, 21% L, 76, 495, 3093.8, 608.6, 5.1, 1929.8
L630S-7, L644, 34% L, 76, 495, 3429.9, 643.6, 5.33, 1661
L1175F-30, L1205, 39% L, 76, 495, 3567.1, 1205.1, 2.97, 1667
L1500F-11, L1548, 85% L, 76, 622, 4730.5, 1548, 3.07, 2222.7
L820S-15, L845, 75% L, 76, 623, 4469.9, 845.2, 5.27, 2222.7
M1130S-P, M1170, 12% M, 76, 775, 5763.6, 1169.5, 4.9, 3069.1
M2240F-P, M2350, 16% M, 76, 775, 5947, 2349.8, 2.55, 3057.8
M1015DH-P, M1059, 3% M, 76, 781, 5282.7, 1059.2, 5, 3547
M1845S-P, M1952, 46% M, 76, 1038, 7512.8, 1952.2, 3.83, 3882.2
M3200F-P, M3202, 48% M, 76, 1041, 7565.7, 3201.6, 2.35, 3895.8

There are a few additional motors to add to this list, but are withheld until further verification can be made of the cert data. If there are any questions about the list or a possible omission/correction, reply off-list.

H. Paul Holmes
Chairman, Tripoli Motor Testing