Airframe woes in The Nozzle Exit

The latest post on the Nozzle Exit talks about the airframe for both the model and the real thing:

Balsa was used for the core instead of foam in locations where loading dictated (seemed strange to build real flight hardware out of traditional modeling materials - foam and balsa - but there we were).

Yes, that snippet applies to the real thing.

Mythbustin' the first manned rocket flight

I hear the Mythbusters will be investigating Lagari Hasan Celebi who legend says made the first successful manned rocket flight.  The Chinese Emperor who flew in a rocket chair was probably earlier...but wasn't successful.  My prediction is that the Mythbuster's crash test dummy had a bad day. Anyway it works out, The Mythbusters + rockets = good fun.

Soviet Megaplane v. Nazi UFO (concept art)

As seen on IO9.  The megaplane is based on the Kalinin K-7, which I have previously posted about (note *).  As for the Nazi UFO, I refer you to Google.

* Yes, I still realize that this wasn't an ekranoplan, but I'm going to continue to mis-label it.

Sport Rocketry Nov/Dec 2009

This is the NARAM 51 edition and my main feeling after thumbing through it is...I wish I had attended!  The coverage is typical to past NARAMs and includes plenty of photos.  It started well with the cover showing a nice closeup of Chas Russell showing off the Pod Bay Door's Sci-Fi-Future Scale Saturn IB MLV-11.5.  I had taken note of this model on NARAM Live! but didn't know much about it.

Other NARAM stuff I took note of included: a large photo of Kevin Johnson with his sexy Valkyrie; Scott Branche's cool R/C Centuri Mach 10 upscale; night launch photos; rocket girl egg-lofters; close up photo and details on Mark Chrumka's MLAS, which won in C-Div Peanut Scale; many other Peanut Scale entries; NARHAMS #139 takes 4th in the national standings; and the 3-page photo montage (Paul Miller made it in 2 photos).  What is missing is coverage of the "rockets beyond strange" event.

Other major features include coverage of the cool Interceptor-M that flew at Plaster Blaster 2008 (videos are here) and Ed Miller's article on spray-on carbon fiber.  The latter is for looks not strength and, man, does Ed make it look good!

Missile-aneous stuff of interest: ad for the Quest MLAS; new night launch "Phantom" kit by Leading Edge Rocketry; a Santa Sleigh rocket in The CATO Chronicles.

Colonial Viper at Plaster Blaster

Now, this is a purty picture! (should be Verna and Randy's next photo of the month)



Photo by kbaird; Title may be incorrect as I thought this was last weekend's launch and the photo data says it was taken then. Cool no matter when it was taken!

Quest MLAS - looking good from 10'

I added two photos of the final product to my OurPlanet album. Not unexpectedly, this is another RTLGF10F (rocket that looks good from 10 ft). The brush-on acrylic paint on the cone looks a tad funky and I proven once again that if there is a way to mess up decals, I can find it. Still, I'm happy with it :) God willing, I'll fly it at Red Glare VII this coming weekend.


Find more photos like this on Our Planet

Masten's 'Xoie-II' to study the "ignorosphere"

Aviation Week reports on Masten's plans for their NGLLC prize money.  These plans include adding an aeroshell (for aerodynamic performance and to support reentry) and a new 2,500 lbF engine (vs Xoie's 750 lb).  They are marketing this capability to lift 50 lb payload's to "what Masten calls the "ignorosphere" - the region of the upper atmosphere between about 100,000 feet and 100 kilometers (60 miles) that is difficult to study with balloons and satellites." They say their fast turnaround capability will have added benefits to the scientific study of that region.


They also want to market their systems development methodology, which is more similar to software methodologies than hardware.  As en ex-hardware/systems/managerial type, I'd like to read a formal document on how they do business.  But, if they're selling the capability, I doubt if that will be readily available.

(via NGLLC2009 on Twitter)

Big a$$ rocket of the day - 1/3 scale X-15 at Plaster Blaster - RIP

Find out more about this totally awesome but ill-fated project on TRF.

Loudmouths are coming to a launch near you

And, I'm not talking about select members from the rocketry forums :)

I see from their Facebook news feed that AeroTech successfully tested a K345LM 'Loudmouth' yesterday at Plaster Blaster.  The Loudmouth reportedly sounds like a "sparky without the sparks."

They also flew the J99N endburner, K375NW boost-sustain, and J320WS Super White. Lots of new motor types are on the way. Now, how many of these are going to migrate down to mid-power? {Well, I see someone asked this about the Loudmouth and the answer was, "possibly."  That's better than 'no'!}

Run for the hills, The Saucer Fleet has landed!

I just received my copy of ARA Press' The Saucer Fleet, which I won for taking 3rd place in EMRR's Rocket family photo contest.  I loved their Spaceship Handbook and I love saucers, so I was looking forward to this one.  My deepest thanks to Jack Haggerty for sponsoring the contest, Nick Esselman for honchoing it and of course those who thought my Fireball XL5 family was worthy.

Quest MLAS - stability

My MLAS, prior to paint, comes in at 3oz. I measured the actual CG and set the overrides. I haven't tried to apply a 'phantom' cone to account for base drag. With a B6, the margin drops to 0.32. With a C6, it drops to 0.26. It's almost hard to believe that CG shift of a mere 0.2 inches will result in instability, but I guess there is always a tipping point. Time will tell if it is stable at all. But, I'm going to trust the manufacturer for the initial B6 flight. According to the sim, a B6-4 is about right and even with the sim being optimistic, a -4 is probably as good as a -2.

"Kari likes big guns"...'nuff said

Click through to see the clear original.

Quest MLAS - more status and opinions

Find more photos like this on Our Planet


Here are a few photos. I am applying the fillets and later today will prep the cone. Paint will wait until tomorrow when my 50%-off coupons at Michael's kick in. I won't save much, but it might pat for the gas to get there.

I added the ruler to the body-only shot. As you can see, there is only 3" available minus about one inch for the shoulder. This means I can't manhandle the 'chute packing like normal.

Quest MLAS - status and initial opinions

I started the build during TV commercials this evening.   I built and installed the motor mount, built the nose cone assembly less the recovery harness, filled the fins, and began installing them.  So far this has all been fairly straightforward and I'm not sure I'd rate this skill level three.  But no matter.  It's a fun LPR build and, despite it being a stand-off sport scale representation, I think it is looking pretty cool.  I also built the three plastic 'chutes, 2 of which will bring down the nose and one the body.  Prepping and packing these might be the biggest challenge.  They will really be right on top of the ejection charge.

Some time tomorrow I'll be ready for paint.  The instructions say you need foam-safe white and black spray paint. Being a non-conformist, I'm thinking about spraying the lower body with plain old non-foam-safe paint.  For the fins, methinks I'll use brush-on testors.  For the cone, I may just buy some acrylic brush-on at Michaels. 

I've also been thinking about bigger-than-recommended motors.  The nose weight is  a lag bolt and it screws in fairly tightly.  For the next version, I'll upgrade/replace this bolt.  I am flip-flopping between leaving this on for the recommended B6's and kludging up a quick and dirty way to add weight to allow a 'C' flight.  Decision, decisions.

Quest MLAS - RECEIVED!

My two MLAS kits and a few other parts just arrived.  Not bad for a Monday morning order.  My one annoyance is that we are at the end of the UPS route so, even though my package was out for delivery at 6AM, it was 6PM before it arrived.

The kit looks cool, I like its stubbyness and foam cone. It has a medium sized lag bolt that fits in the cone's tip - ya' knew a fair amount of nose weight would be required.  This will provide a reasonable point to attach even more weight for the upgraded motor mount version.  On quick glance, the build looks fairly straightforward. It will require an above average amount of masking on the angled surfaces of the cone and some foam safe paint.  The three 'chutes may make recovery a bit more challenging as the opportunity for 'chute tangling is also above average.  Should be fun!

Concept art for Virgin's LauncherOne (updated)

ParobolicArc posts a couple of concept drawings for Virgin Galactic's recently announced foray into the world of small satellite launching.  The first has a cruise missile look to it and the second is more SpaceShipOne-like.  Given the differences and the quality of the drawings I am wondering if these came from graphic artists or rocket/space craft designers.  This seems a natural and obvious use of their White Knight II.  The White Knight I has already been adapted to hold the X-37B for drop tests of the latter.  It will be interesting to see how their plans unfold.

Update:  Clark Lindsey reports Virgin has seven space science customers signed up.

Armadillo wants to take you higher

Videos of Armadillos latest flight to 2959 ft (902 m) have made it to YouTube. I like the new pointy look! (spotted by Clark Lindsey, who has another one too)

Ares I-Y schedule says a lot

No 5-segment SRB flight test until 2012. (via the Flame Trench).

Everything most of us want to know about VASIMR

A case of a picture being worth 1000 words via the New York Times and R2K

Unreasonable feature on the Discovery Channel (Canada)

Paul Breed notes that "We were on the daily planet show on the discovery channel in Canada last night. You can see the show here"

Bloodhound SSC motor update

Rocketeers.co.uk has an update on the development of the hybrid rocket motor for the Bloodhound SSC supersonic rocket car.  The blogger expresses his/her "bitterly disappointed that we're spending money and effort on building a one-shot stunt car, instead of useful vehicles...".   I had never really thought of it, but I understand the point.  But I guess one might say the same thing about anyone that puts in a ton of money or effort into a pastime, albeit generally at less cost.  Then, with sponsorship and endorsements the Bloodhound SSC might be positioned to make money.  If so, I guess it's no different than an investment in any company.  If they make a good motor maybe that can spin it off to someone for more lofty goals. (Haha, I made a pun.)

In the Nozzle Exit

The Nozzle Exit is a new blog from sport rocketeer and NASA MLAS team member Tim Wilson.  So far it features info on his original "µMLAS" model, and of course info on the real thing.   I'm following it so updates should appear in my sidebar.