6 months in the life of Armadillo

A reader (thanks George!) pointed me to Armadillos latest status report.  This is big one, covering over 6 months of activity from the first Class III waiver issued by FAA AST, through the X-prize Cup, and on to high altitude hops, their Students Performing Experiments on Armadillo Rockets program, and Rocket Racer T2 testing.  Lots of photos and videos are provided.

Project Daedalus

R2K has a compendium of photos, data, and links on Project Daedalus, the unmanned, nuclear-powered starship that was proposed by the British Interplanetary Society in the mid 70's.  Follow the tag to see my other posts on this project.

NASA's 1st e-book is out, can you read it? (updated already!)

You can now download the book "X-15: Extending the Frontiers of Flight" by Dennis R. Jenkins from NASA's Aeronautics Research Directorate in either Kindle or Sony Reader formats. A big hat tip to brianc who points out that the 'Sony format' is a .pdf.  I just downloaded it!

Graphic: Who has what in orbit

Big Brothers, originally uploaded by Michæl Paukner.

As usual, click through to see a larger version.

Stay Spirit! Good rover!

When it got stuck, the Spirit rover had been on Mars for some 2200 days, more than 20 times its original mission lifespan. I didn't note that fact in any of the main stream news reports following NASA JPL's announcement that they will shift their emphasis from getting it unstuck to positioning it to survive the Mars winter and continue to do science. (Many may have pointed this out, just not the one's I saw/read.) Phil Plait puts this in perspective:

Cars these days have a standard warranty for 7 years; how’d you like yours to run for 140 years?

And, R2K notes how xkcd responded to the lack of praise for this brave little robot.

Apollo 1 ... Challenger ... Columbia

NASA - Day of Remembrance

Mystery missiles over Newfoundland

The Bayourat reports on what appears to have been three missiles seen flying over Newfoundland.  This time it was no mystery corkscrew and local residents appear to have had time grab binoculars and a camera. Pointy - ✓ Fire - ✓ Smoke - ✓  If the reports aren't a hoax, it sounds like a rocket to me. See the original report on CTV.ca.  {Since these were flying and are unidentified, this post has been tagged under 'UFOs'.}

Rustoleum Professional Primer + Rustoleum Camouflage Paint =

Stupid Rocket Trick #12 - Crazy crazing, man. I'll guess I'll wait a couple of days, sand, and re-coat.

Delta X-15 - ready for flight!

Just don't look at the finish too closely.  I will try adding a couple of layers of Future after the Rustoleum has dried.  After a day, it still smells so I guess it is still out gassing.

Antimater helped propel Avatar to become the highest grossing movie of all time

The Next Big Future points out that the starship in Avatar was based to a large extent on the theoretical, antimatter-powered Valkyrie spaceship designed by by Charles Pellegrino and Brookhaven physicist Jim Powell.  Reportedly, Dr. Pellegrino was a consultant on the film.  I wish I could have found a photo of the entire ship to compare with the diagrams in TNBF's post.  I'll leave it at that, but TNBF continues to provide a description of how such an antimatter drive might work.

I can't close this post without commenting on the film.  I thought the story was good solid sci-fi even if it was simple and predictable.  The acting was fine too in my book.  As noted by everybody else, it is visually spectacular and shows us the future of movies (and probably TV too).  At first, I found the 3D glasses to be fine for wide shots with little action but, as soon as the action sped up and moved into the virtual foreground, I found it hard to follow.  However, somewhere in the middle, I got used to the glasses and didn't notice this effect.  As good as it was, for most movies I'd save my $6 and see it in archaic 2D.

I just saw a piece on the local news that showed how the GCI characters were generated from the actors.  They went on to explain that Cameron will be able to re-use a lot of what he already generated. Ain't computers wonderful.  Thus, the sequel will be a lot cheaper and easier to make (but will likely still make as much as the original). Ka-ching!

Big-a$$ rocket of the day

On January 24th, the Indian Space Research Organization successfully static tested  the world's 3rd biggest solid rocket motor.  Falling behind just the Shuttle and ARIANE-5 boosters, the S200 delivers a peak thrust of 5,151 kN (1.158M lbF).  I found no suitable photo of the smoke and fire.  For more details, check out the glossy brochure. (hat tip to Clark Lindsey)

Why ask why...and other build status

Q: Why is it I never seem to take the time necessary to get a (near) perfect finish? 

A: Even when I start out with good intentions, I just can't bring myself to stock up on all the proper grades of sandpaper and other materials.  So, I'm pretty much doomed to a C+ or B- finish from the get go.  Next, even when I'm energetic at the start of the process, I usually run out of interest.  Then to top it off, I tend to paint 3/4 of my models with the paint I bought for the other 1/4. 

Add in some learning curve, and you get my Hostile Projectiles Delta X-15.  And I won't bring up the decals or lack thereof.  I'm at least a day from photographing it. One thing I'm happy with is that I decided to cut the erstwhile card stock tail cone from 1/64" fiberglass.

While I don't have many, I do have some standards - so I'm still sanding and filling the SS-7.5 ICBM.  I want at least a C- on that one.

I've also stocked up on home-dipped initiators.  Happily, I found the 4 initiators that I dipped at Warthog's last building session all measured 2.5+/- ohms.  At the session, they all read way high but it appears they just needed more drying time than their Igniterman-dipped cousins.  In addition to the motors I previously mentioned, Paul gave me some ancient, pre-dipped, bridgewire initiators.  The pyrogen was unusable but was easily removed.  They still looked and ohmed-out OK so a few were also dipped.  I reckon I'm ready for the next launch (assuming the ol' back recovers).

1938 ... great engineering skill!

1938 ... great engineering skill!, originally uploaded by x-ray delta one.

Click-through to access a larger version.

Engineer-speak

Via the FlightBlogger (original source unknown):

2010 Top 25 Engineer's Terms and Expressions

(What we say versus what it means) 

1. A number of different approaches are being tried.
We are still guessing at this point.
2. Close project coordination.
We sat down and had coffee together.
3. An extensive report is being prepared on a fresh approach.
We just hired three punk kids out of school.
4. Major technological breakthrough!
It works OK; but looks very hi-tech!
5. Customer satisfaction is believed assured.
We are so far behind schedule, that the customer will take anything.
6. Preliminary operational tests were inconclusive.
The darn thing blew up when we threw the switch.
7. Test results were extremely gratifying!
Unbelievable, it actually worked!
8. The entire concept will have to be abandoned.
The only guy who understood the thing quit.
9. It is in process.
It is so wrapped in red tape that the situation is completely hopeless.
10. We will look into it.
Forget it! We have enough problems already.
11. Please note and initial.
Let's spread the responsibility for this.
12. Give us the benefit of your thinking.
We'll listen to what you have to say as long as it doesn't interfere with what we have already done or with what we are going to do.
13. Give us your interpretation.
We can't wait to hear your bull.
14. See me or let's discuss.
Come to my office, I've screwed up again.
15. All new.
Parts are not interchangeable with previous esign.
16. Rugged.
Don't plan to lift it without major equipment.
17. Robust!
Rugged, but more so
18. Light weight.
Slightly lighter than rugged
19. Years of development.
One finally worked
20. Energy saving.
Achieved when the power switch is off.
21. No maintenance.
Impossible to fix
22. Low maintenance.
Nearly impossible to fix
23. Fax me the data.
I'm too lazy to write it down.
24. We are following the standard!
That's the way we have always done it!
25. I didn't get your e-mail.
I haven't checked my e-mail for days.

M power the hard way

Looking back at Chris Pearson's History of LDRS, I see a photo of a rocket that flew on 80 F40's.  Assuming the existing AT F40 data, that's equivalent to a 6248M3032. 

Interesting discussion: Sparkies to come under fire at NFPA: Who Made The G?

A few days ago, Rocketry Planet published a great article regarding  the coming meeting of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Technical Committee on Pyrotechnics in Salt Lake City, Utah.  There, the committee members will review previously submitted proposals for the 2011 revision of NFPA 1125, Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket Motors.  The central issue discussed on RP is the certification status of G-class sparky motors, which are in regulatory limbo.  The article has generated a lot of lively discussion and even elicited a response from NARPres Trip Barber who, either directly or by default as the NAR'S top dog, is in charge of the NAR's input to the review process.  The original article/post is packed with data and thread is getting long but if you have time, it is interesting.  I'll merely scratch the surface here.

In mid 2008, I reported this issue in regards to the new AMW Pro-X 121Ns G69 Skidmark reload.  Despite having only 61.5 grams of propellant, its sparky nature ran afoul of the following provision of 1125:

7.6.5 The propellant of a model rocket motor shall contain
no metal particles larger than 150 microns (100 mesh) and
shall be designed to produce a minimum of ejected particles
or sparks.

So, the manufacturer was essentially strong-armed into increasing the propellant weight so it became high power.  I was beside myself.  At the time, we still needed the dreaded LEUP permit to fly high power (>62.5g) motors.  Now the powers-that-be are looking into reducing the mesh size for sparkies and possibly increasing the safe distances for such motors.  I guess that would allow some G and lower sparkies to fly at modroc launches.  Probably none of the ones that are commercially available, however. 

As an aside, Darrel, myself and many other posters found it amusing that,

NAR Standard & Testing, in its study obviously sanctioned by the National Association of Rocketry leadership, made their own sparky motors for testing that contained titanium particles.  As an organization who has rules about its members making their own motors, they don't appear to mind making them for their own uses, especially when the conclusion reached helps advance their own agenda — in this case, the outlawing of sparky G motors.

Maybe NAR S&T can certify theirs?

If the (real world) sparky G's are outlawed from the modroc world after the coming document revision, I hope that next year's revision cycle of NFPA 1127: Code for High Power Rocketry allows that document to be a catch-all for all small sparkies. Seems like that should be doable.  All that's needed is adding the mesh size of metal particles to be a criteria for being high power and possibly adding a line to the safe distance table.  Or you could make the top entry 'H and smaller' (or is that the bottom entry?).

Finally, a comment about 'Who Made the G' in the post title.  Aside from the reference to the NAR-made 'EX' motors, this has historical significance.  In the early days of HPR, NAR only recognized up to F-class motors and threatened members with expulsion if they even participated in a launch that deviated from their rules. From Chris Pearson's History of LDRS:

Unbeknownst to the NAR, a number of people at the time were flying high-power rockets at local sport launches or side by side with competition rockets at NAR events. Unlike NARAM's today, where the sport range is busier than the competition range, sport flying was almost unheard of at a NAR launch. At one of our regional meets early in 1980, several uncertified F. G and H motors were flown in overweight rockets. Somehow, word of this leaked out and later that year while at NARAM-22, another SNOAR member and I were called on the carpet by Mark Bundick, the National Contest Board Chairman and questioned about it. This is where the famous, "Who flew the G?" quote came from.

Is it time for another bumper sticker?

T-shirt WANT

Via Jerry Irvine on Rocketry Planet:

Fun in southeastern New Mexico

Clark Lindsey reports on the Southwest Regional Technology Symposium, which will be held on Thursday, 15 April 2010 at New Mexico Farm & Ranch, Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Here's a short description.  More details and contact info are in Clark's Post. 

Are you an EXPERT in some field of TECHNOLOGY? Do you have a HOBBY that might be of interest to SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS? Do you have a PROJECT or some RESEARCH upon which you’d like to CAST MORE LIGHT? Do you want to PROMOTE more BUSINESS for your workplace? If you find any of this to be true, you are wanted.

Then, I see Fellowship of Las Cruces Area Rocketry Enthusiasts (FLARE), and the Spaceport Model Rocket Association (SMRA) of Alamogordo, New Mexico are hosting the NAR's National Sport Launch over the Memorial Day Weekend.  Activities will occur in and around Alamagordo between Thursday May 27th and Tuesday June 1st.

Lots of neat stuff in the area...New Mexico Museum of Space History, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands National Monument, Sunspot Solar and Apache Point Observatories, Holloman Air Force Base, and the Lincoln National Forest.  Go a little farther, and you can visit the future site of Spaceport America.  If you pass through Las Cruces, check out La Posta in Old Mesilla.  If you fly into or pass through El Paso, eat some Mexican food (Avilas), BBQ (State Line), steaks (Great American Land and Cattle Company), and burgers (Charcoaler) [all on the west side and no more than a few miles from I-10].

Chupacabras - goat eating bald raccoons, maybe

I thought I'd posted about chupacabras before but can find it.  So, I'll have to provided some background.  Skip down for news on the latest supposed sighting.  El chupacabra is a legendary animal that reportedly sucks the blood from livestock, especially goats.  The name itself translates to 'goat sucker'.  The first attack was reported in Puerto Rico in 1995 and reports quickly spread through Mexico to the southern border regions of the US.  To me, that means Texas and in fact there have been several reported sightings in the ol' home state.  On one trip home, I found there were even numerous reports around El Paso.  Hence my fascination. It's always fun to have a mythical beast in your backyard.

The latest report came from northern Texas where a maintenance worker on a golf course found an odd looking, hairless, dead animal.  (I couldn't bring myself to post the photo of the poor little critter.) Rumors spread and the web lit up. However, a biologist identified it as a hairless raccoon. 

Dang, real cupacabras are more interesting. And how did it lose its hair, eh?  No mange and they expect us to believe that the body may have sat in cold water for an extended period.  Yeah, like the true believers are expected to buy that :)

Parasite gliders for MicroMaxx?

If I only have a rocket ship to fly, originally uploaded by peskynoodle.

Video of YAL-1 airborne laser test

Via Closing Velocity comes a video of the YAL-1 Airborne Laser (ABL) engaging the Missile Alternative Range Target Instrument (MARTI). The system successfully demonstrated the ability to acquire, track and engage the target. It was not intended to destroy the target instrument. It appears the program has been canceled by the administration (if I'm understanding the source post properly).

Warmish, dry, calm weather means:

Primer is going on the Delta X-15 and the SS-7.5 ICBM.

. . .or just HAPPY to see you?

. . .or just HAPPY to see you?, originally uploaded by That Ray Guy (Ray Monigold).

Definitely WTF, but WTH?

Cool stuff at NEFAR's Feb. 7th launch

NEFAR Launch, February 7. 2009 (yeah, a year ago)

How about an N1900 Sorbitol/Epoxy motor and a steam rocket?  Videos included.  I previously discussed David O'Neil's steam rockets here. Yeah, cool stuff!

Concept Ship Friday (update)

First up is some neat retro stuff from Scott Lowther and his Unwanted Blog.  In his post, About the “Landing Boats”, he expounds on how he 'derived' the design for the lifting body style landing boats for Fantastic Plastic's Orion Battleship.  I applied the term 'derived' because, although the design was not captured from a blueprint (yeah, aerospace folks used those back then), he based them on written descriptions, some arcane photographs, and educated guesses based on who developed the Orion concept. [General Atomics, but you'll have to read his post to see why this was significant.]

Of equal interest to some (and probably more to most), he also provides info on the Rockwell Space Shuttle, circa late 1972”.  Scott really digs up some cool stuff.

[I saw these on my RSS reader, but Clark Lindsey's post prodded me to pass them on here.]



Next, I'll remind you about the Concept Ships blog.  The latest post features
3D concept ships by Francois Brigouleix. Although this installment doesn't look applicable to flying models, it is, well, cool. Update:  Francois commented that you can access a higher res animation via his web site. (right click the video you want to see)

Militaryphotos.net also has a running post on Concept/Sci-Fi military machines. Some are even of the flying variety.

I had another concept ship link but lost it.  Can't even remember where I saw it.  Oh well, hope the rest of the post is enough for you.

Finally, R2K found the following video on NASA's concept for the Puffin low noise, electric, personal air vehicle.  If I'm around in 2050 and am not demented, I'll want one! Of course, I doubt that I'll be able to actually use it, however.  And no cracks about me already being demented!!! After all, I do play with toy rockets...'nuff said :)

Hobbico buys Estes

It appears what people have suspected for some time has occurred...Estes has been sold.  It will be interesting to see how they evolve.  As long as they make motors...lots of motors, I'll be happy.  There are so many kits out there that I hardly care what they do or don't bring back, whether they use plastic or balsa for cones, or even produce more or less RTF stuff.

Blogger now supports pages

Blogger in Draft just implemented a 'pages' feature to allow us to post stand-alone (persistent? static?) information.  While I long have long been jealous of my Wordpress compadres' ability to create pages, I now am not sure what I want to do with it.  The information on my favorite subjects is generally spread over many posts made over many years.

So, for now I will test the feature by providing an index page to highlight some of my featured rocketry subjects.  Where I have a cornerstone post, that will appear first, followed by links to the wider tag or tags which identify all the related posts. This and any future pages will appear at the top of my sidebar.

Calling all Starfighter fans

Or, at least anyone who wants to scratch build one.  The Unwanted Blog features a diagram that would be a great guide.

Sieze the Sky

Master modeler Mario Perdue has announced that his new rocketry book, Seize the Sky - A Builder's Guide to Model Rocketry, is out.  The book presents building techniques, a FAQ, and 25 sample builds.

Scale BSG Viper MK II Rocket

Scale BSG Viper MK II Rocket, originally uploaded by Rene Dalerta.

When (Xmas) Trees Attack: ESL-140 from the air (updated, and now minty fresh)

The Vimeo video was accidentally deleted...but who cares as long as there is YouTube?  (You can view the other videos via my launch report post or the MDRA gallery.)

Check out this awesome video footage from MDRA's ESL-140. Most of the video was taken from an R/C plane, but there are some ground clips mixed in. It's fairly long and most of the best stuff is in the first four minutes or so. Click through and watch it full screen! :)

Scale scratch builders may want some Unwanted rocket drawing sets

The Unwanted Blog, among other things, is the front for a commercial enterprise that offers drawings of various aerospace subjects.   The latest is Space Drawing set 22: V-2 rocket engine diagrams. For $5.50 you can download the two detailed drawings of of the V-2's nozzle and injector assembly. While these may be more of a curiosity for sport rocketeers, the blogger also has two other related sets, which include a detailed cutaway diagram of the V-2 with another drawing of the engine, and a dimensioned drawing of the Wasserfall (low-res version shown above). Each set goes for the same amount or you can get all three bundled for $18.50.  There are many more aircraft, rocket and space documents available.

Your fembot may be sexy on the outside, but she/it is still creepy on the inside

At CES2010, a company called True Companion introduced Roxxy. I found that more than a little creepy.  However, I do like Hajime Sorayama's Gynoids.  Go figure.  I guess looking is OK but touching isn't :eek:

Dark Roasted Blend's latest post, Female Androids' Shape and Anatomy, features (mostly) the retro, techno, pin-up art of Fernando Vicente and his Anatomy Atlas of Vintage Androids. I attached one of his illustrations to give you an idea before you decide whether to explore these links.  I found them interesting, but they also creeped me out a bit.  But not as much as Roxxy.

Stupid rocket tricks #'s 10 and 11

Inspired by ESL-140:

#10 - Don't check that you monocopter's motor is pointed a little upward. This is the 2nd time I've done this. Grrrr.

#11 - Don't heed KenKzak's advice. After viewing the video of the Frankenstein MLAS's demise, I'm pretty sure it was stable. The flight profile during the initial thrust spike was good and then the arc over got worse during the burn. The H160 has an initial spike of ~377 N, it tapers down slowly for a little over 0.5 sec and then drops quickly. On an I357, it might have lived.

Launch Report 2010-1

Location: Higgs Farm, Price, MD (MDRA - ESL-140)
Weather: temps in the 40's, light breeze
Total flights: Today - 4; YTD - 4
Total motors: Today - 4; YTD - 4

I can not believe I actually got out to fly.  In all my days as a 're-BAR', I have never attended an organized launch in January.  The weather was great for this time of year.  Hopefully this is a good omen for the rest of the year!

The highlight of MDRA's January launch has become the Christmas Tree launch.  This year, I saw two tree drag races - one with two trees and one with several.  I missed the third, which was a fly-off with one that didn't go the first time.  Most flew on K motors but there were a few J's.  A few had fins, one had a pyramid base, some had no added stability aids, and one even flew inverted.  I have photos and a couple of short videos on OurPlanet (see below).

I didn't fly much due to extended recovery efforts for the Frankenstein MLAS and several misfires.  My back was also sore.

My flights included:

1. Hostile Projectiles V-2 on a D13-7 - The boost was fast and straight.  Recovery was a bit late but damage free.
   
2. Nike Smoker on a D12-7 - I filled half the nose with orange powder and taped the cone together.  The intake and vent ports were taped-over until it was on the pad.  The flight was good and a lot of the powder was ejected.  Viewing the video on my computer, you can see a hint of the powder after ignition.  You can't see it on the post launch photo, but it was also all over that side of the rocket.  All-in-all, it was not impressive and was a big mess.
   
3. Art Applewhite Helix on a E6-4 - This was really hard to light and when it did, I had the monocopter upside down.  Thus, it just spun in place.  I can be such a doofus.
   
4. Frankenstein MLAS on a Loki H160-7 - It took off like a bat but arced over badly. Bounce.  People congratulated me on missing the irrigation ditch, but they spoke too soon.  The motor popped out and landed in the middle of the running stream.  Luckily, Richard had wading boots and the motor was recovered.  This ordeal did in my back, however.  Still, my back is in far better shape than the MLAS!

Click below to view the embedded slideshow and videos (not needed if you got to this post by a direct link):

Quicklaunch space cannon presentation (long)

USS Curtis Wilbur launched a Standard Missile-2 (SM2).

USS Curtis Wilbur launched a Standard Missile-2 (SM2)., originally uploaded by Official U.S. Navy Gallery.

You know the drill...follow the link back to the source to find other related photos.

The physics of space battles

Gizmodo published an article that explores how actual space battles might be conducted.  The author, Joseph Shoer, is a Ph.D. candidate in aerospace engineering.  He explains why such battles would likely be governed by orbital dynamics, kinetics and other such troublesome concepts. Methinks I like sci-fi versions better.  Still, it's a fun read.

Ya' call that a space cannon? Now, this is a space cannon

Photo credit: John MacNeill/PopSci

PopSci has an article on the Quicklauncher, a conceptual 3,600' long, sea-based cannon capable of launching half-ton payloads to orbit.  Ex-Lawrence Livermore physicist John Hunter had built a sub-scale version and has 'done the math' on big one.  At 5k G's, you better have a sturdy payload! (Hat tip to Clark Lindsey.)

Space camp rocket girl

DSC00504, originally uploaded by BarrettDiscovery.

Does your rocketry project have security problems?

Are other rocketeers stealing your ideas?  Are other teams sabotaging you in competition?  Has your reload hardware walked away?  If so, click below...

I wanted one until...

I saw the $150 price tag of the Fantastic Plastic Project Orion Battleship.

... WASPs and B-17

... WASPs and B-17, originally uploaded by x-ray delta one.

I haven't been finding any rocket girls lately, but at least this has girls and something that flew.

Valor Rocket

Valor Rocket, originally uploaded by Sascha Grant.

Sascha Grant has posted several photos of his new Valor Rocket, which was inspired by the rocket depicted in this post. I like the retro styling, which has a hint of Jayhawk in it. Actually, the magazine predated the Jayhawk so maybe the Jayhawk has some Valor in it?  Follow the photo link for additional views.  Great job Sascha!  Looking forward to the flight report.

Jacksonville, Florida's Cecil field gets its spaceport license

Have landing strip, need rockets. (paraphrased from Parabolic Arc's post title)

Q Motor !!!

Q Motor !!!, originally uploaded by jurvetson.

Follow the photo link to learn about the eventual target rocket, the Beagle-2, which will fly on four of these puppies. Three in the booster and one in the sustainer. They expect to hit 250k ft!

Hobby rocket motor archaeology (updated)

I wanted to document more about the unidentified motor that I mentioned in my build session report.  While I was at it,  I thought I might as well photograph a sampling of my current vintage motor "collection".  Top to bottom:

• E6-4 (also have an -8)
• F10-4
• G125-20
• G10-2 (not shown)
• Vulcan ?-? (no labeling, with tape ring)
• G80, shown for reference (older version)

Don't ask me about the funky delays, I just transcribed what's written on the caps.  As for the Vulcan motor:

• Manufacturer identified by reader and archaeologist KenKzak 
  
• It is 29mm x 120mm (4.75")
• Core burner with ~3" of propellant
• Nozzle throat is ~11/64" (0.172")
  
• Potting epoxy around nozzle is bright red
• Cap appears to be fiber, similar to Estes couplers
• It is probably late 80's vintage (per Ken) and acquired in the early 90's (Paul's best recollection)
  

My current guess it is a G-something.  It appears to be shorter than the larger impulse G's but is longer than the baby G's such as the AT G35.

The nozzle end photos, L-to-R:

• Vulcan ?-?
  
• G125
• G10
• G80
  

Around the blogs, yesterday

I just got in from an evening with friends and found several blog posts worth commenting on, reposting, or repackaging. But it's late so I'll touch on them briefly...

The Sprint ABM is cool and R2K found a great post on The Unwanted Blog about it.  It's packed with info, including details about how its double base/zirconium propellant was manufactured in situ. This short-form description doesn't do justice to the subject, so I really recommend that you read the source post.  It also links to several videos, including the following.  (I haven't read any other posts on the source blog but, having seen a couple of caveats, I'll note that I don't know if I agree or disagree with any of the other material there, and probably won't tell you if I do or don't.)



The 3FNC blogger has a lot of winter projects including one that's purposely missing a section of body tube.  Hmmm...

I found a RTF RC 'plane' that I'd want if I wanted to get into RC - the RCX4 Star Stryker X-Wing. Hat tip to Ars technica and what the heck, here's a video:

Q: What's a build session without building?

A:  Good fun chewing the fat (occasionally even about rockets) and chewing good food.  The rocket discussions were fueled by the fact that the other attendees were actually building. Paul gave me a bunch of old and oldish motors, which he'll hopefully enjoy as they blow my saucers up.  An old-style G35-4 should not be a problem but the F/G-? may be.  The latter has no label or other markings.  I also got two E6's and an F10 of older vintage.  Warthog out did himself with the bacon cupcakes.  I can't say they are my favorites but I'm glad I got to try them.  Thanks bro!

Sport Rocketry January/February 2010

Just to tease those who haven't seen their copy yet, I decided to tell ya' what's in this issue even before I've read any of the articles.

But I did look at the pictures, starting with rocket girl Carrie Steele and her awesome X-Wing Fighter :)

In the first article, some rocketeers from frigid Vermont tell us how to do cold weather launches right.  From prepping at home to layering the rocketeers and handling the all-critical launch batteries (and all related subjects).

Then, Drake 'Doc' Damerau trusts God, but brings data about the stress-testing of quick links. He also reviews other rocket material issues.  For those who don't get the mag can see the results on his rocketmaterials.org site.

The only launch coverage is of the US team FAI flyoffs. (And that's fine by me!)

There are two build articles. Chris Prinzi show us how to convert a Sheri's Hot Rockets 1/62 scale Shuttle kit for RC operation and Steve Jurvetson shines light on the BSD Diab-Glo night launch rocket. (Click the photo link to see Steve's Flickr post).



Next, Chris Elder explains how he promotes rocketry with fun contests using Estes Alphas. This of course can be adapted for any easy to build bird.

Finally, Leslie Houk leaks the Sacred Textfile of the Rocket Gods to we mere mortals.  Oh great, I bet the Rocket Gods punish us all for that transgression :D

The BATFE's new explosives list is out...

And, as expected, it doesn't include APCP (which is now differentiated from explosive mixtures)!

• Rocketry Planet Article 
• Commerce in Explosives; List of Explosive Materials (52KB Adobe PDF)

The RP article notes that, although equally benign, potassium nitrate propellants do not enjoy the same exclusion. 

The Big Picture rocks the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)

Check it out!

Rice researchers find the secret to nanodragsters

The first nanocars, build way back in 2005, were a real drag - their buckeyball (Carbon-60) wheels would only turn on gold plated race tracks heated to ~200 degrees Celcius. However, researchers at Rice University, led by Professor James Tour, have found that what works on larger track also works in nanoscale.  Their latest 'dragsters' use small wheels on short axles in the front and large wheels on large axles in the back.  Tour explains,

"The trick to making these nanocars was to attach the smaller wheels first, then deactivate their reactive ends through carbon group attachments that we called 'scythes,' much like blades on the centers of classical chariot wheels," Tour said. "Then we could affix the larger C60 wheels to the rear axle."

The front wheels, made from p-carborane, roll easily while the buckyball rear wheels 'grip the road'.

Professor Tour was recently identified as one of the world's top 10 chemists over the last decade by the NHRA UK's Times Higher Education. The criteria is the number of citations from his published papers.

A small but boring TGIF post (quick update)

 The new Sport Rocketry is out, but mine isn't here and mine arrived today!

Another ~2+ inches of snow and cold weather and wind...bad painting weather unless you have a vented booth.  As much emphasis as I put on painting, I will never have one. 

Other than said non-painting, the Delta X-15 is almost there. A little filling touch up, insert the motor mount, add the lugs and dat will be dat.  That's 3 projects stalled waiting for paint. (Well, dat is dat!)

Read the latest about the Project HyShot scramjet on the High Power Rocketry blog.

Bringing layered bean dip (and not much else) to tomorrows building session.  Can't wait for those bacon cupcakes, mmmmmmm bacon.

Eclipses Yield First Images of Elusive Iron Line in Solar Corona

Eclipses Yield First Images of Elusive Iron Line in Solar Corona, originally uploaded by Goddard Photo and Video Blog.

This shot blew my mind.

Rocket blog snapshot

As seen on my feed reader:

"Honey did you remember to baste the nose cone?" from High Power Rocketry

The 32 D-12 Christmas Tree Launch from The Rocketry Blog

Backfin Pale Ale

It's high time I make an entry in the Beer Garden, so I grabbed a Backfin Pale Ale.  This ale is brewed locally in Frederick by the Clay Pipe brewing Company.  It is malty and hoppy and is good enough that I'd have to drink others side by side to see which one I like better.  This one goes down easy.

N_a_z_i UFO mania

Suddenly, they are every where...

They are on the Discovery Channel...

 

They are in Sheri's CJS Aviation shop --->

 And, they may soon invade the Dungeon --->

The Delta X-15 siren song

I couldn't control myself.  The call to build was just too strong.  I thought about chaining myself to the couch but was too weak.  So, the motor mount, complete with aftermarket Kevlar is built, the strakes are attached to the main wings, and the built-up stabilizers are assembled.  Next up is some filling and sanding the strakes to shape.  There will not be enough left to bother bringing it to this weekend's build session.  I guess I'll do some missile-aneous cutting, some wire dipping and help Warthog with his Christmas tree [project cancelled]. Muahahahaha Boohoo.

ROCKETS Magazine, December 2009

Among other things, the holidays (along with the cold weather) have pushed my rocketry reset button.  My two ongoing project need paint and that isn't happening any time soon.  To the rescue...the December issue of ROCKETS!

The launch coverage ranges from Queensland, Australia to Colorado with stops in Virginia and Tennessee.  The ROCKETS crew attended on the Valley Aero Space Team's (VAST) August Rush launch that was held near Swoope, VA.  This site is a bit farther away for me than the MDRA, NARHAMS, or NOVAAR's sites but looks like a good one.  Unfortunately, they have lost their site due to what appears to be the misapplication of zoning laws.  They are fighting the issue so there may still be a 2010 August Rush.  I recently saw that MDRA donated proceeds from the Red Glare VII raffle to their legal fund. 

On the tech side, there is: a build report on a 0.641 scale, 9.25" dia. Patriot; part 2 of the series on rocketry electronics; a detailed description of Estes' version of Cold Power by Wes "Dr Zooch" Oleszewski; a how-to on fillets; and, last but not least, Alan Whitmore's overview of copper burn rate catalysts. 

Finally, there is the compulsory tribute to Paul Robinson.

Dr. Robert Goddard

Dr. Robert Goddard, originally uploaded by Goddard Photo and Video Blog.

Follow the photo link back to find more photos pertaining to the good doctor. Back further to see more about GSFC.

Steve Eves sounds off about his new project

Steve has provided some info and clarifications about his latest project (via Rocketry Planet):

There are some inaccurate info in the article I will attempt to set it straight. The project is a 1:9 scale Saturn 1b total height is 24' 7" tall, the rocket should weigh in at around 600 lbs empty.(estimate) The booster has 1-6" and 4-4" motor mounts the sustainer is a single 6" motor, this is a two stage rocket. The fins on the second stage will be pneumatically deployed after separation and ignition of the second stage will be achieved with the aid of a computer. Flight should be late 2010 or early 2011.

See my previous post, which includes a photo of what I believe is a part of the rocket.  I bet Liberty Launch Systems/ROCKETS Magazine will develop a page to track this interesting project.

Unreasonable Rocket 2.0 may look like, well, a rocket

Paul's latest post describes his Notional Next Rocket.  It be pointy and finned and would be headed for 100K+.  He wants to use valves an actuators from his Silver vehicle but the rest would be new.  Go Team Unreasonable!

Warthog's Starfighter launch at sunset BeFunky

More on the rockets that launched the microcomputer revolution

In this month's edition of the Citizen Scientist, Forrest Mims III provides more details about his early rocket experiments in Vietnam in 1967.  His experiments sound impressive and the stories about his encounters with MPs and helicopter gun ships are fascinating. Here's an excerpt:

Thereafter the military took more interest in my experiments with rockets and infrared travel aids for the blind. The night launch program was placed on hold, and on 16-17 June I resumed flights from a large field by the main gate at Tan Son Nhut and the race track, this time with a rocket equipped with a sun-tracking guidance system and a rocket that emitted pulses of ram air in response to radio signals controlled by holes punched in the tape of a modified, compact reel-to-reel recorder.

Photo courtesy of the USAF (and Forrest).

Cool stuff!  Looks like an Estes Big Bertha was his testbed.

Oh, yeah, then there's the whole deal about his rocket flashers leading to MITS and the legendary Altair 8800 microcomputer.  Yeah, cool stuff!

Here are other links about the author:

www.forrestmims.org
www.sunandsky.org
www.youtube.com/fmims
twitter.com/fmims

2010 as a tipping point

1954 ... rotting rockets, originally uploaded by x-ray delta one.

At the start of this decade, I choose to be optimistic. So does SpaceVidcast. I thought the cover of this vintage magazine from 1954 was appropriate to the theme (except maybe for the poster's title).  Happy New Year!!!