L3 experiences, advice, or just general ponderings...

This topic has 79 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 2 months ago by John A. Wilke.

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2011-01-25 at 8:45 pm #53499
Jeffrey Joe Hinton
Moderator
OMG, I recognize that fixture. Z folds or taped bundles or carpenters chaining, whatever you want to call it, is like adding elasticity to an otherwise more rigid and finite length of shockcord.
2011-01-25 at 8:56 pm #53500
James Russell
That is Z folding extreme! I remember that fixture. Doug likes making things to make things easier. I think he just likes making things. 🙂
2011-01-25 at 9:03 pm #53501
Bruce R. Schaefer
Holy crud, Doug! No wonder your rockets always deploy perfectly. Bret, you couldn’t have had a better display.
2011-01-26 at 2:07 am #53502
Doug Gerrard
Participant
Since the pictures were taken, I have moved to masking tape instead of the electrical tape. I’m more lazy than environmental and cutting all those little pieces of tape was too much work. I got an automatic tape dispenser from McMaster that measures and cuts the pieces to the same length. It was kind of costly but saved a lot of time taping all those wraps. It is even battery operated for the field.

Doug
2011-01-26 at 3:24 am #53503
Warren B. Musselman
Moderator
Exactly what I’m talking about – except that I wrap the packets in different # of layers – one packet with one layer, then 2, then 3, etc. That way they pull apart in the order I want to prevent tangling.

Warren
2011-02-03 at 1:04 am #53504
sserell
Great thread! I just received an email that I am now a new TRA record holder for the H staged class, so I am trying to close in on Wilkes TRA holdings!

http://www.tripoli.org/Membership/ContestsandRecords/RecordHolders/StagedClusteredClassRecordHolders/tabid/126/Default.aspx

Actually I went for the low-hanging fruit as there wasn’t a current H staged record. But this was my first staging attempt and it was a test bed for my I staged flight for which the 29mm 2 stage was designed. That flight went well but I lost tracking on the sustainer around apogee, charge probably blew the trackers (Sorry JW) antenna off. Still MIA.

Doug K and I decided to go for 3 stages at BALLs this year -N-M-L, which in my opinion is the most appropriate place to really test stuff pushing the limits. Something happened on our initial Boost around the Mach transition and a couple loops later it was back on the playa. Only cracked the 4″ above the coupler so it is still flyable for my L3 attempt in May… We re-launched the 3 to 2 inch again at Balls and on our 2nd attempt got a successful hookup and hit around 34k feet with the 2″ and Mach 3. Our high temp auto enamel paint almost completely ablated.
Each and every one of these launches I learned a ton, so even in failure you are progressing in the hobby. In my opinion if you want to push it seek advice of experienced rocketeers – many thanks to JW as he has been invaluable in gleaning his high alt experience – but the only way to truly figure things out is for yourself, albeit experienced advice is always appreciated. -Sean
2011-02-03 at 4:45 pm #53505
Bret Packard
Participant
Congrats on the record Sean. That is super cool.
2011-02-03 at 10:21 pm #53506
Warren B. Musselman
Moderator
My congrats too Sean…
2011-02-04 at 4:14 am #53507
Adrian
Participant
And congrats to John Wilke whose I216 flight was officially recognized on the Tripoli record site, too.
2011-02-06 at 9:34 pm #53508
John A. Wilke
Participant
And congrats to John Wilke whose I216 flight was officially recognized on the Tripoli record site, too.

Thanks, Adrian – I see you poking around up there on I motors as well 😀

I understand there is a new set of rules about to be published?
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