New SSS/SSSS Thread

[Kenneth ReillyParticipant]

I never thought much about this… CATOs are pretty rare. Then I had TWO G80s CATO for a TARC project! AAAAAAGGHHHHH!!!!

Do *not * use lot #010406!

Some of you guys might be interested to know that the G80 that blew up on me on 9/9 was #001436. It went overpressure with enough force to blow out both ends, and there are parallel cracks in the case running about 80% of the length of the case. Neither the delay grain nor the propellant grain show any obvious sign of ever having ignited.

Ken Reilly

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Saw Ken’s CATO (Ken, thanks for LCOing Sat) and am re-thinking the SSS this year. I was ready but the tower wasn’t with the equipment. I pulled the MAWD out of my SSS bird and installed it into my RMTB III for Oktoberfest. Best case, I’m out $20; worst case, the bird blows and I may lose the MAWD–if she doesn’t blow, still may lose the MAWD. Winning the pot would be a break-even for me. Probably just cram the MAWD back in and shoot it towards the end of the year, Nov or Dec. 🙄

[Tim Thomas]

Bruce, I have been hording 5 or 6 G80-10 that I got over in Utah last winter. We can check the numbers, but I don”t think these are in the bad batch. And as always put a Fuddrucker igniter in them and you should be good to go. I have used over 100 fudds and never had a misfire. My SSS is going in Octberfest, so we will see…. 8)

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Well, I can’t change motors out. I can only cut mine out and verify that it’s a G80T. 🙄 After our drag race, I’ll put the MAWD back in and give ‘er a go. And, I’ll have to buy a fudd off ya. 🙂

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Hey, is Bob Messner’s tower going to be at the next launch (11/4) for the SSS? If so, and the weather’s agreeable, I’m ready to put ‘er up. Just need another 4 oz. in weight… in for a penny, in for a pound. I’ll be honest, my sim says mine should be 1.12 lbs. to reach 6580 feet. While I don’t think that’s gonna happen, this year it’s all the sim’s call. Who am I to argue? 🙄 My nosecone is blunt, and it was a decision based on how long my bird will be at mach or above. If longer above mach, then pointy is ideal. If less, then blunt is fine. 50/50 at mach, then it really doesn’t matter. Trade-off’s. 🙂

[Kenneth ReillyParticipant]

Just a wrap up on the G-80 cato…. I received my compensation from Aerotech today. A pair of G77-10R Loadable Motor System kits – one for the G80 and one for the rocket. All in all a fair shake, I think.

[Chris LaPanse]

I never thought much about this… CATOs are pretty rare. Then I had TWO G80s CATO for a TARC project! AAAAAAGGHHHHH!!!!

Do *not * use lot #010406!

Some of you guys might be interested to know that the G80 that blew up on me on 9/9 was #001436. It went overpressure with enough force to blow out both ends, and there are parallel cracks in the case running about 80% of the length of the case. Neither the delay grain nor the propellant grain show any obvious sign of ever having ignited.

Ken Reilly

😯 😯 😯 😯

I just saw this today. My SSS rocket has one from lot 001436 in it. It’s attached in a way that I can’t get it out now without really destroying the rocket, so I guess I’ll just hope for the best…

If it catos, well, I would have probably lost it anyways…

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Those who saw my SSS at Oktoberfest know I’m stuck, too. Can only remove the motor once, after the flight. Since 1965, I’ve never CATO’d. ‘Bout time, I guess. Rocket gods won’t let that go on forever. Hey, as long as it doesn’t hurt the MAWD, I’ll give it a shot. I’m set for 6500’ according to the sim if I can add another 4 oz. So, we’ll see. 🙂

[Anonymous]

…. Since 1965, I’ve never CATO’d. ‘Bout time, I guess.

Never CATO’d????? goodness, what a charmed life you live!

I had the mother of all CATOS many years ago on a PML Ariel at the Atlas site. It is not uncommon for parts to be found to this day. Most of the old timers remember the flight well. It was an I284, and it had blowby at about 900′. Parts rained down for a long, long time. Heck, the way they are still being found, apparently they are still falling :-O

I had two G80s CATO out of three flights on my TARC project last year.

I keep a very detailed log. I’ve had exactly 200 HPR flights… I’ll have to look. I believe I’ve had perhaps 5 CATOs?

JW

[Bruce R. Schaefer]

Well, my friend, I am due… won’t be as spectacular as yours though. 🙂

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