Smash Rocketry New Group Project - The Proton M

This topic has 391 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 4 months ago by Kevin Osler.

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March 8, 2012 at 6:00 am #55374
smashburn
Hey Guys! I’m back .. pretty much ..

Rich .. awesome pic .. looks great! and BIG! 🙂 and thanks for the help .. and kind words .. and call for action. We still have a lot to do and can always use help .. and will need money as we progress.

Ed and Warren .. this design is a lot different as we are building an internal framework all the way up the middle that is the support for all weight .. basically the sona tube is just a skin going along for the ride. The spars and rings will be the strength .. and also that will distribute weight more evenly throughout the rocket. We’ll still need to add some weight up front and we will build in that option as well. we’ll also be able to get exact, or very close, weights on the motors so we can balance it well before we get to the site.

Be building again this Sat in Longmont .. same Bat Time .. same Bat Channel! that’s for you old farts like me! Bif! Bam! Pow!
March 10, 2012 at 3:48 am #55375
smashburn
We’ll be in Longmont working on the Proton again on Sat, 10am to whenever .. usually around 2 or 3pm. Lots of cool stuff to do.

We’ve been doing these builds on Sat as it seems the better day for most folks. However, if you’d like to help out and only have Sun free let me know as I am flexible or can do both.

Thanks!!
March 10, 2012 at 3:55 am #55376
James Russell
I would be willing to go Sunday. Let me know. I have to work Saturday.
March 10, 2012 at 4:29 am #55377
smashburn
I would be willing to go Sunday. Let me know. I have to work Saturday.

Sounds great .. I’ll call you tomorrow night and confirm.
March 11, 2012 at 4:49 am #55378
smashburn
Great day in Longmont. Thanks to Rich, Ken and Kevin for their help.

We got the booster motor/fin assembly built and it’s awesome!!
March 11, 2012 at 4:21 pm #55379
Adrian
Participant
So you’re ready for booster electronics, then? Do you have a spot to incorporate a panel with altimeters and batteries for the booster cluster ignition? I can do it in one or 2 panels. I’m guesstimating now that it would be around a 2″ x 4″ panel for each altimeter, which would ignite 3 of the 3 outboards. Should I make 2 panels so you can mount them symmetrically, or do you want it on one? What’s the plan for outboard ignitors? From an electronics perspective, nothing beats an augmented Q2G2 for sensitivity. But I can accomodate up to 16 V and 9 Amps on each channel with more batteries. Just let me know what you’re using and I’ll design the batteries around it.
March 11, 2012 at 5:51 pm #55380
smashburn
So you’re ready for booster electronics, then? Do you have a spot to incorporate a panel with altimeters and batteries for the booster cluster ignition? I can do it in one or 2 panels. I’m guesstimating now that it would be around a 2″ x 4″ panel for each altimeter, which would ignite 3 of the 3 outboards. Should I make 2 panels so you can mount them symmetrically, or do you want it on one? What’s the plan for outboard ignitors? From an electronics perspective, nothing beats an augmented Q2G2 for sensitivity. But I can accomodate up to 16 V and 9 Amps on each channel with more batteries. Just let me know what you’re using and I’ll design the batteries around it.

Thanks Adrian .. yes, plenty of room. One of the good things about BIG rockets! 🙂

We’re using a chute cannon to store and deploy the booster chute. Depending on final weight either a 6″ or 8″ tube about 12″ long. Either way we should have plenty of room for the electronics between the chute tube and main body tube.

The plan is to work on it again next Sunday 3/18 (not Sat) and I should get the chute deploy worked out and get it weighed. I’ll get some detail pics of the ebay area at that time. Feel free to drop by and see it up close.

I’ll check with James to see if he has a preference on igniters for use with his motors.

It will be the same design on each stage with a framework running the full length of each stage with a chute cannon at the top. On stage 2 and 3 they will have to be dual deploy so will have 2 cannons, a drogue and main in each. We could go drogueless if confident it will fall flat, but I’d rather have some sort of drogue to moderate speed.

Thanks!
March 11, 2012 at 6:12 pm #55381
smashburn
Steve,

Take a look at this chart –

http://www.alphahybrids.com/Media/TOROIDALPARACHUTEDATA.PDF

and let me know what looks in range. That way I can plan accordingly with fabric.

Edward

Edward, I’m thinking at this point the booster will be at least 50 lbs on descent. I’m building the chute cannon at the top, most likely an 8″ tube 12″ long. I assume that can easily accommodate a 10′ chute .. would that be enough .. it looks close on your chart. I do want to bring it down slow to protect the outboards from damage on impact. I hope to finish all parts for booster on next Sun and will have a more accurate weight.

I expect the upper stages to be a bit less in weight, maybe 40 lbs each. We will need dual deploy on them but the booster should be fine w/ main at apogee .. maybe 3000′. I still have my 2 – 8′ chutes from the Delta and 2 really nice 10′ chutes from the DragonShip .. though I understand your design is FAR more efficient in comparison.

I’ll keep you informed and drop by next week if you get a chance.

Thanks!
March 12, 2012 at 2:33 am #55382
Warren B. Musselman
Moderator
Man, I’m going to have to come down to one of the build sessions just to see this thing. I’m waiting with bated breath to see it fly.
March 12, 2012 at 2:52 am #55383
smashburn
I have a thread about this Project going on The Rocketry Forum as well, for those interested.

http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=32511
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