Rich's L3SimpleRocket Build

I want to thank Hal Ellis, Chris Short, Chris Dondanville, and Kenneth Matzner for their input and assistance that allowed me to have a successful TRA Level 3 Certification flight on Sept. 2, 2018.

Final Configuration:

  • Length: 122"
  • Diameter: 6"
  • Weight: 39 lbs
  • Center of pressure: 94.5" from nose (Rocksim v9)
  • Center of gravity (mass), dry: 82.5" from nose (measured)
  • Stability ratio, dry [(CP - CG)/diameter]: 2
  • Motor: AeroTech M1350
  • Center of gravity (mass), wet: 86.5" from nose (measured)
  • Stability ratio, wet [(CP - CG)/diameter]: 1.33

Flight data from altimeter (Missile Works RRC3):

  • Apogee: 6695 ft
  • Max velocity: 749 ft/sec
  • Drogue: apogee at 20.5 sec into flight
  • Main: 999 ft at 100.1 sec into flight
  • Touchdown: 24.4 ft/sec descent speed at 131.6 sec into flight

From GPS (Missile Works T3):

  • Apogee: 7087 ft
  • Apogee at ~ 1636 ft down range
  • Touchdown at ~ 979 ft from launch rail
  • Touchdown at 3.4 ft/sec forward (over ground) speed

Launch video and snapshots may be seen immediately below

Final assembly and discussion with TAP memberInspection by TAP membersPaperwork with TAP members
IgnitionOff the railWeather-vaning
Nearing some scattered cloudsEasy to find landingReady for last step of recovery

Thanks to Elizabeth Booth and Dustin Dovala for the video and pictures!

Ground track from GPS (Missile Works T3) and displayed by VisualGPS.

L3Flight-GroundTrack.pdf

L3SimpleRocket Design Document

Initial Completed Version

L3SimpleRocketForLevel3-DesignBuildLaunch_20180705_1.pdf

Final version:

L3SimpleRocketForLevel3-DesignBuildLaunch_20180912_1.pdf

Fin Can Construction

Below is:

the aluminum thrust ring during cutting. Then after cutting, removal from stock, and awaiting cleanup (filing off hold down tabs and hitting the edges with emery cloth so I don't get cut).

The parts for one (1) G10 Fin, centering/thrust rings, centering ring segments.

The first fin assembly in jig while epoxy sets, and the completed fin assembly.

Dry fit of fin structure to the motor mount tube

Avionics (Altimeter/Controller, Camera) Bay

Below are the avionics bay bulkheads and coupler, along with the electronics sled having 1 RRC3 and 1 camera mounted

Below are the completed components of the avionics bay. 1 of the 2 RRC3s is mounted and all 4 cameras are mounted.

The finished rocket minus paint and rail buttons.