All posts by joeadmin

L1 Certification, Technical

Receiving Parts for L1 Rocket

I carefully chose a rocket to gain my L1 certification. I wanted to get a rocket that I could also use with smaller rocket motors (which means I can legally fly it). Once I have my L1, I can then legally fly it using  larger rocket motors. The rocket I choose is a Callisto which I got from http://ausrocketry.com.

Below are some pictures of the parts carefully extracted from the delivery box and spread out for each viewing and inspection.

 

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While Rocket unopened. Contains Long Grey Quantum Tube which is the main air frame.
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Fins, Instructions in plastic bag, “Launch Guide Buttons”, Piston strap, Shock Cord, Piston, Parachute and Nose Cone

 

There were a lot of additional items required to build the rocket:-

  • 5 Minute Areldite
  • A scalpel
  • Paddle pop sticks
  • Sellys Epoxy Putty
  • 120, 240, and 400 grit sandpaper
  • Masking Tape
  • Dowling
  • Block of Wood (for mixing Areldite on)
  • Sticky tape
  • Pencil
  • Black Marker
  • Ruler
  • A large clean workspace with good light

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning

A Roadmap

As I have indicated, this is a massive undertaking and this is to be broken down into several smaller projects.  Below is a rough idea of how I think this should be done. Within each ‘project’ there are some main technical objectives and properties of each flight.

Obtain Amatuer Rocket Certification L1

  • Solid Composite Motor
  • Parachute Recovery
  • Launch Platform
  • Launch Electroncs
  • Multiple flights likely

Obtain Amatuer Rocket Certification L2

  • Solid Composite Motor
  • Parachute Recovery
  • Spin stabilisation
  • Basic electronics (Tracking + Camera + Sensors)
  • Multiple flights likely

Obtain Amatuer Rocket Certification L3

  • Purchased Hybrid Rocket Engine
  • Drogue Parachute + Parachute Recovery
  • New Launch Platform
  • More advanced electronics (Tracking + Camera + Sensors + acutators for Parachutes)
  • Multiple flights likely

Design/Build Nitrous Hybrid Rocket

  • Perform test burns and characterise the engine over different initial conditions (So we can accurate simulate it).
  • Construct Rocket for new Rocket Engine
  • Drogue Parachute + Parachute Recovery
  • New Launch Platform
  • Perform multiple Test Flights

Rackoon

  • Build Launch platform
  • Build electronics
  • Build Hybrid Rocket
  • Design/build/organise Balloon systems
  • Perform test Flights (controlled, small ones)
  • Perform Flight
  • Ultimately perform Rackoon Flights

NOTE: I suspect this last part project will be a lot longer to complete than the other ones.

I expect things to change as take this journey. However, I believe that is a sensible good start.

Obviously timeframes is one area that I need to think about. This series of projects looks huge, and indeed it is. But I believe that with some careful planning, we can re-use components and techniques used from prior projects. Not only will this save time, but it will give me an oppotunity to fully test components and improve upon them over time.