TARC Team 16-1089 Rock-It

03/20/2016

Update as of March 19:

The second model was constructed using a similar design to rocket 1. This time, however, the rocket made significantly lighter and its length was shortened. Based on these changes, we expected the rocket to fly higher and closer to our target of 850 feet.

Results:
Mass before Launch: 465g
Altitude: 916 feet
Time: 73 seconds

Link - https://youtu.be/CIgHBgy9GL8

Conclusion:
Once again, the bottom portion of the body tube was ripped by the shock cord. To fix this, we are brainstorming different ways to strengthen that section. Perhaps, adding a ring within the rocket will prevent the cord from ripping the tube during flight.

This launch was overall successful in that the rocket went significantly higher and much closer to target height. Consequently, the change of mass also caused the rocket to take more time to come down. However, this was expected to happen and to reduce the amount of time it takes for the rocket to land, we have decided to reduce the size of the parachute for the next model. We also plan to do some calculations to estimate the amount of mass to add to the next model so that the rocket will fly closer to 850 feet.

03/20/2016

Update as of beginning of March -
We purchased multiple F20W-4 rocket motors and borrowed launch equipment from Mr. Katz to test our two prototype rockets. Understanding that we would need to launch somewhere with a wide open field, the team headed to Heinsteins Park in Mendham: an area that is normally empty and has a large open field ideal for launching rockets.

The purpose of designing two different rockets was to in some sense quickly figure out the path that would most easily lead to our target height and duration. If one showed more promising results than the other, we believed it would be easier to take that design, improve upon it, and test it again knowing that we explored other options and that this option was the best.

Results:

Rocket Prototype 1:

Flight 1:
Mass before Launch: 610g (note that additional mass was added to the rocket in order to test how the rocket would perform at the near maximum which is 650g.)
Altitude: 635 feet
Time to Apogee: 6.15 seconds
Total Time: 49.5 seconds

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRowjAyTUWA&feature=youtu.be

Flight 2:
Mass before Launch 614g
Altitude: 647 ft
Time to Apogee: 6.85 seconds
Time: N/A
Observations:
-rocket separated after a bulkhead attaching the two parts together dislodged.

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO9fjkEEjUY&feature=youtu.be

Rocket Prototype 2:

The decision was made for both rockets that the altimeter was to be put in after their maiden flights because it was thought best at the time that the altimeter would only be placed in after we knew that the rocket was structurally sound.

Flight 1:
Mass before Launch: 700g (exceeded weight limitations)
Altitude: N/A
Observations:
-Shaky start
-observed to have gone higher - most likely because of the different nose cone which has less drag than the nose cone from the first rocket
-rocket separated after the shock cord ripped out of the bottom half

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl8zNUg_Cvo&feature=youtu.be

Conclusion:
Based off the results and flight observations (note that there were additional flights without the altimeter in), it was decided that the primary prototype would be taken and improved upon. Because it only reached a height of around 640 feet, it was decided that the additional mass be taken out. Furthermore, the rocket was to also be shortened. Also, extra precautions were to be taken to support the parts that broke.

Mass before Launch: 610g Altitude: 635 feet Time to Apogee: 6.15 seconds Total Time: 49.5 seconds

11/28/2015

Meetin Recap - 11/25/15
Jinfay, Shreyas, Dan, Nalin, and Max met to assemble the rocket components that came in the parts pack into a prototype based on our design in RockSim. To accomplish this task as accurately as possible, the team used Adobe Illustrator to cut out exact templates for fins, used improvised tools of measurement to make sure every component was properly placed within the body tubes, and strategically glued certain areas with a mix of gorilla glue and hot glue to make sure everything was sturdy. With that said, the team's first prototype is finally complete and is ready for its maiden launch.

11/25/2015

Meeting Recap - 11/15/15
Shreyas, Shalin, Jinfay, and Dan met to work with the recently received parts pack. The team sketched out the dimensions, length, and distribution of the mass in the rocket, and created a prototype with said dimensions in RockSim. Factors such as length had to be adjusted multiple times to accommodate the space taken up by the foam egg holders and ensure an optimal center of gravity and center of pressure. Ultimately, we were able to create a prototype reaching 846 feet and within the 44-46 second time range. The team also pulled out the materials that would be used from the parts pack and took guidance from Mr. Katz about spacing out the egg holders, how force would be applied from the motor, and how much glue to put to prepare for building the rocket next meeting. All parts were also measured in planning out the length and all tolerances were inspected; all the parts were found to fit together well, setting the stage for building the first prototype after acquiring the appropriate types of glue.

11/11/2015

Meeting Recap - 11/8/15
Having performed three test flights with pre-created rockets, the team decided to start purchasing parts to put together a rocket that meets TARC specifications. After researching past winners, drawing out sketches, and testing possible options in Rocksim for expected height and flight duration, the team settled on a parts pack for a 2.6" diameter (BT-80) rocket with an F-20 motor. We also met with Mr. Katz to discuss optimal rocket weights, fin types, materials, and flying logistics such as parachutes and launch pads. The team will begin putting together the first prototype as soon as the parts pack arrives within the next few weeks.

10/25/2015

Meeting Recap - 10/25/15
Today, Jinfay designed the Estes Firebolt model rocket (seen in previous pictures) on RockSim to simulate the theoretical height of apogee. The old, ripped parachute was also replaced with a stronger nylon parachute. The team then travelled to a nearby park to test launch the rocket mounted with the altimeter. In order to mount the altimeter, a cushioned capsule was designed using foam rubber. We had planned for 3 tests: the first 2 to test the parachute (to make sure the rocket was safe for the altimeter) and the last one to test the altimeter. The first test proved that the parachute properly deployed and could safely bring the altimeter back if it was mounted. However, near the end of the launch, high wind guided the rocket across the launch field on top of a tree. After numerous efforts to recover the rocket failed, the rocket was lost. Despite the loss, we still had the altimeter and observed that the rocket had launched according to and very similar to that of how the simulation software said it would.

10/25/2015

Meeting Recap: 9/23/15
The team went to meet with mentor Dave Katz from Picatinny to learn more about Model Rocketry and discuss any questions relating to how the competition rocket should be designed. We also started testing out the simulation software and began establishing which software (RockSim or SpaceCAD) would the team use. To test this, we built the same sample rocket on both programs which surprisingly, displayed results that differed wildly from each other. Perhaps, the error was caused by our lack of experience with each program; however, based on reviews from past teams as well as the fact that half the team possessed Mac products (SpaceCAD does not work on MAC OSX), the team established that RockSim will be our primary simulation software.

10/25/2015

Meeting Recap - 10/18/15
Jinfay and Max met at Parsippany Library, having received the altimeter for the rocket. During the meeting, they fixed up the previously used rocket to ensure a smooth and successful third flight and developed a method to mount the altimeter to the rocket for the next flight. The goal of the next flight will be to test the effectiveness of the altimeter and whether we can safely adhere it to the rocket for the duration of the flight.

10/25/2015

In our first building meeting, we built an Estes Firebolt model rocket with a D-12-7 engine using a kit and conducted two launches in Greystone Park to observe the altitude of the rocket compared to the weight, analyze the effectiveness of the parachute and launch pad, and prepare to use an altimeter in future test launches. Both flights went relatively well, although the poor materials used for the parachute caused it to rip and malfunction in both flights (there was minimal damage to the rocket, however). We also took time to work on social media and promotional materials for future use.