November 12, 2006
Rockets don't have to be boring
Normal rockets are often called "three fins and a nosecone". This entry in the most recent EMRR rocket design contest is anything but. Wicked cool.
Posted by: Ted at
12:24 PM | category: Rocketry
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1
Whoa. That is waaaay cool!
What's a GC and a Pico Alt?
Posted by: Victor at November 12, 2006 02:27 PM (l+W8Z)
2
CG (assuming you transposed those letters) is Center of Gravity. On a regular rocket, it has to be one caliber (body diameter) or so ahead of the Center of Pressure in order for the rocket to be stable in flight. On an odd rocket like this the math to figure it out would be a nightmare, so the rule of thumb is more forward is better. That's not always true, but it usually is.
The Pico Alt is a barometric altimeter that reports the peak altitude and deploys the parachute. It's only 1" long by .5" wide!
Posted by: Ted at November 12, 2006 06:57 PM (+OVgL)
3
Whooops, you're right. I transposed the letters. There are lots of other cool designs on the
first page of the competition, but I'm sure you know that.
Posted by: Victor at November 13, 2006 09:01 AM (WHtgF)
4
Just Damn - that is an amazing bird.
'Way cooler than the Estes Sputnik. Remember that one?
Posted by: Elisson at November 16, 2006 05:38 PM (6vBFZ)
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November 05, 2006
I had to post this
A lot of guys in hobby rocketry volunteer their time doing educational outreach things like talking to students or putting on demonstration launches. Doug Pratt blogs about a recent Q&A he had with some students. You should go read the whole thing (it's short), but I'll give you this much. After explaining that no, he doesn't work for NASA, one of the kids asked Doug how he knew so much about it. Here's his reply:
“I’m not a scientist or an engineer. I know a lot about this stuff because I love it. That’s all you need.”
Amen.
Posted by: Ted at
08:19 AM | category: Rocketry
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