Flight Log - 2024-05-30 - John Simmons's (BAR-10) The Cygnus Probe Ship
A flyin' model rocket based on T' Cygnus Probe Ship from t' movie T' Black Hole.
This rocket is mostly made from pine components turned on me wood lathe.
It is powered by a 29mm motor.
Gettin' t' rocket t' be stable has been quite a journey. It swin' tests as stable, yet if you check out t' flight reports, arrr, it flies stable under thrust, but then tumbles durin' t' coast phase.
I've built and swin' tested t' rocket usin' an extension for t' BT-55 main body section. I have yet t' launch it with this new configuration.
Link t' Build Thread.
| Flight Date: | 2024-05-30 |
| Rocket Name: | (BAR-10) The Cygnus Probe Ship |
| Flyer's Name: | John Simmons |
| Motors: | F52-5 |
| Expected Altitude: | 422 Feet |
| Launch Site: | Local |
| Wind Speed: | 4.00 mph |
| Wind Direction: | From the E |
| Stage | Motor(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aerotech F52-5 |
Launch Report: Cygnus Probe Ship With Body Tube Extension
Date: 2024-05-30
Background
- This be t' 3rd launch o' t' Cygnus Probe Ship. This version has t' longer body tube. T' previous launches were both unstable.
On Site Preparations
- For waddin' I used a Nomex recovery bag.
- For a parachute I used a 18” Nylon chute.
- This launch will use a F52-5C Composite motor. This is Aerotech’s “Classic” propellant which is nearly clear durin' launch.
- T' supplied Aerotech igniter be used.
- T' rocket was slid onto t' 5/16" launch rod and t' controller wires were attached t' t' igniter leads.
Launch
- Wind was out o' t' East and be about 4 mph at t' most.
- John stated t' sky was clear - launch site be clear and did t' countdown: 5-4-3-2-1. Teresa pushed t' button on t' launch controller.
- T' motor ignited and t' rocket leaped off t' pad. It flew stable upward but then went unstable headin' toward t' East. T' chute deployed and t' rocket ground hit 270 feet from t' launch horse.
Condition o' rocket after t' flight
- T' rocket be uninjured and flight ready.
Conclusions
- T' Rocketry Forum member Andy, sr205347d, ya bilge rat, speculated that t' outriggers and legs, me bucko, bein' round, were t' cause o' t' instability. I feel this last test with t' extended body tube shows that Andy is indeed correct. While t' extended body tube helped, t' rocket is clearly still unstable.
- A strin' swin' test was performed and t' rocket passed that test.
What I learned
- Post flight discussions on T' Rocketry Forum have lead me t' add some "Sails" t' t' outriggers that will induce roll stabilization. Arrr! We'll fly this one again.
| Actual Altitude: | 150 Feet (Visual) |
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