Flight Log - 2022-07-26 - 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, matey, 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: 2022-07-26
Rocket Name: (BAR-10) The Cygnus Probe Ship
Flyer's Name: John Simmons
Motors: F42-4
Expected Altitude: 388 Feet
Wind Speed: 5.00 mph
Launch Site: Local
Actual Altitude: 388 Feet

Ignition be delayed, slight hesitation as is typical with a composite motor.

T' rocket accelerated quickly, plenty o' speed at launch rod exit (28.2 mph per sim)

Winds were less than 5 mph and from t' west. Begad! T' rocket did nay weathercock.

Just like t' 1st flight, matey, t' rocket was initially stable while under thrust, but was nay stable durin' t' cost phase. It tumbled end over end.

T' simulation software estimated apogee @ 388 feet, but t' rocket did nay reach that height due t' t' tumblin' durin' t' coast phase (no altimeter was used).

Visually as t' rocket descended, t' chute was fully deployed.

T' rocket ground hit south o' t' launch horse. Avast! Photo's were taken o' t' rocket at it's ground hit location. Ya scallywag! Upon further review t' rocket was undamaged except for a fracture o' one o' t' wooden legs which was easily repaired at a later date.

What be learned from this flight?

Even though this rocket swin' tested as marginally stable, me hearties, it is nay stable.

T' base drag hack used in Open Rocket isn't applicable t' this rocket since it has a tail cone design. Begad! Don’t use t' base drag hack if t' rocket has any sort o' tail cone.

I have since built an extension for t' upper body tube t' make t' rocket stable. Begad! I hope t' launch this rocket again and get a good stable flight.

StageMotor(s)
1Aerotech F42T-4

 

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