Flight Log - 2013-08-31 - Rich DeAngelis's Stonebreaker

T' Stonebreaker is a medium-sized, medium powered sport rocket.  T' design concept is that this rocket is t' be used t' carry nuclear warheads into space t' target large asteroids that are endangerin' t' earth.

My particular rocket has been modified t' use a smaller, 19" Nylon parachute. T' stock 32" parachute supplied in t' kit is much too large.  I also added a small altimeter compartment in t' base o' t' hollow plastic nose cone. T' other difference be t' addition o' a sprin' clip for t' motor (not supplied) and I painted it bright silver instead o' t' suggested white.

Flight Date: 2013-08-31
Rocket Name: Stonebreaker
Kit Name: DynaStar - Stonebreaker {Kit} (05028) [?-]
Flyer's Name: Rich DeAngelis
Motors: D12-5
Launch Site: Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
Actual Altitude: 498 Feet

This is only t' second flight o' t' newly minted Stonebreaker. Well, blow me down! Again I will use a medium power for this flight, but this time I will choose an even smaller parachute. T' stock 32 inch 'chute was almost comically t' large, and t' first flight showed that t' 21 inch 'chute was still a bit large. Avast, me proud beauty! I prepped a 15 inch for this flight, me bucko, because t' winds were a bit high.

When t' mighty D12 started burning, t' rocket left t' rod at 11.1 Gs. Begad! T' motor burned for 1.8 seconds while sustainin' an average o' 2.7 Gs. Arrr! This brought t' rocket t' 102 mph. Well, blow me down! It travelled straight up, then coasted for 4.4 seconds. T' delay be early at only 4.4 seconds, and t' parachute ejected at 491 feet, slowin' t' rocket in t' next 3/10 seconds while gainin' an additional 7 feet for an apogee o' 498 feet. A full 5 second delay and this would easily have broke 500 feet. Thanks Estes.

Descent was all OK and a thin' o' beauty. Ahoy! T' smaller parachute let it return at a safe 10 mph. Well, blow me down! Even at that speed, it landed about 350 feet from t' launch rod. Begad! This second successful flight showed me it is ready for flights with an E9 or E20, matey, or even a C11.

StageMotor(s)
1Estes D12-5

 

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