Preparing a Basic Rocket for Launch

Transcription

1 Preparing a Basic Rocket for Launch The following shows how to prepare an ESTES Patriarch for launch and the procedure for launching using the QRS launch controller. The motor we will use is a C6-5. This is typical of a beginner s rocket. Step Image Description This is how the assembled rocket looks. It has a cardboard tube airframe, plastic fins and launch lug and a balsa wood nose cone. The rocket should be inspected for any damage prior to preparing it for launch. Here is an exploded view of the rocket showing the shock cord, separated nose cone and plastic parachute. The parachute has been attached using a swivel to reduce the likelihood of parachute entanglement. These are the tools and materials that will be used for the preparation. They include; scissors, a stick (about 20cm long), some flame resistant wadding (ceiling insulation in this example), flame resistant cloth (in this case, a cotton t-shirt), a C6-5 motor, an igniter and an igniter plug. 1 Cut out a small square or circle of cloth that is slightly bigger than the diameter of the airframe. Grab a small amount of wadding and press it into a ball small enough to fit into the rocket tube. 2 Pull the shock cord free of the rocket and insert the wadding and material into the forward end of the rocket as shown. Use your finger and then the stick to push the wadding far enough into the rocket to allow the shock cord, parachute and nosecone to be fitted. You may need to hold the shock cord as you do this to prevent it being pulled in. The wadding will prevent the motor s ejection gases from scorching the parachute. QINFO -003 Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 1 of 5

2 3 Fold the parachute using the QRS guide, How to fold a hexagonal parachute. Applying talcum powder to the parachute before folding it will help it to open after deployment. A clothes peg may be used to hold the folded parachute until you are ready to insert it into the rocket. 4 Insert the shock cord and then the folded parachute into the rocket. Having the open end of the parachute facing aft (towards the motor) will facilitate deployment. 5 Place the remaining shock cord into the rocket and insert the nose cone. The nose cone should fit into the top of the tube without any gaps between it and the rocket tube. The top assembly is now complete. 6 Remove the motor retainer from the base of the rocket and insert the motor ensuring that the motor s nozzle faces aft. 7 Replace the retainer making sure that it is firmly in place. QINFO -003 Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 2 of 5

3 8 Inspect the igniter carefully. The bridge wire and pyrogen coating should be intact and the lead wires should not touch each other. Hold the pyrogen coated end firmly and bend the igniter leads back on themselves toward the white side of the igniter card as shown. This will ensure good contact with the alligator clips on the launch control cable. 9 Now hold the rocket in one hand with the launch lug facing toward you. Insert the igniter into the cylindrical hole at the base of the motor with the white side of the igniter card facing away from you. Apply light pressure to the ends of the igniter leads to keep the pyrogen all the way forward and in contact with the propellant inside the motor. Press the igniter plug into the motor nozzle so that the igniter leads are separated and pushed away from you. Ensure that; 1. The pyrogen stays forward and in contact with the propellant inside the motor. 2. The igniter leads are facing the side of the rocket opposite to the launch lug. 3. The igniter leads do not touch each other. The rocket is now ready to launch. 10 Complete a green flight card and present it and your rocket to the RSO (Range Safety Officer) for inspection. The rocket will be inspected to ensure that it is OK for launching. The RSO will check the flight cards to ensure that all of the details have been entered. The RSO will then sign off the card. QINFO -003 Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 3 of 5

4 11 After the RSO has signed the flight card, see the LCO (Launch Control Officer) and wait for permission to set up your rocket on the launch pad. At the launch pad, select a launch rod that allows the launch lug to slide freely over it. The blast deflector at the base of the rod prevents the motor s exhaust gases from scorching the launch platform and the ground below. The stand-off is used to prevent the igniter leads shorting on the blast deflector. If the igniter has been fitted correctly, the igniter leads will face away from the launch rod. Connect the launch controller cables to the rocket s igniter leads and note the number marked on the cable. 12 We have used launch cable number 3 so we need to check for continuity on pad 3. Follow the cables to the switch-box near the launch pad. Press the switch for pad 3 and look for the LED to light up as shown. If the LED does not light, re-position the alligator clips on the igniter leads and test again. When you have continuity, wait near the LCO s table until it is your turn to launch. Present the flight card to the LCO. 13 When it is time to launch, the LCO will enable your pad number (in this example, it is pad 3) by lifting the missile switch cover marked as 3 and flicking the toggle switch up. The LCO will ask, Do we have clear skies? If there are no low lying clouds or approaching aircraft, the LCO arm the system by turning the key switch (you will hear beeps to indicate that the controller is ready) and commence the countdown Launching in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,.. 14 At the end of the countdown, push and hold the launch button for a few seconds or until the rocket is launched. Now keep your eyes on your rocket! QINFO -003 Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 4 of 5

5 15 After the rocket is launched, the LCO will disable the launch controller by turning the keyswitch to off and pushing the missile switch cover down. 16 In the event of a misfire, the LCO will start the timer by pushing the blue button. The timer will count down from 60 seconds to zero. You should wait for instructions from the LCO before proceeding to the launch pad to investigate the reason for the misfire. QINFO -003 Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 5 of 5