Category Archives: Rocketry

DIY space, Rocketry

Video: Amateur rocket motor tests in Mojave

A video of three rocket motor tests at the FAR (Friends of Amateur Rocketry) site in Mojave, California:

 

From the caption:

The first was a successful M-class 6-grain APCP 75mm motor by Eric Beckner. The second is a successful K-class 2-grain 89mm sugar motor by Rick Maschek for the Sugar Shot to Space program using sorbitol as the fuel and does not have a core, it burns on two exterior flat sides of the grains. The third and final test is a 6-grain 4.5″ (115mm) sugar motor using dextrose as the fuel by Randy Dorman and his son Theo. Unfortunately, the motor over-pressurized and CATOed at start up.

DIY space, Rocketry, Space participation

Kickstarter opens for LOHAN launch in NM

I mentioned earlier the UK’s Register newspaper’s LOHAN (Low Orbit Helium Assisted Navigator) project. They have now opened the crowd-funding campaign to pay for their launch at Spaceport America in New Mexico: Balloon launch of the Vulture 2 rocket-powered spaceplane by Special Projects Bureau — Kickstarter.

The world’s first 3D-printed, rocket-powered aircraft will lift off from Spaceport America, New Mexico, in Autumn 2014

Here’s their Kickstarter video:

DIY space, Near Space, Rocketry

Latest on the Register’s LOHAN (Low Orbit Helium Assisted Navigator) adventure

The UK’s Register newspaper has been hosting reports on the LOHAN (Low Orbit Helium Assisted Navigator) project, which aims to launch a small rocket powered plane (named Vulture 2) from a high altitude balloon. (See infographic below.)  Plans to fly the package in Spain were undermined by bureaucratic barriers to “explosive” model rocket motors. So they will fly it at Spaceport America in New Mexico if they can raise enough travel money via crowd-funding :  LOHAN packs bags for SPACEPORT AMERICA! – The Register –

[infographic]

Find videos about their endeavors here, including this one about their 2010 Paper Aircraft Released Into Space (PARIS)  project in 2010 to set a Guinness world record for highest paper plane launch :  

Education, Rocketry, Space Models

New SpaceX Falcon 9 model rocket + More about LittleBits SpaceKit

SpaceX has added a new model rocket kit based on the latest Falcon 9 rocket design: Falcon 9 and Fairing Flying Model Rocket Kit – Featured

Falcon9AndFairingModelKit

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I recently wrote about the LittleBits SpaceKit: Assemble your own space program that allows you to assembly many types of fun space-inspired gadgets from a set of electronic modules. Here’s an article about the SpaceKit: Build a Spacecraft at Home with NASA-Approved Space Kit – Space.com

 

Events, History, Rocketry

Model rocketry history + Northwest Xtreme Rocket Show

Here’s an overview of the history of model rocketry: The Dangerous Origins of Model Rocketry – i09.com.

Find many resources about rocketry and its history in the HobbySpace Rocketry section.

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Here’s an announcement in my email about a rocket event this June:

Northwest Xtreme Rocket Show – Oregon Rocketry

OregonRocketry is proud to announce the 4th annual national rocketry event Northwest Xtreme Rocket Show or NXRS. This event attracts those involved in extreme and research rocketry from across the United States of America. This year’s event will be held June 27th, 28th, and 29th 2014 at our premier site located in Brothers Oregon. Join us for NXRS and Get Your Xtreme On!

NXRS is a research rocketry event founded by your host Robert Krausert and director Fred Azinger. NXRS is sanctioned under Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA), and affiliated through our member club OregonRocketry. Attended by some of the most talented and extreme high-power rocketeers from more than 12 states. This national event is so attractive because of having the third highest FAA waiver for altitude, which is 42.280 feet Above Ground Level (AGL).

With the new rules introduced last year National Association of Rocketry (NAR) members in good standing are allowed to fly up to and including your certification level at this TRA sanctioned event. NXRS encourages use of both research and commercial motors. Spectators are allowed at this launch, but are not permitted in preparation areas or past the flight line. All spectators must sign a liability waiver and pay the event fee of $20. We encourage all who attend this event to have experience with high power rocketry and be familiar with safety risks. Children and pets are strongly discouraged. Please see the “Research Launch” page for full details of current rules for research launches.

Our NXRS goal this year is to exceed 1,000,000 Newton Seconds (Ns) of rocket fuel burned over the three day event. You are expected to experience people flying rockets where the motor fuel alone can weigh more than yourself. And that is for one flight. Attendance at NXRS can easily exceed 250 people with hundreds of absolutely life memorable flights from rocket ships of all shapes, sizes, and capabilities. Sooo… Whether you walk, bike, drive, fly or break out of jail – do not miss NXRS 2014.

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