St. Andrew's Academy Rocketry Project

The Outcome

2008-04-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

Well folks, we didn't make it this year. On behalf of the team, I'd like to thank all of our supporters this year, and I'd like to encourage everyone to pay attention to our team next year should we be able to continue. Now, I say we very loosely since Serena Howe, Sarah Waterman and I will all be graduating in May. However, I sincerely hope that the program will continue. I think that this next round of team members will have to do a lot of work to make something happen, but that's exactly what we had to do. I feel confident that with determination, perseverance and a double helping of common sense, they can make something happen next year.

Sincerely,

Capt. Joseph Salvatore

First Launch Video

2008-03-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

22nd February Launch

2008-02-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

We had planned to launch today, but when we awoke to snow falling quite heavily I promptly postponed it. However, it cleared up round about 10 though, so myself, Shelby, Josiah, Peter and Lucas hurried and went out to catch what we could of the good weather. Set up was slow since we were missing Serena, Sarah and Mr. Bartel, but we got it done. Launched at 635 grams with a 19in parachute and hit 737 feet in 38 seconds. We're getting much closer! One of the fins broke, so we need to fix that before the next launch. Keep up your prayers!

-Capt. J. Salvatore

Year Three

2008-02-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

Greetings to all those who have stumbled across this blog.

In case you do not know, this is the official blog of the St. Andrew's Academy Rocketry Club. Here we post information regarding the Team America Rocketry Competition, notices to team members, and updates regarding our progress and our launches.

As Captain of this years team, I will be working as best as I can to make sure that this blog stays as up to date as possible.

It is my pleasure to announce that today we had our maiden flight of this year's rocket, and flew to a very successful 941 feet with no damage whatsoever. The goal for this year is to launch two eggs to 750 feet within a 45 second time frame. Our second flight today brought us to 783 feet and 36 seconds after a weight increase of about 58 grams. We will spend the next week or two re-evaluating and brain storming and will launch again soon.

Your ever-hopeful messenger of good news,

-Capt. J. Salvatore

ahem

2007-01-31T19:34:00.000-08:00

There has been... for a while.... a post where this one is. Ignore it. It was meant to be published to me OTHER blog (you know, the one no one ever reads) but somehow it migrated... I'm really not at all sure how that happened. But my apologies anyhow. Ignore anything you may or may not (probably not) have read.

-Serena

Hullo

2007-01-30T20:53:00.001-08:00

I have updated the Calender and will start blogging all the emails, so I would appreciate it if everyone would start making it a habit to check this periodically. I know I haven't been good at keeping it updated, but I will from now on.

Mr. Bartel's Comments and Concerns

2006-09-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

This is an email Mr. Bartel sent to me a week ago. Everyone please read this and pay close attention especially if it has anything remotly to do with your job. If you have any questions or comments on this, do comment please.

-Serena

------------------------------

Here are a few things that I will mention to you that I have concerns about:

1) I don't think that the Estes engines are going to get the team where it needs to be - to much variability in the propellent mass, nozzle dimensions (not sure if this is a factor), and especially the delay timing. Also we are going to be pushing the ability of this engine to get us the extra 50 m.

2) The options are to go with an 'E' sized engine from Aerotech (which might have the same issues) or to use an 'E' reload-able engine.

3) Would the team consider a electronically controlled ejection timer? Currently the engine has a delay built in and then burns a little more propellant to pop the parachute. I think the built in delay has too much variation. We could build an ejection system based on commonly available parts. I stumbled across a web-site that could be adapted to provide a safe way to generate ejection gasses fired electronically -

http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/thermo/thermo2.html

I would have to work with the person responsible for this, but ultimately, they would make design choices and built the system.

4) I think the team ought to consider having the booster separate from the payload section for recovery. The rules say that this is acceptable, and the time is based on the part of the rocket that carries the egg. Our last flight separated on accident and the booster section tumbled down undamaged while the payload took too long to get down due to less weight. If we design it this way, I think that there will be less variability in the dynamics of the descent so we should be able to be more consistent. The payload and parachute can be exactly the same for each flight - no variation in weight.

5) We ought to try to find a balance for weighing the rocket and components - more precise. Along with this we need to consider some kind of field table that can be leveled and possibly shield against wind.

6) I would like the team to buy a composite launch rod (much like an untapered fishing pole). This will be straighter and resist permanent bends - unlike the current rod. Here is a link.

http://www.graphitestore.com/itemDetails.asp?item_id=1069&prd_id=96&cat_id=34&curPage=2

We need to check the rules to see what the length requirement of the actual rod will be (we might be able to get away with the 6' length, but we could go for the 12' length and trim to size if needed). When we go to Va, we could take the rod with us ensuring a consistent drag due to the launch rod.

The Real Deal

2006-09-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

This is the job master list. Enjoy. :D

Launch Operations - Sarah
Data Retrieval - Joe
Flight Performance - Andrew
Vehicle Design & Integration - Joey
Propulsion - Shelby
Recovery - Amanda
Safety & Quality - Charris
Manufacturing - Joseph
Ejection - Joe/Serena
Supervisor - Serena (duh)

TO BE DONE BY NEXT TUESDAY TO PRESENT TO CLUB:

MANDY - Ejection Decision (or "do we want the electric ejection thing or not? other possibilities...?")
SHELBY - Propulsion Analysis (or "what sort of engine do we want? pros and cons of each..?")
CHARRIS - DVD from Shayne (doesn't necessarily have to be got by next club, but you do need to get this done asap)
SARAH - Basic Plan Thing
JOEY - see above

Jobs

2006-09-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

I've sent out an email on jobs, but I'll post it here as well.

I basically stole this list from last year. We still need these roles filled. I'm not including the payload protection person, becasue we have a working model that I think we were all extremely pleased with. Please tell me what you would like to do before Tuesday so we can talk about this. My notes are added in parenthesis at the end.

1. Launch Operations-this person is responsible for making sure that all items necessary for flight (test flights and qualification/competition flights) are packed and ready. He also supervises rocket preparation to make sure nothing is forgotten. Checklists must be developed to accomplish this which include the task description and who is to perform the action. They may ask someone to bring something, but they need to verify that it isn't forgotten. This also includes delegating someone to retrieve the rocket and to make sure that participants know the rules relating to their tasks so that all requirements for the flight operations are met. (I'm thinking this isn't a really time consuming job, so the person who does this will most likely be asked do something else as well. On the other hand, if you don't really have time for anything but a small job, this is the thing you for.)

2. Data Retrieval and Analysis - This person is responsible to make plans for recording flight duration, arming the altimeter, and retrieving barometric data from the altimeter. This person also accurately records payload and vehicle weight and the engine type before a given flight. He also maintains a log book of all the flights and configurations of the project so that data can be easily accessed as needed. This person is also responsible to recruit observers who can officially record the qualification attempts per the competition rules. Also records temperature and barometric pressure at launches to determine the impact of atmospheric density.

5. Flight Performance - Maintains design and simulation files to guarantee that the vehicle will hit the target altitude at the flight weight. Verifies that proper stability is maintained. Determines how much ballast must be added to the vehicle if required due to being assigned a smallish egg. Tries to anticipate the effects of cross-winds and determine the appropriate launch angle if needed. (Combine this Launch Operations perhaps?)

6. Vehicle Design and Integration - Receives inputs from team members regarding their needs. Makes decisions as to what vehicle configuration will best accommodate all requirements and will be durable enough to fly multiple times. Ensures that the altimeter is mounted correctly to give accurate results. Finds parts to build the rocket. Maintains a parts list and tracks cost of the rocket. Oversees assembly. (This person is going to have to do some serious research on rocket engines, Mr. Bartel had some concerns)

7. Recovery - Reviews various parachute configurations and defines a plan to characterize parachute performance. Selects the parachute to use during qualification and competition flights. (Another job that is going to really involve some research. Last years parachute did not work really at all. Mr Bartel told us to think about using an electric ejection thingamabob)

8. Safety and Quality - Reviews design and flight operations for conformance to NAR Safety Code. Verifies that spectators are not interfering with the team during preparation and launches. Reviews project for conformance to competition rules. Involved with rocket assembly to make sure that construction is sound.

9. Manufacturing - Reviews design to make sure that the rocket can be assembled. Primary assembler even though the entire team should be participating. Stores vehicles in a safe manner between flights. Orders parts and supplies to make sure that the rocket can be built on time.

Hey Gang

2006-09-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

It's a new year and another TARC challenge! This is the official Rocketry Blog, so you all are going to need to bookmark it or make it your home page or something. :D I will try to post all messages and agendas and whatnot here. Right now I can only post messages on this blog (Joe, please log on and make me moderator!!!), but once I get clearence from Blogger to change the HTML I'm going to add the Google Calender I made to this page. For now the calender can be accessed here. I'm going to call Mr. Bartel today or tomorrow and work out with him exactly what steps need to be taken to get this ball rolling. I'll post further developments.
-Serena

November 19th Rocketry

2005-11-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hey gang
Pretty succesful series of launches today. We got to work with the new altimeter and see how that works. We're pretty close to where we need to be as far as height. We measured 857ft. on the first egg launcher flight, and 858 ft. on the second egg launcher flight. The total flight time was about 40 seconds. If I'm not mistaken we need to hit 5 seconds but I'm not sure so someone will need to check me on that (and it might just be me). We were able to succesfully use the "fishing line" design for the altimeter, meaning that we activate the altimeter at the launch pad using a piece of fishing line strung through a hole on the outside. For the most part we were able to get the information from the altimeter and you can check all that out here:

http://www.geocities.com/standrews_tarc/chart_11-19-05-flt2.JPG

Mr. Bartel ran into a few dificulties while trying to transfer the info. Right now were not sure why that was, but if it shows up again we need to start thinkin about what could be causin this. Heres some hints for each of you guys for your quests.

Serena: For your egg protection capsle: Looking at today, we need to make sure that that egg can withstand a 12' drop. As long as it doesn't get too bulky, the safer the better I think. I'd feel safer if you were able to bang that thing around a bit and still keep the payload safe.

JoAnna: The way that that altimeter works is pretty nice. The way it reports the previous altitude is pretty easy to understand. The design that we have seems to work real well. We need to get a slightly bigger parachute to get that last 5 seconds in our flight duration. Serenas thinking that the egg can go in the nose cone so we're going to look into that. But we'll get together sometime to discuss how to get goin on a final design so Shayne can start ordering. Also, could either you or your sister get that program installed on the laptop so we can get it out when we launch?

Everyone else, hang tight. Thanks
-joe

10/28/05

2005-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ok. We've got jobs assigned. We're working on a schedule to be posted here on the blog. We've ordered the altimeter. We've received the DVD and the software.

Mr. Bartel took a look at the DVD and said that it was pretty boring but its got some good stuff in there. So what we're going to do is we're going to pass it around to each team member and have them sign the back just to make sure that they've seen it.

This Tuesday at the meeting we'll go over some designing. We need to decide what this bugger is going to look like.

Serena if you could get that handbook to Virginia that would be great. Virginia if you could then read through it and hold on to it. That is going to be your copy for the entirety of this project.

-joe

Jobs.... The Real Ones

2005-10-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Ok. Joe recieved a message from Mr. Bartel. Mr. Bartel was very kind in laying out the different jobs that need taken. And here they are

1. Launch Operations-this person is responsible for making sure that all items necessary for flight (test flights and qualification/competition flights) are packed and ready. He also supervises rocket preparation to make sure nothing is forgotten. Checklists must be developed to accomplish this which include the task description and who is to perform the action. They may ask someone to bring something, but they need to verify that it isn't forgotten. This also includes delegating someone to retrieve the rocket and to make sure that participants know the rules relating to their tasks so that all requirements for the flight operations are met.

2. Data Retrieval and Analysis - This person is responsible to make plans for recording flight duration, arming the altimeter, and retrieving barometric data from the altimeter. This person also accurately records payload and vehicle weight and the engine type before a given flight. He also maintains a log book of all the flights and configurations of the project so that data can be easily accessed as needed. This person is also responsible to recruit observers who can officially record the qualification attempts per the competition rules. Also records temperature and barometric pressure at launches to determine the impact of atmospheric density.

3. Payload Protection - Experiments to find an optimal configuration to protect the egg. Must look at shock along the axis of the vehicle and side impact shocks. Plans experiments to ensure that the cushioning will guarantee that the egg will not be cracked while minimizing size and weight.

4. Flight Performance - Maintains design and simulation files to guarantee that the vehicle will hit the target altitude at the flight weight. Verifies that proper stability is maintained. Determines how much ballast must be added to the vehicle if required due to being assigned a smallish egg. Tries to anticipate the effects of cross-winds and determine the appropriate launch angle if needed.

5. Vehicle Design and Integration - Receives inputs from team members regarding their needs. Makes decisions as to what vehicle configuration will best accommodate all requirements and will be durable enough to fly multiple times. Ensures that the altimeter is mounted correctly to give accurate results. Finds parts to build the rocket. Maintains a parts list and tracks cost of the rocket. Oversees assembly.

6. Recovery - Determines the best recovery method to protect the egg from cracking and to meet the flight duration target. Reviews various parachute configurations and defines a plan to characterize parachute performance. Selects the parachute to use during qualification and competition flights.

7. Safety and Quality - Reviews design and flight operations for conformance to NAR Safety Code. Verifies that spectators are not interfering with the team during preparation and launches. Reviews project for conformance to competition rules. Involved with rocket assembly to make sure that construction is sound.

8. Manufacturing - Reviews design to make sure that the rocket can be assembled. Primary assembler even though the entire team should be participating. Stores vehicles in a safe manner between flights. Orders parts and supplies to make sure that the rocket can be built on time.

Now we can overlap a few jobs. In fact we'll have to because we don't have 8 people. This list does not include a mentor (Mr. Bartel) or Project Manager (yours truly). So yeah. Email me at aliasneo64@hotmail.com or standrews_tarc@yahoo.com with you're top 3 choices in order from most favourite to least favourite. That means you.... JoAnna.

-joe

Jobs

2005-10-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

OK so here is what we have so far:

Mr. Bartel - Mentor

Joe - Project Manager/ (4)Flight Preformance

Joanna - (2) Data Retrieval and Analysis/ (5)Vehicle Design and Integration

Serena - (3) Payload Protection/ (6) Retrieval

Sarah - (1) Launch Operations

Virginia - (7) Safety and Quality

Shayne (8) Manufacturing

And there it is. Working on a schedule now.
-joe

Testing 1 2 3

2005-10-10T20:00:00.000-07:00

Ok team we got a blog. Comment so I can make sure this works.