[ Not displaying correctly? View web version. ] | Peak of Flight Newsletter #438: | I discovered a different tool in the last few months that I want to share with you in this newsletter. I discovered it last year when a TARC team sent me a screenshot of a CFD analysis of their rocket design. They were wondering how to interpret the results and figure out why their rocket was going unstable. In Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #45, I mentioned that CFD software was another way to get drag information about your rocket. CFD stands for Computational Fluid Dynamics. That was what caught my eye when the TARC team approached me last year. They were using a tool that I didn’t know existed. In this issue, I'll show you the software and discuss its limitations and how it can best be used in model rocketry. | Read the rest of this week's article. Previous issues of our newsletter are found at our archive page. |
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Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! | The Satellite Killer was released in 1980 by Centuri Engineering Company. Since this kit was done in the final days of Centuri as a separate company from Estes Industries, there were no follow-up designs to the "War in Space" series of kits that this was a part of. The Retro-Repro Satellite Killer from Semroc is updated with laser-cut fiber fins. The original foil decals were changed to waterslide for ease of use and durability. Most of the rest of the model is faithful to the original design. |
| The original Astron Trident was released by Estes Industries in their 1968 catalog. Featuring a new ducted ejection system, the Astron Trident became an icon for futuristic models that would follow. The Semroc Retro-Repro Trident is very faithful to the original design, using nine precision balsa nose cones. The original did not have decals, but instructions were included to make some from cellophane tape, paint, and India ink. A waterslide decal is provided to replicate the original design. |
| The original Astron Omega was released by Estes Industries in 1970. It was designed by Mike Dorffler as a launch vehicle for his famous Cineroc, the first commercially available 8mm camera designed for a model rocket. The Semroc Retro-Repro Omega is close to the original design. The simulated Cineroc payload is included. This is a two-stage rocket. Both stages have slotted tubes for perfect fin alignment. |
| This is a reproduction of the Centuri Orion rocket that was released in 1971. It features modernized components like laser-cut fins and tube. With parts that could go in the Saturn V or the Saturn 1B, the Orion is designed to look like a futuristic interplanetary exploration rocket from NASA. It has lots of detail that gives the model great eye appeal that you'll be proud to show off. |
| The V-2 kit from Spacemonkey Models is begging to be converted into a real flying model rocket. This conversion kit allows you to do just that. It allows you to modify the plastic model (not included) and put a rocket engine and a parachute into the impressive model. It specifically allows the rocket to be flown with 24mm diameter model rocket motors. The rocket is the most accurate display model, and now it can take to the air too! |
| You wanted a more durable display stand than our inexpensive cardstock display stand. You asked for it, and we listened. This new stand made from 1/8" thick, laser-cut plywood and allows you to stand your rockets vertically so that they can stand up on a shelf. You've spent a lot of time building the rockets, now it is time to show them off. |
| The Egg-Tosser is a lightweight competition-style egg lofter that flies high thanks to its efficient design. It features a see-through egg capsule and molded foam egg cushioning. The elliptical fins are low drag too. Plus it comes with an optional Fly-Away rail guide that allows you to fly off a long launch rail, so the rocket takes off straighter with less weathercocking. |
| This accessory allows you to add strap-on booster pods to almost any model rocket. They are designed to fall away during the flight, just like the real ones used on the Space Shuttle. The set includes two booster pods. |
| This 1/24th scale plastic model of the famous WWII German ballistic missile, the V-2/A4, is highly detailed and makes a great display rocket. It features a large blow-molded tank, and injection molded fins and nose cone. It comes with a history DVD that you'll also enjoy watching. It is easily converted to a flying model by running a BT-55 up through the middle of the model (Note: Rocket conversion kit is now available!). |
| We now have in stock thin-wall fiberglass tubes. They are stronger than paper, have a smooth and paintable surface, and are lighter weight than a traditional fiberglass tube. We have them in 38mm, 54mm, 2.6-inch, and 3-inch diameter. |
| The Vapor rocket is a great way to show your students the parts that go into a model rocket. Its see-through body shows how the internal parts are put together. Everything is labeled so that common rocketry terms are easily learned. Its large size is perfect for rocketry displays and to recruit new club members. Comes with the "Rocket Components" poster shown below. |
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| "Apogee Components, like many companies, has an excellent selection of quality rocketry products. What sets Apogee apart is their outstanding educational support for all rocketeers. I regularly have my students use Apogee resources to research their SystemsGo (www.systemsgo.org) projects, from designing and building High Power rockets, dual deployment, electronics, and many other topics in model and high power rocketry. I will always be grateful for their support and will always return that support at every opportunity.” — Richard (Houston, Texas) | |
NEW Website Developer/Designer - This person is critical to building and maintaining Apogee Components’ brand on the internet as well as gathering business requirements and developing specifications for web-based applications. The Web Developer/Designer has experience creating top-notch websites, landing pages, social media platforms and aspires to perfect the user experience and search engine optimization (SEO). The individual in this position will support other non-web design projects as needed. Communication Coordinator - Do you know rockets? We mean, really know them well? And do you know how to connect with people and get them excited about rocketry? This marketing postion requires a person that can come up with a lot of strategies and ideas on how to grow a business. Technical writing ability is essential and required too, as you'd have to produce innovative weekly newsletters and videos for our great customers. Located in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Apogee Components is a fast-paced and innovative rocketry company that is a leader in rocket information and education. We're growing because we strive to have the products customers want, and ship them the same day. You'll enjoy being part of a small but close-knit and friendly team that pushes each other to be their best. If you think this could be you and you want to get into the rocketry industry, contact Tim through our contact form on our web site. For additional information, see: https://www.apogeerockets.com/Company/Job_opportunities | |
Have you seen "Barks At Rockets" yet? - The new hilariously funny comic strip by our graphic artist Chris Duran is released every Thursday on our Facebook page. Be sure to check it out and share it with your rocketry friends. | |
| I need help with generating the biweekly newsletter articles, since it takes a lot of effort to put them together. And I'm willing to pay big bucks for your help. So ask yourself, are you looking to earn some extra money? I'm now actively seeking writers for articles to appear in this newsletter. And I want unique and cutting-edge articles because that is what you want to read, right? I realize this, so to get articles from outside writers that have the same level of quality, I'm going to have to pay a lot of cash to make it worth it for them. So I've come up with a compensation package where I'll pay up to $350 for good how-to articles. Are you a writer, and does that interest you? That is a lot of cash! Far more than you'll get by writing for other magazines. And with over 23,000 worldwide subscribers, if you write for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, you'll gain a lot of notoriety. Writing for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is a great way to show off your rocketry projects and your technical expertise, at the same time as helping out other rocketeers. Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that you made a difference to the hobby. If you're interested in writing, see the guidelines on our site. | |
We're up to something nearly every day of the week on Facebook, and we'd love it you could join us. Facebook is where you can interact with other Apogee fans. Here is what we do on our Facebook page: Monday: This Week in Rocketry Tuesday is Rocketry Share - sharing fun and informative space posts from other sites. Wednesday is "Newsletter Day" - We'll announce our newsletter for those who haven't subscribed (unlike you), and we'd love to hear your feedback on the video or newsletter. Join the conversation and share your rocketry knowledge. Thursday is "Humor Day" - We're scouring the web for little cartoons or jokes related to rocketry or the space program. Rocketry is fun and entertaining! Friday is "Feature Friday" - This is the one day where we pick a product and tell a little bit more about it. It may be when we started selling it, or some other little-known fact about the product. Saturday is "Launch Day" - We're out to launch... and we'd love to see a great photo of an Apogee product from one of your personal launches! |
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