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Peak of Flight Newsletter #460:

Simulating Drogueless Dual-Deployment in RockSim

Ken Karbon writes this week's issue of the Peak-of-Flight newsletter on the topic of simulating drogueless dual deployment recovery in RockSim. “Drogueless” means there is no small drogue parachute for the first deployment event. The rocket sections just tumble chaotically while tethered together by a length of harness (shock cord). This allows the rocket to fall as fast as possible from apogee and minimize drift before the main parachute is triggered at a set altitude by an altimeter. Since the rocket is constantly changing its orientation and aerodynamic properties as it falls, it is impossible to simulate precisely in software like RockSim. So, some measured flight data is needed to tune the simulations. Continue reading by downloading the PDF version of this article.

Read the rest of this week's article here.

Previous issues of our newsletter are found at our archive page.

What is new in rocketry? Here are the latest items to land on Apogee's shelves!

New 30 and 36 Inch Parachutes

These are tough rip-stop nylon cloth parachutes with a highly visible printed pattern that adds some color to the rocket's flight. The fabric is soft and everyone says it feels like silk. Because of this, the chutes can be packed tighter to fit smaller diameter tubes.

Octagon shape, the size is measured from flat edge to flat edge.

These are great for mid-power size rockets because the construction is heavy-duty.

N-1 Moon Rocket

The N-1 rocket from the new manufacturer, Altaira Rocketry, is a 1/122 scale replica of the Soviet Union's moon rocket that competed against the American Saturn V. This model stands over 34 inches tall and flies on a cluster of six Estes D12's. This is a very difficult rocket to build, and we only recommend it to modelers with significant scratch-building experience.

Fin Shape Science Experiment Kit

The Fin Shape Science Experiment Kit allows you to find out through experimentation which shape performs the best. The rocket is designed to allow the fins to be quickly switched between flights so that the only variable being tested is the actual shape of the fins.

In this kit, there are four pre-cut fin shapes you can test, and another eleven patterns that you can choose from to make your own hand-cut fins. It also comes with a BT-55 size (33mm diameter) fin alignment jig so you can make sure all the fins are perfectly straight and uniform when attaching them to the rocket. The included display stand allows you to stand the rocket upright when you have it in your science experiment at school.

Fin Alignment Guides

Apogee has those inexpensive laser-cut cardboard fin alignment jigs that position and holds the fins while the glue dries. You get perfect alignment so your rocket flies straight as an arrow. This allows all the fins to be added at the same time in order to speed assembly. Now in five sizes: 13mm (BT-5), 18mm (BT-20), 24mm (BT-50), 33mm (BT-55), and 41.6mm (BT-60). The complete set is available here.

Winner!

This past year's Apogee Grant was won by the Rocket Project at UCLA. Check out the "Oxidizing Flow" video submitted by team member Nakul Gupta.

https://youtu.be/cEejXphvhtc

We're going to be doing mini-grants in 2018 to clubs and organizations that help Apogee to spread the word about our company. Details will be announced soon. But the main Apogee Grant for 2018 is still in place, so get those entries sent in so you can be considered.

“I start my search for rocket components and kits at Apogee. I appreciate the time and effort that has been put into this website and I usually find answers to questions about any product you carry. In addition, I have had excellent interfaces with your staff regarding questions about products. Your company and staff are excellent. Thank you for the Service you provide."

-- Richard Rakoff

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