| [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak of Flight Newsletter #497: | | 
An annular parachute is one with a giant vent at the apex. It looks like someone got carried away and made their central spill-hole way too large. Annular parachutes have been around since World War II but have not seen wide use. Their main claim to fame came in the mid 1970’s when an annular parachute was incorporated into a Mid Air Retrieval System (MARS) for air launched cruise missiles and satellites. Each specific annular parachute has its own set of aerodynamic characteristics, but generally they open more slowly than a normal parachute and oscillate less. Having flown one myself, I can tell you that they are really eye-opening when you see one fly. They shouldn't work, but sure enough, they do! In this article by Dave Flanagan, you'll see how to make your own annular parachute so that you can impress your friends at your next rocket launch. | | Read the rest of this week's article, either on a downloadable PDF for printing out, or on our website (great for viewing on your phone)! 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! | ProCast Castable Pyrogen Mix | |  ProCast is a special pyrogen mix that allows you to make igniters for those special situations where the motor is difficult to ignite. It burns far hotter and a little bit slower so that the heat and the pressure inside the casing are maintained to ensure that the motor ignites the first time. It is so powerful, that we have to warn you ahead of time to be careful when using it. If you use too much of this mix on your igniter (you make the pyrogen-head too big), it could provide too much pressure and blow your casing open. We are not responsible for your casing and what happens at launch, so use this stuff sparingly until you are familiar with its energetic nature.
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| Loadstar II Bulk Pack (12/pk) | |  The Loadstar II bulk pack is a great two stage easy-to-build rocket for classrooms. The kit has large fins, creating excellent stability in flight; you won't have to worry about the rocket's trajectory. This rocket can reach heights of 1,000 feet and can be tracked by an altimeter placed into the clear payload section.
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| | |  These JST quick-disconnect connectors are perfect little connectors for DIY electronic projects like dual deployment set ups. They allow you to quickly remove bulkheads to get at your electronics. Wires are pre-stripped to fit into the terminal blocks of your altimeter.
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| | |  The Enceladus is a high-power capable rocket made from fiberglass tubes. It is a nice model that flies on 38mm diameter motors.
Named after the sixth-largest moon of Saturn, the Enceladus is a kit that will surely take your mind to the outer planets. You might even get some inspiration for the decor you paint on the rocket kit from the moon Enceladus. It is mostly covered by fresh, clean ice, making it one of the most reflective bodies of the Solar System. How reflective do you think you can make your Enceladus rocket kit when you paint it? |
| | |  The Desdemona is a dual-deployment capable rocket that includes both an e-bay and vinyl decals. The rocket has thin-wall fiberglass tubes and could be used for high power certification. Named after the lead character in Shakespeare's play Othello, Desdemona is a beautiful woman from Venice. This rocket certainly is a beauty, and you'll be proud to show her off.
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| | |  The Katana is a high-power capable dual-deployment rocket. The purpose of dual-deployment is to bring the rocket down faster, so it doesn't drift as far. This is a big rocket, with a length of 74.8 inches and a diameter of 4.0 inches, so it will impress you with its size. It is built around a 54mm diameter engine mount, so it can take motors from an "I" to an "L." Is it time for you to step up to something big and colorful?
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“Every experience I have had with Apogee has been exceptional. The service is great, the delivery times are quick and the components affordable. Furthermore, Apogee also has a wide variety of articles and build advice which makes the hobby much more approachable. If I want something, I go to Apogee.” — Tom Nguyen | |
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 I need help with generating the bi-weekly 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. | |
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