| | [Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #574: | |
An alternative title to this issue's article by Dr. Martin Cwiakala and the RocCats could have been: "How to dial-in you TARC rocket using Drag Brakes." Literally, they were turning screws to adjust the distance their drake brakes extended out into the airstream to slow it down. But then they discovered something interesting... Of course, you'll have to read their report to find out the surprise. In this article, you'll also see the trials and tribulations of their rocket to get a workable prototype of their rocket, and what experimentation they to achieve their mission. It is a really great example of the scientific method and what engineering is all about. | | 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. |
| Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! | Customized T-Shirts from Apogee | |
Fans of Apogee Components, we now have customizable T-Shirts available! There are six large logos and 8 small logos to choose from, and you can have two put on the shirt. So there are dozens of possible combinations available. Simple to order, just select your shirt size, and pick any two decals from the available choices. T-shirt color: grey. |
| RockSim v10.4.0 Beta | |
We made several changes to the RockSim software, and are announcing this beta version for all current users to try out. There are a few new features, as well as more than a dozen fixes to issues that users have reported. This will be a free upgrade for all v10 (or version 9) users. But we're calling it a "beta" to indicate we're still open to fixing an new issues you might discover. More information and download links are available here. |
| Aerotech G8ST-P | |
The Aerotech G8 motor, with a 19.8 second burn time, is designed specifically for those advanced rocketeers that want to try gimbled (thrust-vector control) of their rockets. It has such a low thrust that relying on fins to stabilize the rocket is not something that we'd recommend. It also does not have a delay or ejection charge for recovery, so you'll need other electronics onboard to deploy a parachute. Check it out here. |
| Fresh Super Glue | |
We've got what is commonly called 'super-glue', Cynoacrylate, or CA adhesive. It is a fast way to glue parts together. We use it almost everywhere in rocketry. It can bond woods, paper, fiberglass, metals, and some plastics. Produced by Bob Smith Industries, this is guaranteed fresh for 2 years. There are 4 different types available, plus debonder and accelerator. Check all the options out here. |
| Make Carbon Fiber Tubes | |
Here is an extensive and detailed video course on how to make Ultra-Lightweight Carbon-Fiber Rocket Tubes. They're so light, they give you an unfair advantage in competition. These are the ones that my daughters, Allison and Ashley used in Romania last September at the 2021 World SpaceModeling Championships. Allison was part of the senior Silver Medal winning USA team, and Ashley took home the Bronze Medal in the Jr. Division. The girls were taught how to make their own tubes, so if they can do it, so can you. The training course consists of 5 hours and 42 minutes of video instruction, covering everything I know about how to make a successful tube with a glass-finish using a 2-piece mold. It even includes all the secret techniques and materials, and where to buy them, including where to get the 2-part mold. This course is on the Udemy website, not at Apogee Components. |
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Apogee Aspire from a Sod Farm Just playing around today with the high-flying Apogee Aspire kit. This kit on an F10 motor can coast over a mile high. This time, we're simulating it from the middle of a sod farm in South Carolina. Will it land in on the field? Check it out now. | |
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“I can’t say enough about this company. Excellent service. Fast, correct, and IF there’s a problem they go out of their way to make it right. They have all kinds of FREE INFORMATION at your disposal, which I highly recommend watching. You are never too old to learn. With Apogee you can make a better rocket than you can buy in a kit. Upgrades like plywood centering rings for motor mounts. Super duty parachutes that look really good coming down after a launch. I love their slotted tubes. This company, I actually believe cares, and that’s something that’s hard to find now days. If you would like to build one to your own liking, this is the place to get any component you need build it.” -- Tim Underwood | |
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We're looking for someone to write a definitive guide to selecting igniters, controllers and batteries for rockets. We'd love to have a newsletter article on that topic, because we get lots of inquiries about it. Is that you? Do you know how many e-matches can be set off in a cluster by a 3.7v 400 mAh battery? See our Newsletter Guidelines on how to submit an article on this topic and get paid up to $350 for your time.
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| 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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