Punching Through the Clouds (Photo Sequence)

8 responses to “Punching Through the Clouds (Photo Sequence)”

1. 

   jurvetson

   Sep 24, 2011 at 5:05 pm

   Building the AMW N2801 motor. The six propellant grains have a decreasing inner core diameter as you go up from the graphite nozzle:
   

   Avionics Bay (the one on left)
   
   Because carbon-fiber tubing is radio-opaque, I added a separate clear fiberglass bay at the top for the Balloon Boy GPS transmitter and backup RF tracking beacon. This extended the airframe to 10.5 feet tall.

   Pad team just before launch
   

   A happy recovery and landing divot
   

   And the following series of photos are by Donna, capturing the six hour build process:

   In the shade of Burro Camp
   

   Checking alignment on the Rousetech CO2 system for airframe separation at apogee
   

   Securing the igniter assembly which runs along wood dowels to the top of the motor.
   

   Sliding onto the 1"-wide rail. I have metal rail guides from GLR for a precise fit.
   
   I always bring tape with me to the pad, and the shirt is a reminder that "Real Men Use Duct Tape" =)

   Lifting the rail
   

   Arming the two flight computers (G-Wiz HCX and LCX) by exposed screw-switches. Then I listen for the beeping patterns to make sure I still have electrical connectivity on the pyro charges for the two computer-controlled parachute events.
   

   Then Launch!! (More launch photos here)

   I look up in awe
   

   With the GPS coordinates broadcast to us, it was an easy drive 2.66 miles out in the desert to the last recorded point, and there she was:
   

   Retrieving the transmitters from the upper bay (in green bubble wrap for vibration isolation):
   

   And heh, we won an award for the N-size motor class (the largest motor that flew at XPRS, and 2x the maximum legal size you can fly in California)
   

   Reply
2. 

   S.J.I.

   Sep 24, 2011 at 6:28 pm

   Great capture! What colors!

   Reply
3. 

   solerena

   Sep 24, 2011 at 10:03 pm

   congrats and cute pictures… ha, teeth come handy too:D

   Reply
4. 

   Astrocatou

   Sep 24, 2011 at 10:51 pm

   Great series.
   Is this the same flight (14,00 ft) whose data was posted last week..?
   Or what are the details ?

   Reply
5. 

   Aris Jansons

   Sep 25, 2011 at 5:10 pm

   Good hobby. Regret Baltic States have no deserts to practice it.

   Reply
6. 

   jurvetson

   Sep 25, 2011 at 7:03 pm

   [http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveh56] – different flight. This one went to Mach 1.6 and 22K ft. Will try to post info later today (then gotta meet Obama this evening =)

   Reply
7. 

   DonB360Photography

   Oct 22, 2011 at 12:07 am

   Seen and enjoyed in the group

   http://www.flickr.com/groups/firesfiresfires/

   Reply
8. 

   以映

   Sep 23, 2012 at 7:58 am

   
   

   Reply