MODEL ROCKETRY LAB
By: Jake Williams
Rocket Name: EPM-010
Newton's Third Law and how it relates to Model Rocketry
-The clear understanding of Newton's Third Law states that a force can be either a push or pulling action upon an object with the same in return. Basically, for every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action. No matter how hard an object may act on another, it will always push back with an equal force. So as a the rockets engine pushes downward towards the ground, the reaction is the rocket pushing upward with the same force it used to push towards the ground, causing the rocket to fly.
-The clear understanding of Newton's Third Law states that a force can be either a push or pulling action upon an object with the same in return. Basically, for every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action. No matter how hard an object may act on another, it will always push back with an equal force. So as a the rockets engine pushes downward towards the ground, the reaction is the rocket pushing upward with the same force it used to push towards the ground, causing the rocket to fly.
Engine Types and Specifications
-There are many different types of engines to use for projects like these, however, we only narrowed our choice of engines down to A, B, C, D, and possibly E.
-There are many different types of engines to use for projects like these, however, we only narrowed our choice of engines down to A, B, C, D, and possibly E.
-It is clear to see that as you increase in letter size, the power of the rocket increases as well. Lets take my engine for example. C6-8. The C represents the impulse in N. The 6 represents the average force it produces and the 8 represents how long it is delayed. Choosing the appropriate engine is a vital key into making your rocket a success, so it is very important know about your rocket and the preferable engine. Listed below is an impulse curve of a C6 engine.
-This basic impulse curve of a C6 engine represents a simulation of a rocket taking off to the very ending when it landed. The top point of the curve represents how high the rocket was exerted with Newtons. The average force is the straight line stretching around 4 or 5 Newtons that represents the rocket sailing down from the sky at a constant speed. The impulse is all the points or area beneath the average force.
Wrong Engine Scenario
-Although the D12-0 was the correct engine for this rocket, however, the problem doesn't necessarily ly within the impulse of the rocket, but the delayed time of the engine. Since there is no delay time on engine, the Eggscalibur rocket will deploy the parachute at a much higher force than if the delay time was just 6. The Eggscalibur is designed to fly the rocket with an egg in it but the other goal is to fly it without making the egg break as well. With just a little bit of delay time, the egg would have a higher chance of not breaking compared with no delay time at all. The smallest detail of an engine can determine if it is unstable or incorrect for the rocket you are using.
-According to the Estes rocket website, the correct engine to use for my rocket, EPM-010, are B4-4 or B4-6 for the first flight and then the C6-3 or C6-6. The main difference between the B4-4 and C6-6 is difference in impulse and delayed times. I decided to test my first flight with the C6-6 just because I simply thought that the B engines seemed small for the EPM-010 potential.
-Although the D12-0 was the correct engine for this rocket, however, the problem doesn't necessarily ly within the impulse of the rocket, but the delayed time of the engine. Since there is no delay time on engine, the Eggscalibur rocket will deploy the parachute at a much higher force than if the delay time was just 6. The Eggscalibur is designed to fly the rocket with an egg in it but the other goal is to fly it without making the egg break as well. With just a little bit of delay time, the egg would have a higher chance of not breaking compared with no delay time at all. The smallest detail of an engine can determine if it is unstable or incorrect for the rocket you are using.
-According to the Estes rocket website, the correct engine to use for my rocket, EPM-010, are B4-4 or B4-6 for the first flight and then the C6-3 or C6-6. The main difference between the B4-4 and C6-6 is difference in impulse and delayed times. I decided to test my first flight with the C6-6 just because I simply thought that the B engines seemed small for the EPM-010 potential.
Flight Field
This is a satellite picture of about 725 meters off of the ground.
Altitude
This is an altitude tracker. This device was used to determine the maximum height of the rocket using the angle on the device leading to how many meters that angle would equal. After the measurement was determined, we derived that measurement to feet. The correct length a tracker should stand from the launch pad is 750 feet. They stand opposite of the launch pad so that way they are measuring against the rockets direction of travel. This provides a more accurate measurement of height.
Safety
The NAR Code
1. MATERIALS: I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.
2. MOTORS: I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.
3 IGNITION SYSTEM: I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when released.
4. MISFIRES: If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the rocket.
5. LAUNCH SAFETY: I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance. When conducting a simultaneous launch of more than ten rockets I will observe a safe distance of 1.5 times the maximum expected altitude of any launched rocket.
6. LAUNCHER: I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.
7. SIZE: My model rocket will not weigh more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse.
8. FLIGHT SAFETY: I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.
9. LAUNCH SITE: I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
10: RECOVERY SYSTEM: I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.
11. RECOVERY SAFETY: I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.
2. MOTORS: I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.
3 IGNITION SYSTEM: I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when released.
4. MISFIRES: If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the rocket.
5. LAUNCH SAFETY: I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance. When conducting a simultaneous launch of more than ten rockets I will observe a safe distance of 1.5 times the maximum expected altitude of any launched rocket.
6. LAUNCHER: I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.
7. SIZE: My model rocket will not weigh more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse.
8. FLIGHT SAFETY: I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.
9. LAUNCH SITE: I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
10: RECOVERY SYSTEM: I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.
11. RECOVERY SAFETY: I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.
RockSim File
The margin was determined to be 5.65 Overstable. However, no predicted times were produced. The RockSim file was incapable of predicting times and altitude.
Resources
http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocksim/Rocksim_Trial
http://tyneshaschaeffer.weebly.com/model-rocket.html