Students in the University of Illinois' Aerospace Engineering 100SD class launched their semester project rockets at the CIA's site near Flatville on Saturday, November 4. All the rockets were modified BSD 38 Special kits powered by Aerotech J350-L motors. The class built the payloads, consisting of an RDAS on-board data recorder and telemetry system with GPS, and either a still or video camera to take pictures during the flights. They will download and analyze the data from these flights to complete their semester projects. CIA assisted in the design and construction of the rockets and payloads, and ran the launch operation.
The class met early at the launch site. The weather was only marginal for flying -- winds were 15 to 20 MPH from the south, and there was solid cloud cover at about 6000' (fortunately, above the maximum altitude of these rockets). The wind chill made it seem very cold and unpleasant throughout the morning. Photo by Greg Smith
The class met early at the launch site. The weather was only marginal for flying -- winds were 15 to 20 MPH from the south, and there was solid cloud cover at about 6000' (fortunately, above the maximum altitude of these rockets). The wind chill made it seem very cold and unpleasant throughout the morning. Photo by Greg Smith
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