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.
Gallery pages:  <  1  2  3  4  >  
< 10 of 32 >
CIA-Rocketry > After hooking up the igniter in the first rocket, Mark Joseph returns to the control area for the launch. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Liftoff of the first rocket with a J350-L motor. Note the debris thrown up from the ground. The village of Flatville is visible in the distance. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Loading the second rocket on the pad. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Mark installs the igniter in the second rocket. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Loading the RDAS and GPS payload before fastening on the nose cone. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Mark hooks up the igniter leads, the last step before leaving the launch pad. Unfortunately, there was no usable liftoff photo of this rocket. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Two of the rockets suffered shock cord separations that allowed the payload sections to free-fall to the ground. Fortunately, neither was severely damaged. This shows the second rocket during recovery, with its parachute open, but the payload has detached. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Because of the high wind, the rockets drifted a good distance, over a mile in a couple of cases. Some of the students spent most of their morning walking through the farm fields surrounding the launch area, searching for their models. In the end, all of the rockets, payloads, motors and students were recovered. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Liftoff of the third rocket. All the rockets flew very straight, especially considering the wind, and reached altitudes around 4000'. Photo by Greg Smith
After hooking up the igniter in the first rocket, Mark Joseph returns to the control area for the launch. Photo by Greg Smith
> After hooking up the igniter in the first rocket, Mark Joseph returns to the control area for the launch. Photo by Greg Smith
After hooking up the igniter in the first rocket, Mark Joseph returns to the control area for the launch. Photo by Greg Smith
Gallery pages:  <  1  2  3  4  >  
< 10 of 32 >

Comments

|

New comment:

Name: Email: Link:


To foil spammers, enter this code: copy this text in this box: Code unreadable?

Add Comment Cancel