For the third time, CIA assisted students in the University of Illinois' Aerospace Engineering 100SD class as they launched their semester project rockets at the CIA's site near Flatville on Saturday, November 3. 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.
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CIA-Rocketry > Loading the first rocket on the pad. Payloads, nose cones and the motor igniter will be installed only after the rocket is upright on the launcher. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Installing an igniter in the first rocket. This is the last step before everyone leaves the launch area. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > The first class rocket, ready for launch. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Liftoff! The first rocket clears the pad with a J350-L motor. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Unlike last year, all the rockets had successful parachute deployments and were recovered with no significant damage. We substituted non-stretchy tubular nylon webbing for the elastic bungee cords used before. Here, the first rocket descends under a fully open, multi-colored 'chute. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > The second team loads their rocket on the pad. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > Beautiful liftoff of the second class rocket. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > About three-quarters of a second after ignition, the rocket is climbing under maximum thrust. Photo by Greg Smith
CIA-Rocketry > All the rockets were recovered successfully, but some of them drifted a little closer than we would have liked to the power lines that cross the field. Photo by Greg Smith
Loading the first rocket on the pad. Payloads, nose cones and the motor igniter will be installed only after the rocket is upright on the launcher. Photo by Greg Smith
> Loading the first rocket on the pad. Payloads, nose cones and the motor igniter will be installed only after the rocket is upright on the launcher. Photo by Greg Smith
Loading the first rocket on the pad. Payloads, nose cones and the motor igniter will be installed only after the rocket is upright on the launcher. Photo by Greg Smith
Gallery pages:  <  1  2  3  4  5  6  >  
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