Rocket Science

Session Descriptions

Materials in Sport Rocketry - In a community project originally discussed on Rocketry Planet, Doc Damerau has decided to see now much information you can get from the flight of a model rocket. This rocket has been heavily instrumented and outfitted with a high speed data acquisition system. Doc will discuss the genesis of the  Data Rocket project, the challenges to building it, and what he hopes to achieve. Further discussion continues with RocketMaterials.org. At this community site, rocketeers can submit ideas for materials tests. The materials are then tested in an engineering materials laboratory in compliance with real world testing standards. The data is then formatted and made available for the community to use in rocket design. Drake (Doc) Damerau is a Level 3 certified high power flyer and member of the Level 3 Certification Committee. .

Principles of Hybrid Propulsion - An alternative to the usual black powder and ammonium perchlorate composite propellant motors. Hybrid motors offer new challenges to the flier who wants to explore something different.  Historically, hybrid propulsion has been used in high power motors; however the model rocket flier should consider that the premiere hybrid manufacturers now make motors in the G impulse range. Kevin O'Classen is a Level 3 certified high power flier and one of the north east's most knowledgeable hybrid fliers.

Introduction to Deployment Altimeter Design - The basic theory of operation of modern rocketry deployment altimeters will be presented.  The selection of sensors, microcontrollers, output devices and software will be explained as well as how to achieve reliability and avoiding common mistakes.  We will also talk about what future opportunities exists in the design of altimeters as technology progresses. Finally  DIY techniques for altimeters for those who may be interested in making their own will be covered. As a result of this presentation the audience will gain a better appreciation of the operation of an altimeter and be able to get the most of integrating electronic deployment in their flights. John Dermiggio is a Level 2 high power flyer with the Monroe Astronautical Rocket Society  (MARS).

First Amateur Rocket to Space -  It's no longer a dream of high-power enthusiasts.  It can be done - and has been done!  In this very special session, we're pleased to have some of the leaders of CSXT (the Civilian Space eXploration Team) -- the team that flew the first amateur rocket into space on May 17, 2004.  Their vehicle flew 72 miles -- with full recovery!  In this free-flowing Q&A session, learn first-hand about the various aspects and technologies on the flight -- including their team's behemoth home-brew S-50,150 rocket motor, structural design and considerations, on-board sensors (accelerometers, magnetometers), cameras, timers, trackers, transmitters, ground telemetry receiving stations, vehicle recovery systems (including the world's first-ever deployment of a parachute in space), and more.  The presenters are the avionics team of CSXT: Eric Knight, Chet Bacon, Rod Lane, Don Skinner

Sugar Shot to Space. - An international effort lead by Richard Nakka and supported by team members from more the 22 countries, the ultimate goal of the Sugar Shot to Space program is to loft a rocket powered by "sugar propellant" into space, officially defined as 100 km (62 miles) above the earth's surface. .The fundamental difference of the Sugar Shot to Space project is to achieve the goal using an honest-to-goodness amateur propellant, rather than the ubiquitous ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) that the GoFast and nearly all professional and military rockets use. "Sugar propellant", undoubtedly the most popular propellant used by amateur rocketry experimentalists worldwide due to its inherent simplicity and safety, is not a high performance propellant. Therein lies much of the challenge of this project. The SS2S program will reveal itself via a series of motor development projects and three primary rocket vehicle projects with the last being the vehicle by which SS2S reaches space. The proposed primary vehicles and motors are illustrated below with an appropriate scale. Robert Krech, Senior advisor to the Central Massachusetts Space modeling Society will present an overview

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