The launch event at the MTA on November 12th was a success. The STEAM students from the Rise Academy in Compton launched four RRS standard 1-inch alpha designs. All were successful and seemed to fly straight.
Rise Academy, Compton, CA – via Facebook
four Compton alphas with Larry’s beta
Larry built the larger 2-inch RRS beta with a simple wooden egg as a nose come mounted to the welded bulkhead.
wooden egg as nose cone on beta
Compton alphas on the MTA table ready for launch
The fifth alpha was a design Osvaldo and I put together with the smoke grenade in the payload section as a tracer. The fifth alpha also had a key fob camera module mounted to the midpoint of one of the fins and a ceramic coated nozzle which was very successful. The camera was recovered intact and the ceramic nozzle seemed to work perfectly with no erosion seen in the throat.
the fifth alpha with camera, smoke tracer and ceramic lined nozzle
Dave Crisalli was our pyro-op and gave a great safety briefing before we got started. Osvaldo and Dave demonstrated the combustion of the micrograin and composite propellants common to amateur solid rockets.
Dave Crisalli gives MTA safety briefing before launch
micrograin combustion demonstration at MTA
Composite propellant sample burn at MTA
The important part was the preparations necessary include checking the range before committing to launch. We had almost still winds all afternoon and high clouds overhead with temperatures being nearly ideal, but we always look and listen before we commit to launch.
Loading Larry’s beta in the rails
Larry on range watch before launch
arming the alpha for firing
Richard Garcia stands next to Larry’s Beta (for scale)
Launch was exciting and went smoothly. Everyone did as they should, by counting down then listening for the flight time and the soft “thump” of impact.
Compton in the bunker(2)
Snapshot – Compton alpha4
Larry’s Beta rocket launch
After the launch, the Rise Academy students were a big help in finding their rockets. After listening after each launch for the direction of the thump sound, we had a starting point and direction to start walking. With all the help we had, all five of the alphas were spotted including Osvaldo’s and mine! However, Larry’s beta hasn’t been found yet due to its larger size likely going further downrange. Three of the alphas were extracted from the earth thanks to the hard work and shovels. A great job as most rockets aren’t found so quickly.
Compton alpha found downrange from MTA
Compton alpha extracted by shovels
Compton alpha going home
key fob camera survives an alpha flight
Compton alphas going home
Many thanks to all that came out to the MTA. Thanks to John Mariano for leading this event. We hope to see everyone come back for another launch day in the Mojave with the RRS.