National Sport Launch, 2015 Report

This article is a little different than most as I decided to post about a hobby that I have been involved with for some time, high power rocketry. What follows are some pictures and a report of a recent rocketry launch that Rhonda and I attended in South Carolina. 

Launch Report

National Sport Launch, Orangeburg, South Carolina, May 23-25, 2015

Field Conditions: A sod farm, for the most part dry with just a few wet areas and water in ditches.

Weather Conditions: Sunny, partly cloudy, low humidity, fairly windy at times on Saturday, less so          on Monday.

Launches:

1. Deep Space Probe (Not pictured) on an H128W-Med. Delay.

A great flight, straight-up and fast boost, chute deployed at apogee. Unfortunately, the rocket lived up to its name and went into deep space because we never found it although we searched for a couple of hours. Rocket drifted down the field east of the pads.

2. Intruder (Public Missiles, the green rocket) on an I235G-Med. Delay.

A nice fast flight, deployed the 36” chute at apogee. Recovered in the sod grass east of pads.

3. Moonraker (Silver rocket) on an H123W-Med. Delay.

First time using the RMS system where you adjust the delay yourself. A great boost and flight, deployed perfectly on a 27” chute. Recovered with no problems.

4. X-Calibur (Yellow rocket) on an H180-Med. Delay.

A great motor combination for this rocket. Went out-of-sight into the clouds and didn’t see it deploy the chute. Rhonda spotted it down range west of the pads. Used an Aerotech 18” chute which brought it down too hot. There was no damage to the rocket but my threaded screws (retainer) were bent some.

5. Red Barchetta (Italian for 2 seat sports car and a song by Rush, large red rocket) on a       J350W-Med. Delay.

Another RMS motor where you adjust the delay yourself. A great boost and deployed perfectly in two pieces, the nose cone on a 30” chute and the rocket on a 36” chute. Rocket came in a little fast but no damage. Both recovered in sod field northeast of pads. This is the rocket in the launch picture above.  

6. Halo Effect (tall rocket white with red payload) on an I161W-Med. Delay.

Nice boost, straight up flight and recovered in the sod field near the “Away” pad. My last rocket of the day.

Summary:

3 – H Motors

2 – I Motors

1 – J Motor