STRIPE Meeting Minutes
24 October 2007
Next Launch: Springtime. Details later.
Flight Briefing
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We reviewed some of the videos and photos of the October 21 launch.
The flight was a qualified success; We achieved an altitude around 8000 feet and a velocity of 0.7 mach.
We had some trouble with the launch.
The first igniter failed to launch the rocket. A second igniter had to be placed.
One of the recovery cables "Zippered" the 18-inch tube. The main parachute opened early due to slippage. Consequently, there was plenty of time for the cords to tangle, which resulted in the fin can impacting the camera tube along the upper corner of the camera window, shattering the window and damaging the tube.
The camera was undamaged, but did not collect useful footage. We believe that the record button was pressed twice, causing it to stop after 10 seconds of video.
Things to look into
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We want to drill holes in the parachute chambers for pressure equalization.
We will have to make sure that the parachute chamber tubes fir tightly enough, mainly on the couplers.
We will want to review the amount of black powder we use in the rocket launch. Two balloons were used on the 21st, for a total of 10g of powder instead of 5g. This may have contributed to the zippering of the 18-inch tube.
We will want to verify the camera ON indicators.
We will want to review the igniter loading process, including the distance to the top, and using a stick to load it.
We will have to do some testing on some igniters. We'd like to get a sparkler-type thing that shoots lots of sparks.
We will have to make sure the fin can lands first, by lengthening/switching the drogue lines.
We will have to find a way to reduce zippering. John Nordlie proposed a centering ring. Numbering the shock cords should also help.
William will do some research into the igniter compositions and fabrication.
William also suggested using an altitude chamber to calibrate the altimeters. Tim has one that we can use; there is also one at the aerospace complex.
William suggested a flight manual/checklist. Tim says there should be enough people there to coordinate and supervise the specific tasks. This will help spread responsibility.
