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Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
@Flashorn

Here's a video of a launch and recovery. This rocket is fairly heavy so it has two parachutes.
No shock cord. The top and the bottom come down separately... each with it's own chute...

Expand to full screen to watch...

Thank you for the video, it was helpful.
Now, could you recommend a kit? I think my grandson could like to tinker with this with adult supervision of course.
It seems simple enough and a good way to pass a sunny afternoon.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
Thank you for the video, it was helpful.
Now, could you recommend a kit? I think my grandson could like to tinker with this with adult supervision of course.
It seems simple enough and a good way to pass a sunny afternoon.

How old is the grandson?
And do you and him want to build it, or just fly it?

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

johnlgalt said:
This arrived Thursday, much to my delight, as I was not expecting it until next week. Time to start installing:

View attachment 95337 View attachment 95338 View attachment 95339

If you had another post , I didn't see it but, is this for a new build or are you simply replacing an existing one.
Looks like the latest version of Killer.

Winuser said:
We have had a few very warm days here in N.J. so I got thinking about summer. We don't have and use ice trays for making ice. I finally decide to buy a small icemaker. The ones at Walmart that I was looking at were over $100.00 I found one on Amazon yesterday for $79.96. I ordered it and it came today. I'm letting it sit for an hour to let the refrigerant settle. Then I'll run a cleaning cycle and when it finishes I try making some ice. Amazon.com

What a neat idea. Never saw one before and find it interesting.

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
How old is the grandson?

9 years old.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
9 years old.

They have kits that you need to build, and "ready to fly" that you don't need to build.
They also have water rockets. You just fill with water, pump them up, and launch them.

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
They have kits that you need to build, and "ready to fly" that you don't need to build.
They also have water rockets. You just fill with water, pump them up, and launch them.

OK, where would one find such a kit?
And, do we have to buy other material(s) to compliment the kit?

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
They have kits that you need to build

Yeah, the ones we build. It would be more interesting and help him learn how
to do it.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
OK, where would one find such a kit?
And, do we have to buy other material(s) to compliment the kit?

Here's some starter sets. They come with everything you need, except glue, paint, and sandpaper.
If it says "ready to fly", then you don't have to build it.

Starter Sets - Estes Rockets

estesrockets.com

The only slightly hard part is getting the fins on straight.
But they sell little thingies to help with that. "Fin alignment guides".

All rockets come with complete instructions.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Maybe this... it's already built.

IF the grandson like the idea, then start him on some skill level one rockets.
The control unit, and the launch pad can be reused for other rockets too.

Saturn V Model - Estes Rockets

Get ready for a fantastic adventure with Saturn V model rocket! This 1:200 scale model is almost 2 feet tall and pefect for display or launching.

estesrockets.com

If the grandson is good with his hands... start him on skill level one rockets.

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
Here's some starter sets. They come with everything you need, except glue, paint, and sandpaper.
If it says "ready to fly", then you don't have to build it.

Starter Sets - Estes Rockets

estesrockets.com

The only slightly hard part is getting the fins on straight.
But they sell little thingies to help with that. "Fin alignment guides".

All rockets come with complete instructions.

Thank you @Ghot !
Bookmarked the link and will investigate further. I have to say, I'm also interested and it would make for
fantastic photos. Summer is almost here and they just bought a 1 acre lot for their new house so, a good place to start.
Yes, it's not in the city. Out in the boondocks.
Thanks again.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
Thank you @Ghot !
Bookmarked the link and will investigate further. I have to say, I'm also interested and it would make for
fantastic photos. Summer is almost here and they just bought a 1 acre lot for their new house so, a good place to start.
Yes, it's not in the city. Out in the boondocks.
Thanks again.

Here's one that will take audio and video, for you.

Astrocam Starter Set - Estes Rockets

Estes 5325 Astrocam Rocket Starter Set includes everything needed to capture life-like HD audio and video from a rocket in flight!

estesrockets.com

If you decide to get into it... I would think starting with skill level 3 would be OK.
Also... you don't need any certifications for "mid power" rockets and below.

This is the most informative site...

Model Rockets & How-To Rocketry Information

Model rocket kits, rocket engines, launch equipment, payloads, and construction supplies. Plus educational resources and expert information on model rockets.

www.apogeerockets.com

This has pretty much the same stuff (everything), but is cheaper and cheaper shipping...

eRockets The World's Largest Selection of Flying Model Rocket Kits

eRockets has the World's largest selection of Flying Model Rocket Kits, and we are the proud manufacturers of the Semroc line of kits.

www.erockets.biz

And the site I linked up above... ESTES... started all this, back in the 70's

Estes Rockets

Estes Rockets is the world leader in model rocketry. We offer a variety of amazing rockets for first time fliers and experienced rocketeers! For over 65 years, Estes has been the driving force behind over 5 million successful launches. Join in the fun and launch your first rocket!

estesrockets.com

And this Technical Manual... explains the general basics.

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
If the grandson is good with his hands... start him on skill level one rockets.

His father is a renovation contractor and brings him on simple jobs once in a while
so, being good with his hands will come natural. I'll see if this peaks Felix' interest
and go from there. I'm pretty sure he will be intrigued.
Have bookmarked all of the above and will talk to Francois (son in law) about it.
Thanks for your input. I really liked the video where he takes you along for the ride.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Tip: Launch them slightly "into the wind", so hopefully they'll land near where you launch from.

And if you ever build two or three stages ones... prepare to have to chase after them.

And here... in case you really get into it... National Association of Rocketry...

https://nar.org/

This is where you get the certifications if you get into high power rocketry.
The also make the rules about model rocketry.

Most instructions that come with the rockets, have the important rules at the bottom of the PDF or booklet.

And if you want to REALLY get into it.... here's one of the larger high power rockets, that will need a high level of certification...

8" Fiberglass AGM-33 Pike ™

8" Fiberglass AGM-33 Pike

www.madcowrocketry.com

142" tall... LOL

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
Tip: Launch them slightly "into the wind", so hopefully they'll land near where you launch from.

And if you ever build two or three stages ones... prepare to have to chase after them.

And here... in case you really get into it... National Association of Rocketry...

https://nar.org/

This is where you get the certifications if you get into high power rocketry.
The also make the rules about model rocketry.

Most instructions that come with the rockets, have the important rules at the bottom of the PDF or booklet.

And if you want to REALLY get into it.... here's one of the larger high power rockets, that will need a high level of certification...

8" Fiberglass AGM-33 Pike ™

8" Fiberglass AGM-33 Pike

www.madcowrocketry.com

142" tall... LOL

View attachment 95456

And that's legal?
No wonder pilots keep seeing / reporting UFOs all the time.
Where in the world could you launch something this size?
Remember, this is Canada and not Nevada. We don't have
deserts around here.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
And that's legal?
No wonder pilots keep seeing / reporting UFOs all the time.
Where in the world could you launch something this size?
Remember, this is Canada and not Nevada. We don't have
deserts around here.

The certifications are L1 thru L5 I believe.
You have to go to special NAR launches, to get certified.

You need to prove, you know what you're doing by launching a rocket for them.
Different class rockets for different level certifications.

But if you stay mid power or lower... you don't have to worry about any of that.

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
The certifications are L1 thru L5 I believe.
You have to go to special NAR launches, to get certified.

You need to prove, you know what you're doing by launching a rocket for them.
Different class rockets for different level certifications.

But if you stay mid power or lower... you don't have to worry about any of that.

Thanks. Will see if Felix is interested first then, we can talk about going to the moon

Have you ever witnessed such a launch? Must be pretty damn scary and /or exciting
to see your baby fly.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
Thanks. Will see if Felix is interested first then, we can talk about going to the moon
Have you ever witnessed such a launch? Must be pretty damn scary and /or exciting
to see your baby fly.

No. But go on Youtube and search for model rocket launches.

I think the one that went the highest, was 388,000 feet up. 77 miles I think.
Outer space is considered 62 miles up.

I also saw (on youtube), a Saturn V model that was approx. 25-30 ft tall, or even bigger.
It was hard to tell in the video.
That was a video of a launch as well, but it didn't go very high.

Anyway, it's 3am here, I'm goin' to sleep.

Flashorn · May 6, 2024

Ghot said:
I think the one that went the highest, was 388,000 feet up. 77 miles I think.
Outer space is considered 62 miles up.

If this the right height , it means that they would've lost the rocket to space as
there is no way that rocket could come back down plus if it did, it would've
burned on re-entry. I'll give it a look and see.
See what you've done here! Making me spend all kinds of money on a new hobby.

Ghot · May 6, 2024

Flashorn said:
If this the right height , it means that they would've lost the rocket to space as
there is no way that rocket could come back down plus if it did, it would've
burned on re-entry.

Close but no cigar.

1. A rocket would need to get a LOT further away from Earth, and be moving much faster... to be: "lost to space".

For example, at the Earth's surface, the surface gravity is about 9.8 m/s2 (9.8 N/kg, 32 ft/s2), and the escape speed for a small object is about 11.186 km/s (40,270 km/h; 25,020 mph; 36,700 ft/s)

2. No it wouldn't: "burn up", they come down by parachutes.

When NASA talks about re-entry heat, etc... they are referring to things like space junk, which doesn't have parachute(s), or things like the space shuttle, which is moving much, much faster before it hits the atmosphere.

At an altitude of 124 miles (200 kilometers), the required orbital velocity is a little more than 17,000 mph

These model rockets are moving at just over zero mph, when they start to return to Earth.
Also, the high power rockets that can go that high, are not made of paper, balsa, and plastic like the much smaller, mid and low power model rockets are.

The high power rockets that can get "miles" up, are made of things like fiberglass, carbon fiber or metal. And are built much stronger.

For example, to keep the fins attached to a rocket during launch and flight...

Low power: wood glue is used.
Mid power: epoxy is used, and the fins are attached to the body tubes, into... slots in the body tubes.
High power: minimum would be fiberglass wrapping the body tube and fins, or metal and welds, for the bigger ones.

Here's one of the larger high power model rockets. It weighs 1600 lbs, and looks to be about 40 feet tall...

And here's the "first" model rocket built, that reached space. It looks like metal wrapped in carbon fiber sheets...

Here's one that went 73 miles up...

More...

johnlgalt · May 7, 2024

Flashorn said:
If you had another post , I didn't see it but, is this for a new build or are you simply replacing an existing one.

Replacing existing - the BT part of the existing Killer AX1650x is slowly dying. It typically lasts about a week or so before abruptly not working and I have to perform a reset by powering it all off and letting it sit for 10 minutes with the PC unplugged.