Sometime late in 2002 the science teacher at Clardy Elementary School, Mrs Dailey, contacted us regarding launching some rockets in the Spring. At the time, we were a little uncertain of the future of the club, but offered to assist in any way we could anyway. After some exchanging of e-mail over the Winter, we finally were able to come up with a full plan, and round up six volunteers to come to the school during Aerospace Week and assist with a launch.
Tim gives his new assistants some instructions on flipping switches. (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) |
The classes had their rockets made, but no igniter, motor, or wadding, nor more than a vague idea of what to do with those things. So our first order of business was to have the kids pull out the nose cone and unwind the streamer. We would then explain the wadding, and why it was needed, stressing the idea that it must be flameproof. Some assistance with getting that stuffed in was generally needed. After packing the recovery system, we went over how to install the motor so that it was caught securely under the hook and why that was important. Then we covered the igniter, and how to get it installed in such a way as to ensure success. We actually had a some trouble with some of the kids attempting to shove the igniter in too far and bending up the leads. Overall, though, we had very good success with only a relative few misfires — I had in fact anticipated a good deal more. The only other problem we had in this area was with the kids placing the plug on the wrong side causing the igniter to be shorted against the motor hook. Fortunately, sharp-eyed Randall noticed that while checking and corrected it before it was a problem. We watched for that in the following classes and avoided any real problems with it.
After a quick safety check, the students were sent out to the pads in groups of six, and Dave, Bob and Don assisted them with getting the rockets on the rods, and the leads connected without shorting.
Two rockets launch together. (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) |
After the each class was finished flying, Randall would show them some of the things we had brought for display, give a little talk on safety, and answer the numerous questions. He was really quick with the answers and the kids were often hanging on his every word.
The following table shows the order in which the fliers were sent to the pads, not necessarily the order in which they were launched. In the case of an igniter failure, the fliers would get their rocket from the pad, and bring it to the launch table for another igniter. They would then try again as soon as a pad was free. That’s reflected in the table.
Students wait patiently in line with their creations. (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) |
In any case, the weather was perfect, so the rockets (or sometimes the various parts) were practically landing back on the pads. As far as I know, only one nose cone was lost.
So, 76 1/2A3s works out to about 82.84-Newtons, or just barely a G motor equivalent. Thanks to Bob W., Randall J., Don P., Dave B., and Christian B. for their assistance and organization. Im pretty sure that we all had an equally good time and hope the school will invite us back next year.
Mrs. Asher | Randall and Dave answer questions. (Photo by Tim Burger.) | |||
Helper: Kali | ||||
Flight Overall |
Flight Class |
Flier Name | Comments | |
1 | 1 | Felicitie S. | ||
2 | 2 | Stephine W. | ||
3 | 3 | Kaitlyn W. | ||
4 | 4 | Delaney W. | ||
5 | 5 | Kristin R. | ||
6 | 6 | Susan H. | ||
7 | 7 | Colten M. | ||
8 | 8 | Lauren L. | ||
9 | 9 | Melissa J. | Rocket recovery. (Photo by Tim Burger.) | |
10 | 10 | Brittany C. | ||
11 | 11 | Adam C. | ||
12 | 12 | Louden C. | ||
13 | 13 | Chase B. | ||
14 | 14 | Megan A. | ||
Mrs. Elwood | ||||
Helper: Desiree | ||||
Flight Overall |
Flight Class |
Flier Name | Comments | |
15 | 1 | Adrienne | ||
16 | 2 | Maddie | Another class gets some training in safety. (Photo by Tim Burger.) | |
17 | 3 | Steph | ||
18 | 4 | Kari | ||
19 | 5 | Courtney | ||
20 | 6 | Cole | ||
21 | 7 | Drake | ||
22 | 8 | Allie | ||
23 | 9 | Katie C. | ||
24 | 10 | Brittany | ||
25 | 11 | Katie K. | ||
Derek | Misfire | |||
26 | 12 | Scott | Bob and Dave assist students at the pads while rockets from the previous group are recovered in the background. (Photo by Tim Burger.) | |
27 | 13 | Chase | ||
28 | 14 | Jarred | ||
29 | 15 | Derek | Second attempt successful | |
Mrs. Dailey | ||||
Helper: Amanda | ||||
Flight Overall |
Flight Class |
Flier Name | Comments | |
30 | 1 | Sam Y. | ||
Matt G. | Misfire | |||
31 | 2 | Drew B. | ||
32 | 3 | Mark W. | ||
Danny S. | Misfire | |||
33 | 4 | Brooke K. | (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) | |
34 | 5 | Matt G. | Second attempt successful | |
35 | 6 | Danny S. | Second attempt successful | |
36 | 7 | Caitlin S. | ||
37 | 8 | Justin S. | ||
38 | 9 | Zac G. | ||
Jesse H. | Misfire | |||
39 | 10 | Ashley W. | ||
40 | 11 | Erin J. | ||
41 | 12 | Jesse H. | Second attempt successful | (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) |
Mrs. Ruch | ||||
Helpers: Aaron, Zach, Natasha, Tori | ||||
Flight Overall |
Flight Class |
Flier Name | Comments | |
42 | 1 | Clint | ||
43 | 2 | Miles | ||
44 | 3 | McKenzie | ||
Andrew | Misfire | |||
45 | 4 | Asia | ||
46 | 5 | Lindzey | ||
47 | 6 | Brandon | ||
48 | 7 | Rebecca | ||
49 | 8 | Chase | ||
50 | 9 | Morgan | ||
51 | 10 | Grant | ||
52 | 11 | Raven | (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) | |
53 | 12 | Alleyas | ||
54 | 13 | Annie | ||
55 | 14 | Sarina | ||
56 | 15 | Lauren | ||
57 | 16 | Sarah | ||
58 | 17 | Andrew | Successful second attempt | |
Mrs. Richards | ||||
Helpers: Ali & Alyssa | ||||
Flight Overall |
Flight Class |
Flier Name | Comments | |
59 | 1 | Joseph C. | ||
Renee H. | Misfire |
Don assists at the pads. (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) | ||
Francesca C. | Misfire | |||
60 | 2 | Sarah D. | ||
61 | 3 | Ethan D. | ||
62 | 4 | Paul B. | ||
63 | 5 | Glen R. | ||
64 | 6 | Chad H. | ||
65 | 7 | Laura H. | ||
66 | 8 | Blaire W. | ||
67 | 9 | Alyson D. | ||
68 | 10 | Gabriella S. | (Photo by Christian Bruggeman.) | |
69 | 11 | Holley L. | ||
70 | 12 | Jessica M. | ||
Shelbie W. | Misfire | |||
71 | 13 | Anthony R. | ||
William G. | Misfire | |||
72 | 14 | Adam W. | ||
73 | 15 | Renee H. | Successful second attempt | |
74 | 16 | Francesca C. | Successful second attempt | |
75 | 17 | Shelbie W. | Successful second attempt | |
76 | 18 | William G. | Successful second attempt |
Submitted by Tim Burger, 78486L1.
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