Introducing Aurora X5

Oct07
by cgould on October 7, 2010 at 3:59 AM
Posted In: XR5 (Aurora) Medium Power Booster

(October 6, 2010 Cuyahoga Falls, OH)

We have unveiled the first in the next generation medium power booster for lifting payloads in the air.  It is the Aurora.  The rocket designation is X5 (Experimental Rocket design #5).

The rocket is nearing completion for its maiden voyage tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 9th at the Harmon Flying Field.  This booster is scheduled to make several high altitude flight w/ dual deployment attempts later this winter.  The initial flights will all be under 1500 feet, with the maiden voyage set to go about 900 feet.

The Aurora will be given the name “Omnia”, a name transferred from the experimental Perseus X4 booster, which made two flights to test a potential dual deployment electronics bay design before being retired.

We will keep you posted on how things go!

((( )))

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Re-shuffle of schedules for Sept. 11 launches

Sep07
by cgould on September 7, 2010 at 2:09 AM
Posted In: Uncategorized

(Monday, Sept. 6, 2010 – Cuyahoga Falls)

The upcoming Sept. 11 launches have been re-shuffled.  Perseus Booster “Columbia” will return to the launch pad to test out its new motor mount system, and altimeter systems.

Perseus Booster "Columbia" on the launch pad (without its payload bay).

The August 28th. high power launch caused some slight damage to Columbia’s airframe, and repairs were just completed today, along with a new motor mount system to replaced the one damaged by the same high power flight test.

Many of the changes to the Perseus Booster “Columbia” will be incorporated in the next few Perseus boosters slated to be built sometime this fall.

Meanwhile, Perseus booster “Eagle” is being retrofitted to fly a boilerplate avionics bay.  This will test the flight handling characteristics of the booster with the weight and mass of the proposed electronics bay that will be used for high altitude flights that will employ a dual deployment recovery system.

Work is happening quickly as this flight mission is also scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11th.

We will update all activities for the patriot Day launches by mid week.

In the meantime, the countdown has been started!

(((  )))

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Perseus Columbia payload bay tests are successful

Sep01
by cgould on September 1, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Posted In: XR4 (Perseus) Medium Power Booster project

(Harmon Flying Field -Aurora, OH-, August 28, 2010)

Perseus Booster “Columbia” made a series of four flights testing both a new payload section which housed our first experimental Altimeter.  The Altimeter worked, but the integrity of the data recovered is in question.  We’re looking into the issues.  The payload bay did its job, and performed well.  Columbia also flew its highest powered flight yet on an Aerotech E-15 motor.

The impressive flight highlighted a stress limitation with the  strength of the Airframe design of the Perseus booster.  That was the down side, but from that flight we were able to find the causes, and now have data that will allow us to pick higher power moders for future high power / high altitude flights with thrust curve characteristics that will not over stress thew airframes.

Perseus Booster "Columbia" taking to the skies on an Aerotech E-15.

No permanent damage was caused to Columbia, and in fact, we flew three more flights without doing any repairs or maintenance on the booster.

Our post-flight analasis of the launch shows the moment of maximum stress on the airframe. Note how the flame points in one direction, and the rocket the other. Columbia's airframe was also bending at the center of maximum dynamic pressure, just above the fins.

The next scheduled Perseus Booster launch is September 11, where Perseus Booster “Eagle” will test hardware for utilizing a dual deployment recovery system, which will allow us to break the 2,000 foot ceiling we are currently limited to.

More as we get closer!

(((  )))

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Weather outlook for August 28 launches…Latest updates…

Aug27
by cgould on August 27, 2010 at 2:43 AM
Posted In: Uncategorized

(August 26, 2010 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH)

The weather in a nutshell? Fabulous!

We’re looking at 82 degrees, winds at 5 MPH.   Great day to test out some new rocket hardware!

Rocket Updates

Perseus “Columbia” has been prepped with its recovery harnesses, and has been outfitted with its payload bay, and altimeter system.

Artemis “Philadelphia” has also been prepped with its recovery harness as well.

Parachutes for all rockets have been checked and given the OK.

Tomorrow, the re-loadable solid propellant motor will be prepared for use in one of Columbia’s flights.  The “D-15 White lightning”  propellant will be used for this particular test flight.   The Columbia will otherwise be flying on the E9 solid propellant motor for the other series of tests.

The countdown continues for Saturday’s missions – at T-1 day, 12 hours, 2 minutes.

((( )))

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-22

Aug22
by admin on August 22, 2010 at 1:45 AM
Posted In: Twitter_log

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