Just after ignition, DARE's Stratos sustainer motor is blowing away much sand. The darker "smoke" is actually sand.
ASK 't Harde, 23 October, 2008 - The late summer launch this year was moved back to late October on request of the NERO, as we had to launch together this year (see NLD27). Unfortunately after the crash of their H12 rocket the NERO had no interest in a second launch day. Looking back, the launch days were amongst the best days of October this year. Loading the van started early Wednesday 22 October at our club house in Alblasserdam and soon we were on our way. When we arrived on the launch site the launch towers were unloaded and setup first, also the NAVRO motor test stand was erected. Meanwhile DARE had arrived and they started to unload their huge motor test stand. But before it could be raised, a huge hole had to be dug. Fortunately an army wheeled loading shovel helped them out. Soon the preparation and certification of the rockets started. All went well, apart from a missing piece from the casing of Harry Advokaat's motor. Which he went to get and we saw him again a few hours later, just before dinner, in the hotel. Again it was another hotel: "Golden Tulip de Beyaerd" near Hulshorst. Although only a bit more expensive, it was far more comfortable and better. After a simple dinner, we had a great evening in the bar.
Thursday after breakfast in the hotel we went to the launch site and started the final preparations to the rockets. The weather was fine and there was almost no wind. Harry Advokaat and Pleun Punt finished the last preparations of their rockets and motors. Before the launches the public was invited to see the launch area and the rockets, which were displayed near the launch towers. The first launch window started with DARE'S CanSat Launcher v5 and René Hofsteden's AMRAAM 3. The CanSats themselves were those of the runner-ups from those dropped from the crane at CanSat Launch 08. The final preparation was done following a thorough checklist. The rocket flew very well on its DX1-EE motor and it was recovered intact, as were both CanSats. René Hofsteden's AMRAAM 3 again flew very well, this time using an AeroTech I211W. It's deployment went fine, but when it landed it broke a fin again. Next were Pleun Punt's shortened D-Region Tomahawk and Harry Advokaat's Nut. First was the Nut, which was upgraded with Harry Advokaat's new Tiny R-DAS. Harry Advokaat's rocket flew very well on an AeroTech I200W. Sadly he had forgotten to secure Nut's nosecone and after an otherwise successful flight the rest of the rocket was recovered intact. When the rocket was returned it became clear the R-DAS had not worked either, fortunately no systems were connected to it. Next was Pleun Punt's shortened D-Region Tomahawk with an AeroTech I284W, but unfortunately it would not ignite twice. Probably the motor was to old and the propellant had deteriorated to much.
The following rockets were experimental. DARE's M-HOF2 rocket was designed to lift a R/C-glider to an altitude of a kilometre. The M-HOF2 project is a collaboration of DARE and it's sister organization EMoCie, who built the R/C-glider. Pleun Punt's Flying Saucer is not a proper rocket, but an exercise in aerodynamic drag propelled by a rocket motor. The M-HOF2 was launched first. It flew great, but it's unique mechanical deployment system did not work well. The R/C-glider whirled uncontrolled down and the parachute of the rocket became entangled. Later all was recovered. The R/C-glider was made ready for flight within five minutes, but the rocket had been disintegrated on landing. Pleun Punt's Flying Saucer was like a classic UFO. Pleun Punt had already flown several similar model rocket UFO's, so he had faith in it. Most other spectators had not seen one flying and were sceptical. The launch of the Flying Saucer was very spectacular and it flew very good. After the motor stopped burning the Flying Saucer came to an almost immediate halt and it turned upside down just after its top (as all UFO like "rockets" do) and landed very close to its launch tower.
The final event of the day were the motor tests. One of NAVRO's own Kalinitrox motor and three for DARE's Stratos project. The first motor test was that of one of DARE's booster motors for the Stratos project (B3). The test went fine. Next was NAVRO's Kalinitrox motor test CMT0804 and the test was good, although the results were disappointing, as they were not as expected. Following this was another successful Stratos booster motor test (B4). The results were comparable with those of the first and that was the objective of these tests. The last motor test was that of Stratos sustainer (= main) motor S3 and the almost 13 kg of sugar based propellant made quite an impression. When the propellant started burning, it blasted huge amounts of scorched sand in the air. After this successful test we disassembled the launch towers and motor test stands. We packed these and our other equipment and went home, later than ever.
Thanks to the staff of ASK 't Harde, all DARE-members and of course all NAVRO-members for their support this launch.
See you all soon at the next launch!
The thrust curve of CMT0804.The combined thrust curves of CMT0801, 03 and 04.The thrust curves of Stratos booster motor tests B3 (blue) and B4 (red). Other data: to = 15°C, PO = 0,998e5 Pa.The thrust curve of Stratos sustainer motor test S3. Other data: Itot=15000 Ns, Isp = 121 s, to = 15°C, PO = 0,998e5 Pa.
Photos
Wednesday 22 October started with loading the van in Alblasserdam.After arriving at the launch site the van was unloaded.As usual the first thing which was done, was erecting the big launch tower.Lifting the launch rail in place requires a lot of manpower.The smaller HPR tower was also erected.As was the motor test stand.DARE's new motor test stand had to be dug in. They were lucky as a militairy wheeled loading shovel helped them out. After the hole was dug by the machine Mark Uitendaal posed as if he had dug it with the shovel.With the motor test stand in place, the hole was filled.A blast deflector was also placed.Next the certification began, starting with the M-HOF2.The M-HOF2 project is a collaboration of DARE and its sister organization EMoCie. It was designed to lift a R/C-glider to an height of 1km. A collection of rockets (from left to right): DARE's CanSat Launcher v5, Harry Advokaat's Nut and Pleun Punt's shortened D-Region Tomahawk and Flying Saucer.Peter Heeren prepares the NAVRO test motor.HPR motor preparation with Pleun Punt, Harry Advokaat and René Hofsteden.DARE members and their dug in motor test stand.Sleeping was again in another hotel: "Golden Tulip de Beyaerd" near Hulshorst.The evening was great as usual.The Thursday started early at ASK 't Harde.Harry Advokaat had to finish his motor preparation, as a part of the motor casing was missing on Wednesday.Pleun Punt too, had some final preparations to do.The rocket show with René Hofsteden's AMRAAM 3, Pleun Punt's shortened D-Region Tomahawk and on the ground the lower half of DARE's CanSat Launcher v5.Motor test stands and launch towers during the rocket show.The command post van before the launches.The upper half of DARE's CanSat Launcher v5 is prepared with a thorough checklist.DARE's CanSat Launcher v5 fully assembled.René Hofsteden's AMRAAM 3 in the launch tower.The CanSat participants are standing ready for their launch.The launch of DARE's CanSat Launcher v5 on a DX1-EE motor.Just after the deployment of both CanSats.The CanSat crews check their data.René Hofsteden's AMRAAM 3 in flight on an AeroTech I211W.The deployment of René Hofsteden's AMRAAM 3.DARE's CanSat Launcher v5 was very soon recovered and following the data was retrieved.Pleun Punt optimistically activates the R-DAS of his shortened D-Region Tomahawk.Harry Advokaat and his Nut.Harry Advokaat is not nervous before the launch of his Nut.The launch of Harry Advokaat's Nut on an AeroTech I200W.Harry Advokaat listens the R-DAS' beeps after his Nut was recovered.One of the CanSat crews is interviewed by a reporter from the Teleac Radio 5 show HoeZo-radio, which was aired 29 October.The other CanSat was also recovered.Harry Advokaat too was interviewed for the HoeZo-radio show.Pleun Punt slides his Flying Saucer over the launch rail.Pleun Punt's Flying Saucer on (or should it be around?) the HPR launch towers rail.Gregory Spirlet of EMoCie checks the R/C-glider.DARE's MHOF-2 is ready for launch.Olga Motsyk just before she pushes the button for MHOF-2's launch.A DX1-EE motor lifts off DARE's MHOF-2.DARE's MHOF-2 in flight.The failed deployment off the MHOF-2.Just before the MHOF-2 crashed.The official countdown clock.The launch of Pleun Punt's Flying Saucer on an AeroTech H128W. Note the size of the motor's flame compared to the Flying Saucer.The Flying Saucer in flight when the motors thrust is ending. Note the spiral movement in the last meters of flight.The Flying Saucer at apogee. UFO like "rockets" all turn around and descent upside down.The Flying Saucer landed close to its launch tower.The recovered Flying Saucer and remains of the MHOF-2.DARE's motor test stand and in the background, the NAVRO's one.The test of the first Stratos booster motor.The badly placed relays box of the NAVRO ignition system after the first motor test.Peter Heeren connects the igniter of the NAVRO Kalinitrox test motor.NAVRO's motor test CMT0804 in progress.The thrust curve of CMT0804.The combined thrust curves of CMT0801, 03 and 04.Peter van Gemert returns the first Stratos booster motor to the spectator area.Hein Olthof and Mark Uitendaal place the second Stratos booster in the motor test stand.The test of the second Stratos booster motor in progress.The thrust curves of Stratos booster motor tests B3 (blue) and B4 (red).Preparation of the test of a Stratos sustainer motor.Just after ignition, the Stratos sustainer motor is blowing away much sand. The darker "smoke" is actually sand.The test a little later.The thrust curve of Stratos sustainer motor test S3.Sand in the smoke path of the test motor was scorched.The NAVRO launch towers were quickly disassembled.The lower half of Pleun Punt's shortened D-Region Tomahawk was quickly made safe after the failed launch attempts.Closing the hole of DARE's motor test stand took some more time than digging it.Back in Alblasserdam Tim Houmes did a very good job cleaning the launch equipment.After cleaning the launch equipment it was stored in our storage container.
Press
These are an audiofile and scans which report about the NLD28 launch.
Unfortumately all are in Dutch.
Newspaper: "Sp!ts", Saturday 24 October, 2008
Radio broadcast: Excerpt of the NLD28/Stratos report by Jos Wassink from the "Hoe?Zo! Radio" science show (Teleac/NOT), 29 October, 2008
