#model rocketry

[victusinveritas]

[stone-cold-groove]

Lift off... with Estes model rockets. Estes powered model rocketry ad - 1970.

[cosmic-perspective]

For those interested in the life of me…

I also like to build model rockets, and today I finished my 4” LOC Goblin. It’s themed after a Nuka Cola Quantum pop bottle from the videogame series Fallout. And yes, the rocket glows just like the irradiated pop!

Now to pack everything up, get a final weight, run a final sim, then drill the motor to set the delay. I present the “Quantum” rocket. Trying for my L1 HPR certification here in a few weeks time.

Wish me and the “Quantum” good luck! If it survives I can use it for my L2 cert down the road. 😬🚀

[science70]

Estes 1976 Model Rocketry Catalog.

[sohannabarberaesque]

I have to wonder if Doggie Daddy had serious reservations from the standpoint of safety in particular about allowing his doting Son of Sons, Augie, to practice model rocketry (let alone shortwave radio) as a hobby.

@warnerarchive @hanna-barbera-land @warnerbrosentertainment @screamingtoosoftly @fini-mun @hanna-barberians @wherearethememesonmyplate @hanna-barbera-blog @dinobirdy @themineralyoucrave

[anotheruserwithnoname]

Rocket blasts off near Lethbridge to commemorate Apollo 11 anniversary

A homemade rocket blasted off in southern Alberta to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission when the first of humankind set foot on the moon.The Kronos E, a 1:20 scale replica of…

A followup to the post I did before the weekend - the homemade model rocket replica of the Saturn V a group of people in Calgary made to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 launched successfully near Lethbridge on Saturday. Some nice video to go along with this in the story.

[psithurismous]

So how does somebody go about getting certified to fly high power rockets anyway?  Well, for Level 1 and 2, here’s how the process generally goes:

L1 Certification

1. Personal Requirements There is an age limit on earning HPR certifications . . . each person trying to earn an L1 Cert. needs to be at least 18 years old.  This can be proven using a birth certificate or a driver’s license.  You’ll also need to be a NAR member. You can become a NAR member at this website. For me, a membership will cost $25, but the cost varies with age, family NAR status, and whether you want to pay for extra magazines and stuff.

2. Certification Team Once you are old enough to get this whole process started and you’re for sure a member of NAR, you’ll need to assemble a team.  The job of the certification team is to help you earn your certification.  These two people need to already be members of NAR and 18+.  One of them must also have at least the level of certification that you are trying to earn.  Your certification team will be the ones to witness your certification launch (in person) and examine your rocket post-flight to check for damage / determine if your certification is a success.

3. Build the Rocket Now the fun part! Building the rocket!  For an L1 Cert., you must design a rocket that can safely utilize an H or I class motor and return via active recovery.  I’ll go more into how to build your rocket in another post. :)

4. Paperwork & Other Official Things Before launching your rocket, you will need to fill out the NAR High Power Certification Application.  Your rocket will also need to pass a pre-flight safety inspection where you will be given an oral quiz on the particulars of your rocket and its design.

5. Blast Off! (Launch Day) In addition to everything previous, there are some other things you’ll need to do on launch day.  First, you must make sure to use a motor that is certified by NAR and that is meant for L1 launches (classes H and I).  You must also have your certification team with you to watch the launch, evaluate performance mid-launch, and determine the outcome post-launch.  Then, hopefully they will initial for you to receive your certification, which will then be sent off to NAR Headquarters so you can receive a certification card.

L2 Certification

1. Personal Requirements As with an L1 Cert., you must be 18 to earn an L2.  You must also be a NAR member with a valid L1 Certification (certifications last 1 year FYI).

2. Certification Team You’ll need to have a certification team for an L2 Cert. as well.  This duo needs to be NAR members who are 18+.  Again, one of these individuals must have at least the same certification level that you are attempting to earn. 

3. Build the Rocket L2 rockets should be built to handle motors from classes J through L and return through active recovery methods.  My rocket will be able to handle both an L1 and L2 launch; it will likely have a lot in common with more standard L2 model rockets, especially since it needs to be able to handle the higher impulses of the L2 motors.

 Paperwork & Other Official Things An L2 also requires that a NAR High Power Certification Application be filled out prior to launch day.  Also, you will need to pass (88%) the HPR Level 2 Written Exam before launch day.  This covers HPR laws and technical information about model rockets.   You can order the test through the mail, but may need to wait on its delivery for a week.  Finally, as with an L1, your rocket will be given a pre-flight safety inspection.  You will need to provide them with answers regarding the specifics of your rocket.

5. Blast Off! (Launch Day) Just like before, make sure you are using a motor certified by NAR for L2 launches.  Then, have your certification team watch you launch and determine its outcome.  Hopefully your flight will go well and you’ll earn a NAR HPR L2 Certification!

Well, that’s about it.  There are more specifics about the L1 and L2 process at NAR’s website.  HMU if you’ve got any questions (or just wanna say hi).

[classhattery]

Neighborly

So today I decided to do some lab work involving rockets outside. When I did this, however, I didn’t bother changing out of my lab gear. There I am, outside, in a stark white lab coat, black gloves, and goggles, holding a rocket in one hand and ignition cord in the other, looking like a sarcastic Doc Brown -- when my neighbor walks up. I was delightfully surprised that instead of a line of questioning about my apparel, he asked for advice on home repair because, and I quote, ”I looked like I knew what I was doing.” Lab coat: Best investment I’ve made in a while.