Apogee detector – by Alberto Gassol 03/01/2009 (last update may 31, 2011)
© IE 2009
Mechanical:
Electrical:
Basic schematic:
R1 = 150 ohms R2 = 150 ohms R3 = 150 ohms Switch = snap switch |
 |
|---|
Board layout:
The switch is normally open but since the SCR is closed the igniter doesn't work. When the switch is activated, current flows through the gate (G) on the SCR opening it. When the switch is released to its normal position, the igniter is activated.
Test:
June 20, 2009 - Dan Pollino's Coyote rocket - You Tube Video
The parachute ejected at apogee as expected but a bulkhead failure separated the main rocket body from the nose cone. The lower part of the rocket plummeted to ground and the nose cone ended some where in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta?)
Dan came up with a more practical version of the system which you can view here: You Tube Video
July 25, 2009 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at mojave desert - You Tube Video
Second successful test with parachute recovery using Dan's version of the apogee detector.
August 15, 2009 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at ocotillo launch site - You Tube video
Third successful test using the apogee detector.
October 3, 2009 - Dan Pollino's Coyote and modified Coyote Rocket at ocotillo launch site - You Tube video
The first rocket was a modified coyote clustered rocket that broke up during second stage flight, still the apogee detector worked.
View windows media video of flight: coyote1.wmv (1.4 Mb)
The second rocket was a standard coyote with a perfect flight and soft landing
View windows media video of flight: coyote2.wmv (2.8 Mb)
January 23, 2010 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at ocotillo launch site - You Tube video
Perfect flight with on board video camera.
Boy I'm tired ;-0
January 31, 2010 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at ocotillo launch site - You Tube video
Same rockets as in January 23 flight with same on board video camera. Great flight!
February 27, 2010 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at ocotillo launch site - You Tube video
Engine section separated from rest of rocket but still had a good recovery.
March 14, 2010 - Another great first flight of Dan Pollino's coyote rocket. You Tube video
April 27, 2010 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at Lucerne Soggy Lake.
April 2011 - Dan Pollino's Coyote Rocket at Ocotillo. You Tube video
Last month the Coyote rocket for the first time was flows three consecutive times successfully and the apogee detector worked to perfection on all flights. Dan has just published a new book called "I Still Have All My Fingers" where he has two chapters on how to build the apogee detector. Highly recommended.
The Rocket
First recovery
Second recovery
Third recovery
Rocket on the ground