Commander Kip Quasar's Galactic Zephyr

Scale Drawing

At right is a scale drawing that shows external dimensions as well as the details and dimensions of some key internal components. I drew it this way to show that the Zephyr is basically a 3FNC surrounded by a foam and fiberglass aerodynamically contoured shell. The two sections of airframe (forward and aft) are identically shaped. The aft section is fitted with fins and 4" motor mount. The forward section is fitted with recovery gear and a nose cone.

Most of the components will be discussed in more detail in the Construction Package, but I will point out a few notable details here. The launch lugs are 1" copper repair fittings (couplers) that will take a 1" launch rod (internal diameter is about 1.125"). They attached to the central 6" tube. There are six separate payload bays arranged around the center tube at the middle of the airframe, three in the aft section and three forward. These will hold the electronic control systems.

Not all the drawings in the Construction Package show this detail, but I am designing a 'crush zone' at the tip of each fin. Chances are that only one fin will hit the ground first, and probably at an awkward angle. The replaceable, collapsible components will help absorb shock upon landing and protect the rest of the fins and fillets from damage. Thanks for this suggestion go to by Burl Finklestein, who used the concept succesfully on his Level 3 certification flight.

INDEX

Introduction (narrative) Flights First Flight Second Flight Third Flight Fourth Flight Fifth Flight Construction Package Scale Dimensional Drawing Airframe Construction Nose Construction Fin Construction Recovery Package Avionics (Control Devices) Recovery Operation Description Recovery Hardware and Components Pyrotechnic Devices Shear Pins Ejection Testing Stability Evaluation Launch Pad Description Stability Overview RockSim Simulation AeroCFDSimulation Barrowman Calculations Conclusions Postscript - the "anti-zephyr" Flight Performance Parameters Motor Description Launch Weight Launch Velocity Estimated Drag Coefficient Maximim Altitude and Velocity Procedural Checklists (MS word document) Pre-Launch Checklist Motor Preparation and Installation Recovery Preparation Parachute and Harness Preparation Control Devices Preparation Pyrotechnics Preparation Launch Checklist Pad Procedures Launch Sequence Misfire Procedures Recovery Checklist Normal Recovery Procedures Flight Failure Procedures Calculations and Resource Files Maiden Flight Video RockSim File M1010 WRASP/RockSim motor data M1010 Flight Simulation M1000 WRASP/RockSim motor data M1000 Flight Simulation Barrowman Calculations Descent Calculations Parts List HyperTEK Manual.pdf

PHOTO BY BILLY DAHLBERG