Commander Kip Quasar's Galactic Zephyr

Avionics

The Zephyr's avionics will consist of one Missile Works RRC2 Altimeter and one G-Wiz MC Flight Computer. More details will be posted later.

RRC2 Altimeter Features and Specifications

• 0 - 25000 Ft. MSL altitude range
• Operation based on the U.S. Standard Atmosphere (1976)*
• 2 independent recovery stages with 1.25 amp FET outputs / capacitive discharge
• Stage 1 fires at apogee / Stage 2 fires at 1000' / 800' / 500' / 300' AGL (switch selectable)
• Standard 2 stage apogee/AGL recovery or redundant apogee deployment (switch selectable)
• User programmable mach flight inhibit timer (switch selectable at  4 / 8 / 12 seconds)
• Audibly reported peak altitude typically within 3% AGL span (MSL standardized - uncompensated)
• Each unit characterized and calibrated in a 1/2% barometric chamber
• Audible ejection charge continuity verification with 80 µa sample current
• Auto compensating lift off detection that's immune to normal temp or barometric variation
• Barometric sensor test with live zero and audible alert
• Full input and output test mode to pre-test on the ground before you commit to flight
• Superior compression terminal strips for external switch and ejection charge wiring
• RF immunized printed circuit board with integral ground plane
• Operational status LED indicator
• Super positive on board 9V battery retention hardware
• Engineered for a perfect fit into a 38mm coupler tube
• Dimensions - 1.3" wide x 5.9" long (3.7 cm wide x 14.5 cm long)
• Weight - 1.76 oz (50 gm) w/o battery   / 3.38 oz w/battery (96 gm) typical

G-Wiz MC Flight Computer Features and Specifications

• Pyro output 1 - Jumper select between Launch detect (for clusters) and Burnout detect (for staging)
• Pyro output 2 - Fires at Apogee detect.  Apogee detection is always based on Accelerometer data, and is not subject to problems with Mach transition.
• Pyro output 3 (LC Deluxe only) - Fires at a fixed low altitude.  400' and 800' units available.
• Status LED shows readiness at launch, and maximum altitude upon landing.  Altitude is calculated on LC, and Barometrically based (more accurate) on Deluxe.
• 2 (LC) or 3 (LC Deluxe) Continuity LEDs show continuity of device on Pyro output. Flashbulb safe.
• Analog to Digital converter reads accelerometer and barometric sensors to 8 bit precision.  Equivalent to about 100 ft/count barometric, or .5 G per count acceleration.
• High performance RISC processor uses proprietary techniques to calculate altitude properly.  It does not rely on linear simplifications, but follows atmospheric pressure to altitude models very closely.
• High current FET driven pyro outputs are capable of delivering up to 8 amps for a full second, each.  Outputs capable of delivering up to 50 amps are available on request.
• Uses 2 batteries to ensure that the battery driving the pyro output does not interfere with the computer.
• Positive retention.
• Unit dimensions: 3.9" x 0.7"

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