3774161-325825VU SPACE SCHOOL

3774161-325825VU SPACE SCHOOL

Model Rocket Construction Instructions

ROCKET DESIGN

You are required to build the rocket based on the following design.

Figure 1: Basic model construction design.

WHAT TO DO

The rocket design and construction consists of 5 parts: 1) engine mount, 2) fins, 3) parachute, 4) payload bay & nose cone, and 5) assembly.

Assign one person in your team to be responsible for the construction of part each. Construct the parts according to the rocket design above and instructions below. You may vary the design and constructions as desired.

Using the Parts Purchasing Form (attached), purchase the necessary parts for your rocket. Remember, one of the scoring goals is to minimise your costs. You may not need every part listed depending on your design. If you damage a part during construction, you may buy replacement parts.

Once you have constructed your rocket parts, have it checked with the Flight Director who will sign off on the Certificate of Flight Readiness.

ROCKET CONSTRUCTION - ENGINE MOUNT

Figure 2: Engine mount construction.

The engine mount consists of the following parts:

1x Engine tube

1x Engine hook

2x large (green) centering rings

1x Small (blue centering ring.

Instructions

Construct the engine mount as shown in Figure 2 above.

Insert and glue the small (blue) centering ring at one end of the engine tube.

To mount the engine hook, make a small slice using a craft knife about 1 cm from the end of the engine tube that has the small centering ring. Insert one end of the hook into the slit. The other end of the engine hook should protrude about 1 cm from the other end of the engine tube as shown in Figure 2.

Slide one large (green) centering ring over the engine hook and glue it to engine tube about 2 cm from the end of the tube.

insert and glue the second large (green) centering ring at the other end of the engine tube.

Have your engine mount checked by your instructor.

Glue the engine mount to the rocket body.

Safety Warning

The craft knife is sharp and dangerous if not used correctly or improperly. Always retract the knife blade after use.

ROCKET CONSTRUCTION - FINS

Fins provide the rocket with stability during flight. Your rocket fins are constructed using lightweight balsa wood.

Instructions

Using the available balsa sheet, cut the desired number of fins (the rocket requires a minimum of 3 fins) to the desired shape and size.

You may use sandpaper to improve aerodynamics and reduce air resistance.

Glue the fins to the end of the rocket body tube, ensuring that the fins are straight and aligned. You may use a fin marking guide to assist with this.

Safety Warning

The hobby knife is sharp and dangerous if not used correctly or improperly. Always retract the knife blade after use.

The glue provided is quick-drying. Avoid contact with skin. If contacted, with skin, wipe off immediately with a towel or tissue or rinse off with water.

ROCKET CONSTRUCTION - Parachute

The parachute provides soft landing of the rocket by increasing the drag experienced by the rocket as it falls back to Earth.

Instructions

Construct and assemble the parachute as per instructions in the parachute kit.

ROCKET CONSTRUCTION - Payload bay & nose cone

The nose cone enables the rocket to cut through the air and reduce air resistance. The payload section is the part of the rocket that carries the cargo, or payload. Payload may be astronauts, supplies, equipment or weapons. Here, the payload will be an altimeter that will measure the maximum height of the rocket.

Instructions - Payload bay & Nose cone

The payload bay and nose cone assembly consists of 6 parts: 1) Payload bay tube, 2) Coupler, 3) Bulkhead, 4) Connecting cord, 5) nose cone shoulder, 6) nose cone.

Figure 3: Payload bay & nose cone assembly.Figure 4: Bulkhead assembly.

Tie the connecting cord to make a loop.

Glue the connecting cord onto a bulkhead as shown in Figure 4.

For maximum strength, glue an extra bulkhead, sandwiching the cord between the two bulkheads.

Glue the bulkhead assembly to one end of a coupler. This coupler will be used to connect the payload bay with the main rocket body tube.

Insert the coupler half way into the payload bay tube and glue together.

NOTE: The coupler and payload bay must not be glued to the main body tube.

Glue the nose cone to the shoulder.

Note: Do not glue the nose cone shoulder to the payload bay.

Have your instructor check the payload assembly.

FINAL ASSEMBLY

With all your parts now constructed, it is time to assemble the rocket.

Glue one end of the long shock cord diagonally to the shock cord glue sheet and fold the sheet as per instructions on the sheet.

Glue the folded sheet to the inside of the main body tube. Ensure that the shock cord is securely connected to the body tube.

Tie the other end of the shock cord to the connecting cord that is attached to the bulkhead on the payload bay.

Insert wadding material inside the main body tube, push down towards the engine mount.

Tie the parachute cords to the connecting cord on the payload bay.

Carefully fold the parachute, ensuring that the parachute cords are not tangled.

Insert the folded parachute into the main body tube.

Connect payload bay to the main body. Do not glue them together.

Connect nose cone to the payload bay. Do not glue them together.

Glue the launch lug to outside of the main body, ensuring that the lug is straight and not obstructed by any fins.

Have your completed rocket checked by your instructor.

Your rocket is now ready for the swing test.

SWING TEST

The swing test is a simple method of checking if your rocket will be stable during flight and that it can orient itself to fly in the right direction.

Instructions

Balance your fully assembled rocket horizontally on one finger. The point where the rocket will balance is called the centre of gravity (CoG). Mark this point with a pencil.

Tie a cord tightly around the rocket at this point. To secure the cord, tape the cord to the body at the CoG with a small piece of sticky tape.

Swing your rocket horizontally around your head, observing the orientation of the rocket during the swing. If the rocket orients horizontally and begins to swing nose first, then your rocket is considered stable.

Figure 3(a) Unstable rocket (vertical orientation). Figure 3(b) Stable rocket (horizontal orientation).

Once your rocket passes the swing test your rocket is ready to fly.

PARTS LIST

30 cm body tube

7 cm Payload Bay tube

Engine tube

Nose cone & nose cone shoulder

Engineer hook Body coupler

Kevlar shock cords

Shock cord glue sheet

Wadding

Launch lug

Large centering ring

Small centering ring

Balsa wood sheet

Buldhead

Parachute kit

Sandpaper

Fin marking guide ADDITIONAL TOOLS & MATERIALS PROVIDED

In addition, the following construction material and tools are provided free of charge.

Materials Received Returned

Scissors

Hobby knife

Pencil

Glue

Ruler

CERTIFICATE OF FLIGHT READINESS (CoFR)

To enable your rocket to launch safely, your rocket must pass the Certificate of Flight Readiness (CoFR). The CoFR ensures that your rocket has been constructed properly and tested before it is able to launch.

Item # Item Description Passed?

1 Engine Mount. Engine mount has been properly constructed, connected to the rocket in the correct orientation, is able to hold a rocket engine firmly and can refill the rocket engine?

2 Payload bay and nose cone properly constructed. Bulkhead and shock cord secure. Payload is not glued to the main body. Nose cone is not glue to the payload.

2 Engine Lug is mounted.

3 Shock cord is securely connecting the main body with the payload bay.

4 Parachute attached to payload bay

5 Nose cone is not glued to the payload bay.

6 Swing Test. Rocket can right itself and can stabilize under swing?

7 Wadding paper placed between engine and parachute?