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Highlights of recent developments on the MiniSShot Project
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** Excellent progress has been achieved on the MiniSShot project over
the past three weeks **
Those responsible deserve a hearty pat-on-the-back. Here are some
highlights:
- Casting of the propellant grain segments for the upcoming static test
will take place on Saturday, April 5th. It is also hoped that the
segments for the flight will be cast at this time (a total of 24
segments). In support of this event, Matt has completed milling the KN.
Brent has prepared the casting bases and has arranged for Ed at TRU-CORE
( http://www.rocketsaway.com/trucore/ ) to produce the base discs and
alignment caps. Ed has very generously volunteered to produce these
parts at no-charge to us. Propellant casting will be done by Matt
Campbell, Rick Maschek and Brent Dougherty. Sam Grado, who supplied the
KN and Sorbitol at a highly discounted price, is expected to make a
guest appearance at the event.
- Roman has nearly completed fabrication of the nosecone. The two
half-shells were bonded together this weekend and indications are that
the nosecone has turned out well and is close to its frugal mass target
of 245 grams. Here are some photos:
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/nosecone/nc5.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/nosecone/nc4.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/nosecone/nc3.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/nosecone/nc2.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/nosecone/nc1.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/nosecone/nc6.jpg
-Ed Mallory has made arrangements with Jimmy Yawn to fly some key
MiniSShot avionics at the NEFAR launch event in mid-April, utilizing
Jimmy's modified "Sugar Rush" rocket. Components that will be on board
the flight will be finalized as the date approaches. Tentatively, Ed's
video transmitter and GPS transmitters, Craig's DTMF board (two boards
were shipped by Craig from Australia - Ed received them on March 29th),
and Hans' Chute Controller. Hans has been working with data from Jimmy
to help program the Chute Controllers for the expected 7,000 ft
apogee.
- Craig is currently working on a User Manual for the DTMF boards.
- The fin design has been completed and CAD models of the fin
positive-moulds have been produced by Mario Escalante. The models have
been forwarded to Alan Reid for CNC machining. Mario has recently been
recruited to produce SolidWorks CAD models for SugarShot -- thank you
Mario for your much needed help. BTW, Mario lives in Brazil and Alan is
located in New Zealand.
- Richard has completed the machining of the midbulkhead ablative to
blueprint dimensions. The RNX delay plug has been cast in place in the
midbulkhead in preparation for hydro-static proof testing of the delay
plug to occur in the near future. The delay plug has been cast to its
"minimum thickness" to simulate the critical loading condition of full
chamber pressure at motor burnout when much of the plug has been burned
away. Here are photos of the plug mould, installed mould, and cast RNX
delay plug:
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/plugmould.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/mouldinplace.jpg
http://sugarshot.org/downloads/delayplug.jpg
- Shawn McHatten of New Brunswick, Canada, joined the SugarShot team a
few weeks ago. I'm pleased to say that Shawn has agreed to lend a
helping hand in various ways including recovery system matters and
(importantly) project management.
- Andrew Nowakowski, a sophomore student attending Webb Institute (in
New York state) and studying Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering,
has recently agreed to help out in overhauling our SugarShot website, an
undertaking that is long overdue. Welcome, Andrew, and thanks for taking
on this assignment.
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Contributions to the SugarShot program are always welcome and always
badly needed. For more information, see:
http://www.sugarshot.org/sponsors.html#Donors
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