Again its ben awhile since an update, but here we go.
The 2 main issues on the last flight was not getting enough kick of the pad because I was trying to keep it low and slow, and sustainer recovery was packed tight. I fixed the tight recovery by switching to a TopFlight Parachute and changing out the nylon for Kevlar. Now there is more than enough room for everything to slide around. I used the same sustainer motor G79W but for the booster I used a I435.
I also have a BlueRaven that is in the sustainer replacing one of the RavenV4s. The Blue raven will be used for Primary deployment changes and will also be hooked up to a light for sustainer ignition (not the ignitor for this flight). The RavenV4 will be controlling the back up deployment charges and the actual sustainer ignition.
The flight was great with way too much data to go though. But Ill try to give the highlights.
What worked: Boost was great, separation was good, it stayed within tilt limits, ignitor worked, sustainer boost was good, and all recovery was nominal and not too far from the pad.
Boost all looking nominal! Boost photos by Harry Spears
Sustainer recovery: Cord cutter holding everything together. (The white wire is the sustainer ignitor umbilical)
Sustainer recovery: Cord cutter has cut and main being deployed!
There are still a list of improvements for the next flight.
1) The BlueRaven lit its light right at booster burn out instead of when “I thought” I had it programed. I was overlooking the secondary setting. Both primary and secondary setting needs to be configured. Awesome feature that I will be using but it slipped my mind. That’s what testing is for!
2) I was hoping for a little coast before ignition, but the way I had the RavenV4 programed it lit almost right at separation. Next flight I will put a larger T> value it has to pass before ignition.
3) with the booster in the next flight going +2K I will be adding the cord cutters to the booster as well.
4) I am replacing the Quantum in the booster with a RavenV4. This change will also carry over to the 54mm rocket to reduce space required.
5) Since both sections landed close I was not looking at the GPS systems. Even though I am sure everything worked fine, I could not verify it. This will have to be done on the next flight.
For 2Testys next flight and final needed test flight it will be launching on a J500 -> I205.
-The BlueRaven will control the sustainer ignition. RTOM3 will still ride along for data, but probably wont fly it after this one.
For the 54mm part of the project, I am waiting on a good time to meet up with my buddy to layup the tubes. I am also working on the av bay layout. Switching to the BlueRaven has simplified it and gave me a few options to think about.
Nose cone set up with 2 Ravens, GPS, camera, dual pull pin, and magnetic switch. Still needs several tweaks until I start creating the plastic support however the current idea is to do it in modular sections that bolt together. So there will be a top section for the Ravens&GPS that bolts to a middle battery section and then a lower switch / camera section.
Then this is the interstage coupler with a Raven, AltDuo, GPS, dual pull pin, and a magnetic switch.