Today was the largest crowd size I’ve ever seen at a DART launch. I counted at least three good-sized Cub Scout units in attendance, plus newcomers, passers-by, regulars, and our hardworking vendors Discount Rocketry.
Wait times for my first two launches were VERY long. That combined with an early morning event on the island that pushed the start time to 9AM meant that I only had three flights.
First up was my Estes Twin Factor, test flown in single-stage configuration on an A10-3T.
View attachment trim.923D83BE-7D31-480E-9376-D11D62F0F316.MOV
Very draggy rocket, nice and easy recovery.
Next up was my Estes Spirit on a Q-Jet C18-4W. The burn bypassed the delay grain, activated the ejection charge during the boost, and stripped the parachute. The rocket returned to Earth otherwise undamaged. I plan to file a warranty claim and a MESS report, once I get some down time. Date code is 041023-04
View attachment trim.1102BEC5-0CF6-46BE-95CF-B9D2B57D32EF.MOV
After buying a new chute from Jim’s trailer, I tried again with the other motor in the pack. This one worked a charm and ended up on top of the berms, now overgrown from a rainy spring and very slippery.
Next time that chute is getting reefed or downsized.
View attachment trim.AD9FE971-0D9D-4097-935C-DC7520907B57.MOV
That was it! Out of breath and out of time, Mindy and I packed up to grab a lunch with her mom for Mothers’ Day. My stomach is growling at me, I can hardly stand it.
Wait times for my first two launches were VERY long. That combined with an early morning event on the island that pushed the start time to 9AM meant that I only had three flights.
First up was my Estes Twin Factor, test flown in single-stage configuration on an A10-3T.
View attachment trim.923D83BE-7D31-480E-9376-D11D62F0F316.MOV
Very draggy rocket, nice and easy recovery.
Next up was my Estes Spirit on a Q-Jet C18-4W. The burn bypassed the delay grain, activated the ejection charge during the boost, and stripped the parachute. The rocket returned to Earth otherwise undamaged. I plan to file a warranty claim and a MESS report, once I get some down time. Date code is 041023-04
View attachment trim.1102BEC5-0CF6-46BE-95CF-B9D2B57D32EF.MOV
After buying a new chute from Jim’s trailer, I tried again with the other motor in the pack. This one worked a charm and ended up on top of the berms, now overgrown from a rainy spring and very slippery.
Next time that chute is getting reefed or downsized.
View attachment trim.AD9FE971-0D9D-4097-935C-DC7520907B57.MOV
That was it! Out of breath and out of time, Mindy and I packed up to grab a lunch with her mom for Mothers’ Day. My stomach is growling at me, I can hardly stand it.
