| June 16, 2001 NMSU tailgating lot ROCKET: Yellow Jacket LAUNCH: 26 MOTOR USED: B4-4 SUMMARY: Today was not the day for picture-perfect recoveries, as you will soon find out. The first launch was fine, but even the light wind carried it over the road and into another dirt lot by the stadium. No damage, but I felt winded after a run of about 500 feet. I was afraid that it might be hit by an oncoming car; fortunately, it did not land in the road. ROCKET: Yellow Jacket LAUNCH: 27 MOTOR USED: B4-4 SUMMARY: After angling the launch pad a little into the wind, I launched YJ again. Mild disaster ensues. I forgot to add the recovery wadding (oops), and the parachute didn't come off. The nose cone did, though, and the rocket went spiraling to the ground. As a result, the first inch of the airframe is moderately crumpled and the parachute's edges were a little blackened. ROCKET: Yellow Jacket LAUNCH: 28 MOTOR USED: B4-4 SUMMARY: Better flight this time, and thus a better recovery. Short walk to landing area. ROCKET: Yellow Jacket LAUNCH: 29 MOTOR USED: B4-4 SUMMARY: Good flight, terrible recovery. Two of the six shroud lines on the parachute snapped, causing the rocket to do fast helicopter-like spins until it reached the ground. Of course, the parachute was immediately disposed of. Time to pack up. DAMAGE REPORT: First inch of Yellow Jacket airframe still taking damage from zippering and crumpling; another 12" parachute destroyed. |