Project Status: The engine mounting tube has been fabricated and attached into the aeroframe. Payload bay is partially completed. PK6 altimeter kit has been assembled and successfully tested. Fins have been cut and have been attached into the aeroframe. Bulkhead have been screwed in, and shock chord attached. We decided to go with DSB-SC AM as our type of signal modulation. To accomplish this, we are going to use a MC1496 chip for modulation in the transmitter. For the receiver, we are going to build a costas loop from a phase lock loop chip and a couple of the MC1496 chips to split the carrier from the incoming AM signal to be multiplied once again in a MC1496 chip for demodulation. We are also in the process of designing the amplifier output stage of the transmitter. The rocket is now fully painted. The 12 volt power source has been mounted in the payload bay. The camera housing is completed. We are currently researching upconversion and downconversion, since we are going to modulate/demodulate at 4Mhz in the MC1496 chip, we need to up/down convert the signal in the TX/RX to TX/RX the signal on a 445Mhz carrier. The RF oscillator is still in the design stages, however the amplitude modulating circuit has been fabricated and tested with a 3MHz carrier, the circuit has proven itself with good carrier suppression. Rocket is ready for test flight (w/out video camera)
Well, the launch did not go to well. For starters, the PK6 altimeter was malfunctioning (was working fine during lab testing), and did not work. So, we changed over to a passive recovery system. Once we finally got the rocket in the air, the fins were ripped off due to the high acceleration sending the rocket into an unstable tumble. So this project is put on hold for now. We are still going to build the video TX & RX, but not fly it in a rocket yet. Probably will rebuild the rocket over the summer.
Click Here for the Video of the launch. (5 Mb w/sound)
Overall weight: ~6.5 lbs
Estimated altitude (Simulated): 7000 ft
Estimated max velocity (Simulated): 988ft/sec
Estimated max acceleration (Simulated): 623.29 ft/sec/sec
Estimated time to apogee (Simulated): 18.41 sec
Peak Thrust: ~200lbs
Avg Thrust: ~150lbs
Burn Time: ~3.0 seconds
Launch date (w/out video camera): Sunday March 14, 2004
Location: Mojave Test Area
Tentative launch date (w/ video camera): Saturday April 10, 2004
Location: Mojave Test Area (Canceled)
If interested in coming out to observe the launch, you must fill out a Pacific Rocket Society Membership and liability waiver form, and bring it along with the fee specified on the form on the day of the launch. |
