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Preparing a Basic Rocket for Launch
www.qldrocketry.com
QINFO -003 – Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 1 of 5
The following shows how to prepare an ESTES Patriarch for launch and the procedure for launching
using the QRS launch controller. The motor we will use is a C6-5. This is typical of a beginner’s rocket.
Step Image Description
This is how the assembled rocket looks. It
has a cardboard tube airframe, plastic fins
and launch lug and a balsa wood nose cone.
The rocket should be inspected for any
damage prior to preparing it for launch.
Here is an exploded view of the rocket
showing the shock cord, separated nose cone
and plastic parachute. The parachute has
been attached using a swivel to reduce the
likelihood of parachute entanglement.
These are the tools and materials that will be
used for the preparation. They include;
scissors, a stick (about 20cm long), some
flame resistant wadding (ceiling insulation in
this example), flame resistant cloth (in this
case, a cotton t-shirt), a C6-5 motor, an
igniter and an igniter plug.
1
Cut out a small square or circle of cloth that
is slightly bigger than the diameter of the
airframe. Grab a small amount of wadding
and press it into a ball small enough to fit
into the rocket tube.
2
Pull the shock cord free of the rocket and
insert the wadding and material into the
forward end of the rocket as shown. Use your
finger and then the stick to push the wadding
far enough into the rocket to allow the shock
cord, parachute and nosecone to be fitted.
You may need to hold the shock cord as you
do this to prevent it being pulled in. The
wadding will prevent the motor’s ejection
gases from scorching the parachute.
QINFO -003 – Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 2 of 5
3
Fold the parachute using the QRS guide,
“How to fold a hexagonal parachute”.
Applying talcum powder to the parachute
before folding it will help it to open after
deployment. A clothes peg may be used to
hold the folded parachute until you are ready
to insert it into the rocket.
4
Insert the shock cord and then the folded
parachute into the rocket. Having the open
end of the parachute facing aft (towards the
motor) will facilitate deployment.
5
Place the remaining shock cord into the
rocket and insert the nose cone. The nose
cone should fit into the top of the tube
without any gaps between it and the rocket
tube. The top assembly is now complete.
6
Remove the motor retainer from the base of
the rocket and insert the motor ensuring that
the motor’s nozzle faces aft.
7
Replace the retainer making sure that it is
firmly in place.
QINFO -003 – Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 3 of 5
8
Inspect the igniter carefully. The bridge wire
and pyrogen coating should be intact and the
lead wires should not touch each other.
Hold the pyrogen coated end firmly and bend
the igniter leads back on themselves toward
the white side of the igniter card as shown.
This will ensure good contact with the
alligator clips on the launch control cable.
9
Now hold the rocket in one hand with the
launch lug facing toward you. Insert the
igniter into the cylindrical hole at the base of
the motor with the white side of the igniter
card facing away from you. Apply light
pressure to the ends of the igniter leads to
keep the pyrogen all the way forward and in
contact with the propellant inside the motor.
Press the igniter plug into the motor nozzle
so that the igniter leads are separated and
pushed away from you.
Ensure that;
1. The pyrogen stays forward and in contact
with the propellant inside the motor.
2. The igniter leads are facing the side of the
rocket opposite to the launch lug.
3. The igniter leads do not touch each other.
The rocket is now ready to launch.
10
Complete a green flight card and present it
and your rocket to the RSO (Range Safety
Officer) for inspection. The rocket will be
inspected to ensure that it is OK for
launching.
The RSO will check the flight cards to ensure
that all of the details have been entered.
The RSO will then sign off the card.
QINFO -003 – Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 4 of 5
11
After the RSO has signed the flight card, see
the LCO (Launch Control Officer) and wait for
permission to set up your rocket on the
launch pad. At the launch pad, select a launch
rod that allows the launch lug to slide freely
over it. The blast deflector at the base of the
rod prevents the motor’s exhaust gases from
scorching the launch platform and the
ground below. The ‘stand-off’ is used to
prevent the igniter leads shorting on the blast
deflector. If the igniter has been fitted
correctly, the igniter leads will face away
from the launch rod. Connect the launch
controller cables to the rocket’s igniter leads
and note the number marked on the cable.
12
We have used launch cable number 3 so we
need to check for continuity on pad 3. Follow
the cables to the switch-box near the launch
pad. Press the switch for pad 3 and look for
the LED to light up as shown. If the LED does
not light, re-position the alligator clips on the
igniter leads and test again. When you have
continuity, wait near the LCO’s table until it is
your turn to launch. Present the flight card
to the LCO.
13
When it is time to launch, the LCO will enable
your pad number (in this example, it is pad 3)
by lifting the ‘missile switch’ cover marked as
‘3’and flicking the toggle switch up. The LCO
will ask, “Do we have clear skies?” If there
are no low lying clouds or approaching
aircraft, the LCO arm the system by turning
the key switch (you will hear beeps to
indicate that the controller is ready) and
commence the countdown –
“Launching in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ..”
14
At the end of the countdown, push and hold
the launch button for a few seconds or until
the rocket is launched.
Now keep your eyes on your rocket!
QINFO -003 – Prepare a Basic Rocket (Rev 1) 30 September 2012 Page 5 of 5
15
After the rocket is launched, the LCO will
disable the launch controller by turning the
keyswitch to ‘off’ and pushing the ‘missile
switch’ cover down.
16
In the event of a misfire, the LCO will start
the timer by pushing the blue button. The
timer will count down from 60 seconds to
zero. You should wait for instructions from
the LCO before proceeding to the launch pad
to investigate the reason for the misfire.