L1 Post-Flight Analyses

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3 L1 Attempts

Boom Boom

Flight Summary

Date of Flight Feb. 6, 2016
Launch Location LUNAR
L1 Certification Attempt? Yes
Launcher Nate
Recovery Status Recovered
Result Failure

Rocket Specs

Manufacturer Giant Leap Rocketry Firestorm 54
Length 69.4"
Weight 51 oz
Motor H550ST-A14
On-Board Avionics None: L1
Payload 36" main parachutes

Analysis

The time delay was set improperly, and the parachute deployed prematurely. The result was an enormous zipper down the entire fuselage section from the nose cone to halfway down the aft airframe. Mild debris falling after rapid unscheduled disassembly was successfully aboided. This did not meet the requirements for an L1.

Zipper

Flight Summary

Date of Flight Feb. 19, 2016
Launch Location TRIPOLI CENTRAL
L1 Certification Attempt? Yes
Launcher Nate
Recovery Status Recovered
Result Failure

Rocket Specs

Manufacturer Giant Leap Rocketry Firestorm 54
Length 69.4"
Weight 51 oz
Motor H550 (Reusable)
On-Board Avionics None: L1
Payload 36" main parachutes

Analysis

The motor for this launch was a reusable motor. It was assembled incorrectly, with one small component inverted. The result was ignition of the ejection charge immediately after liftoff, and the nosecone popped off 5 feet above the pad. The result was a spectacular cartwheel by the L-1 assembly, and a slight 2 inch zipper at the top of the fore airframe. No other component of the L1 had been damaged.

Please

Flight Summary

Date of Flight Feb. 19, 2016
Launch Location TRIPOLI CENTRAL
L1 Certification Attempt? Yes
Launcher Nate
Recovery Status Recovered
Result Success

Rocket Specs

Manufacturer Giant Leap Rocketry Firestorm 54
Length 66"
Weight 50 oz
Motor H550 (Reusable)
On-Board Avionics None: L1
Payload 36" main parachutes

Analysis

"Zipper," from the previous flight, was repaired and reused. As a zipper cut existed at the top 2 inches of the fore airframe, the top 2 inches were sawed off using a swiss army knife tool. The nose cone was fitted, the rocket was renamed, and the specs were changed. The motor was reloaded, this time properly. The launch was uneventful; the rocket was recovered.




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