Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Most Powerful Amateur Rocket in Canada

Posted by michael on from the good,-eh? dept.

Alex Schmidt writes "A group of Canadian 'amateur' rocketeers successfully launched a 16 1/2 foot rocket to a height of about 5500 feet. The rocket is based on the 'Dauphine' a meteorological rocket from the 1960's. The rocket weighed 300 pounds, stood 16.5 feet high and 21 inches in diameter. The motors generated 2400lbs of thrust. It successfully landed after 3 of 4 parachutes properly deployed."

3 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Engine? by proctorg76 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    According to the letter code used by the National Association of Rocketry ( http://www.nar.org ), each letter has twice the power of the class before it and a "D" class engine generates between 2.5 and 5 lbs of thrust. The article claims 2,400 lbs of thrust, so by doubling the power range until it includes 2400 it is revealed that this would be an "L" class engine.

    --
    Something distinct that people will remember better than my name
  2. Re:Engine? by NanoWit · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So that would put a Saturn V (~7,500,000 lb.) at one letter past Z (AA?)

  3. Re:Was it really impressive? by taniwha · · Score: 4, Interesting
    we've flown similar rockets to 100k ft at Blackrock in the US - the Canadian rocket looks big and heavy to me - similar to this one that flew to a similar height on larger motors.

    100k ft is REALLY hard to reach - motors are extremely expensive and the technology is not wonderfully reliable. Mind you the US govt just banned all our motors due to the 'Patriot' act. On the other hand flying a light weight rocket to 6k is easy, people do it all the time - on cardboard and plywood - 100k requires lightweight composite materials that can stand flying thru mach 3