RUNNING HEAD: Team America Rocketry Challenge 1

Team America Rocketry Challenge

Progress Report 13

By Sidney Boakye and Amy Nguyen

5/17/2017

Junior Physics Mentorship

Governors School @ Innovation Park

Objectives: Complete all flights with the rebuild rocket and mathematically evaluate different

sections of the flights

 Team America Rocketry Challenge 2

Materials and Methods

List of materials:

RockSim (rocket modeling software)

Rocket Nose Cone
Couplers
Body Tubes
Balsa Wood Fins
Altimeter
Rocket Motors
Motor Mounts
Team America Rocketry Challenge 3

Last Three Weeks

During the last three weeks we have reconstructed our model rocket because of the extensive

damage caused to the first constructed rocket after flight. We troubleshot issues with the last

rocket before preparing this one and made necessary adjustment. We also worked with our

mentor/teacher Dr. Psaker to come up with a mathematical data evaluations method. Using

different equations we will be able to calculate different aspects of our rockets flight. This is

necessary as our altimeter is only able to track the maximum height travelled by the model

rocket.

The Next Two Weeks

In the next two weeks we plan to do data evaluations using the data collected from our test

fights. We also plan on creating a powerpoint and constructing a poster board for our final

presentations of our projects. These will be presented to our peers and at the science symposium

at the Governors School @ Innovation Park.

Team America Rocketry Challenge 4

Data:

Rocket Log #1:

By: Sidney Boakye

Date: 04/18/2017
It was 4:46 when I departed to the rocket site and 5:05 pm when I arrived. Most of the rocket
was already constructed using the instructional class Mentorship. During Spring Break I ordered
a few more necessities such as the launch pad, the electronic launcher, and the fireproof wadding.
Once on site I put the fireproof wadding at the top of the rocket motor then put the the egg holder
and parachute inside the upper rocket body tube (over the wadding). I needed a way to keep the
parachute attached to the rocket, to ensure a non-ballistic descent, so I created 4 tape cylinders to
that were meant to catch the sides of the egg contain. Finally, after folding the parachute I started
the FIREFLY altimeter, and placed it in its capsule. Then I put the capsule into the nose cone and
fitted the cone at the top of the rocket.

I was almost ready to fly but the last thing I needed to do was to connect the electric
ignition switch to the rocket motor. This was the most tedious part of the launch yet, once I
noticed it was self imposed it became one of the easiest and most according to plan part. To
connect the rocket motor to the electronic ignition switch I needed to jam FIRSTFIRE JR
ignitors into the motor so that the electric charge from the switch would ignite the solid
propellent in the motor. The igniters MUST make contact for the propellent to catch fire and the
rocket to launch.

Finally, I was ready! I told everyone with me to back away to a safe distance while I
counted down from 10. I plugged in the safety key (which turns off the safety) and counted
down. 3...2...1.click! I prepare myself and wait for launch,... and wait,... and wait,... and wait. I
see smoke come from the bottom of the rocket but the rocket does not launch. After waiting one
minute, for safety, I approach the rocket. I think I know what has gone wrong. I believe that the
wiring was not in-contact with the gunpowder inside of the motor. This would have resulted in
the wire just burning and smoke being produced. Next I used an easier technique to have the wire
make contact with the propellent. I retry the launch with a different motor and it WORKS! A
huge roar comes out of the powerful rocket which could definitely be heard all over the middle
school campus. I am completely shaken up (so it my cameraman unfortunately) so it takes me a
little while to look up. I eventually do, but I soon regret it. I see a white cloud overhead, and
slowly fluttering down are different pieces of my model rocket.

In the end I am able to retrieve my egg-covered altimeter (the egg did not survive), and
learn the maximum high travelled. 81 Feet above the starting position.
Team America Rocketry Challenge 5

Maximum Height of Rocket: 81 Feet

Team America Rocketry Challenge 6

References

Engine Mount. (2007). Instructions for Building Model Rockets:Installing the Engine

Mount

When Building Model Rockets. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz1sRgRFvq8

Motor Mount. (2009). Retrieved July 20, 2009, from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyTu-r4j6wU

Rocketry One. (2008). Rocketry How-to Part 1: How Model Rockets Work.

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYh1pWHoQXE&t=2s

Rocketry Two. (2008). Rocketry How-to Part 2: Components for a Rocket.

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kAkitKKKlA

Rocketry Three. (2008). Rocketry How-to Part 3: Construction Techniques and

Supplies. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxQ7vGgXx5Y

Rocketry Four. (2008). Rocketry How-to Part 4: Finishing the Rocket's Fins.

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS021hCT3LU

Rocketry Challenge. (2015). Team America Rocketry Challenge. Retrieved from

Team America Rocketry Challenge 7

http://rocketcontest.org/

TARC 2016. (2016). TARC 2016 Video. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZZMcnH-WA8&t=7s