Test Flight

Another test was performed on 26 November 2008.

The first flight launched an almost perfect profile launching straight up and falling straight down. X and Y axis acceleration values were transmitted through the entire launch and descent and the rocket was recovered safely.

The second launch was unsuccessful. A faulty igniter in one of the motors failed to ignite causing only one motor to burn. The rocket launch upward about 30ft and traveled horizontally about 200ft before crashing to the ground. When the rocket touched down the motor was still burning. The nose cone was not able to deploy because the payload section was lodged in the body tube. The payload section was torn by the battery being force out of the side wall. There was no damage to the electronic chips, but the antenna was damaged at the base. All components are still deemed functionable.

The second launch was programmed to record pressure values to be converted to altitude. Values were reported for the flight and did show a slight decrease in pressure when the rocket was flying horizontally. The transmission was not entirely justifiable because the rocket did not perform as expected.