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.