Since calculating the center of pressure is a hassle with a calculator,(Even though I programmed mine to automate the process a little.) I wrote a VC++ program that would help out a little. Please try out Rocket Calc, my latest programming endeavor.
**NOTE: Cp Calc has already been taken for a name, so, the new name for this program is Rocket Calc.
See the readme file for more information.
This program uses the Barrowman equations as found in Topics in Advanced Model Rocketry by Mandell, Caporaso and Bengen. If you like mathematics, this book is for you.
Please let me know what you think. I plan on updating a little and adding a graphic view of the Cp.
This is my first scratch-built rocket. It is called 'Paper Tiger', and can be found at NARTS. Try it, it is cheap and flies great. (Put a C6-5 in it. WOW!)
I am currently rebuilding this rocket to include a balsa nose cone and fins. Look for pictures of it soon. I am projecting even more altitude due to the lighter fins and less drag.I have pulled this rocket from retirement and it now will serve as my test vehicle for designs of a 2 staged rocket.
This is my third rocket (Estes Prowler), but is my first kit to put together. I bought it because it was cheap, but it is 40 inches tall. It will take up to a C6-5 but perfect delay is 3 seconds. It attains a maximum altitude of about 350 feet, but looks very majestic and the 2-foot parachute keeps it in flight for quite some time.
This is one of my favorite rockets (Estes Viking). The kit is very inexpensive and easy to build. My only complaint is the streamer is not wide enough. This rocket would probably take a 3 inch streamer and this would prevent broken fins at touchdown. According to wRASP, this rocket should attain 1700 ft with a C6-5. I haven't tried it yet but will when I get the right streamer for it. It does fly great and high even on a A8-3 or a B4-4 though.
...Well, I finally got the correct streamer for the Viking. I tried it with a C6-5 and it had a beautiful flight. Total time in air was 42 seconds. (only 2 seconds of it was in thrust, 5 in coast and 35 seconds of descent with no broken fins. Though, the heat does warp the paint job a little.) Thanks Andy for the streamer tip!!For more information on model rockets, visit the NASA/Houston Rocket Club page.
Click here to see more of my rockets.
Go back to GSD.
Take a look at my projects.
Last update May 15, 2001 at 10:05 PM
This page hase been accessed times.