SRT Journal Term 3 4

Rockets
SEPTEMBER 1
Today I am measuring the diameter and circumference of the cardboard tube, so
I can design a cone piece thatll fit on top. The finalized cone will be 3D printed
once ready. I still want the rocket to be aerodynamic, and I am yet to research
the specs that will ensure this.

SEPTEMBER 13
I am designing the cone piece currently. I found a website sciencelearn.org.nz
which helped me find the centre of pressure. The narrower, the better. But I must
not make my rocket too fast, because if its twice as fast, its four times the drag.

SEPTEMBER 15
I am making adjustments to my rocket, making it narrower. I accidentally made
the radius 35mm and the cross that will be tied to the parachute wouldnt fit. So
I made the radius 17.5mm, ensuring that the diameter was 35mm. The nose
cone looks a lot better now that its narrower. It will make the rocket more
aerodynamic, and I am trying to design a curved and rounded cone. Parabolic
noses reduce drag tremendously, according to aerospaceweb.org.

OCTOBER 6
While parabolic noses reduce drag to a maximum level, I cant find out how to
make one in Sketch Up. I will just use a sharp cone and sand-paper it off for the
safety of the people below (in case the parachute fails and the rocket starts
plummeting back to Earth at terminal velocity). Next I have to start designing my
fins on paper: choosing which shape, choosing to either have 3 or 4 fins, and
measuring the fins in accordance to the fuselage (my cylinder). I have decided to
try and recreate the delta wings of the Concorde and use them as fins. The
easiest fins to launch from are delta wings (triangular non-tailed wings that Mr.
Riley recommended, hence the name, ). The Concorde used ogival delta
wings (delta wings with a slight curve). If ogival nose cones reduce drag, then
ogival fins should also. Isnt logic the best? I have decided to use 3 fins, as there
is less to manufacture, less things that could fail, less weight, and according to
modellingrockets.8m.com it reduces drag. What my nose cone cant do, my fins
make up for it by reducing drag in two ways! From this point on, I pronounce
the

CONCORDE 2.0

OCTOBER 11
Today I am drawing and measuring the fins on paper, and made a mark of how
tall the fins should be. The most common choice is 10cm, but I am instead going
12cm in. I feel this is better because it will have a greater impact on drag
reduction.

OCTOBER 18
I have decided that an ogival fin would be too inaccurate to cut out 3 exact
copies. And I cant just have 2 fins. I will make a thin, streamline, delta wing for
my fins. Today I hope I can cut out my balsa wood. But Im still calling it the
Concorde. I am 1 lesson behind everyone, so I have to act quickly to catch up.

OCTOBER 20
Last lesson, I accidentally cut the fins
2cm short, standing at 10cm instead of
12. Today Im going to try and cut them
out again, if I get the chance. Im still
waiting on my nose cone to be 3-D
printed, but in the mean while its just
cutting and gluing the fin. Soon Ill start
designing my parachute. To the right is
the same model as our 3D Printer, a
MakerBot Replicator.

OCTOBER 27
Last lesson, I finished gluing on the fins to my rocket, and Im STILL waiting for
my nose cone to be printed. I was going to start designing my parachute today,
but I need to get ahead with my website.

NOVEMBER 17
I have finished my parachute, and have also drilled an eyelet into the bottom of
my nose cone. Today I will be securing the engine into my fuselage and attaching
the elastic cord to my parachute.