01/27 Subscale Launch

Our second launch proved to be a success, as the lessons learned from the first launch prepared us thoroughly for it. We thoroughly prepared our payload prior to the flight, assigned roles, and took precautions of any possible safety issues to ensure a smooth operation. 

The day of the launch dawned with high expectations as we aim to launch our subscale two times, the goal being to thoroughly test our payload and recovery electronics to see whether aerodynamic information was reliably collected and overall just functioned as it should. Everyone met up on site on Snow Ranch at the Lunar Launch and worked together tirelessly to set up the payload and assemble the rocket, weighing the necessary parts, and writing down all necessary data. 

However, we encountered a setback for our first launch as our rocket failed to launch due to a problem with the motor not being assembled correctly. Despite the obvious disappointment the whole team felt, we quickly fixed the problem and tried again. This time, it flew, but something was off with the altitude as it was obviously too low. After clarification, we realized it was an issue with the simulation in which incorrect weights were put in. This was only a small issue however and was deemed a success as a re-simulation proved that the altitude and flight is as should be expected.

Moving on to our second launch, we decided to switch out main and drogue deployment as it was greatly recommended by both NASA and our mentor Mr.Raimondi. We also remeasured everything to make sure everything was as it should be. The process was repeated in which we cleaned the rocket up and reassembled it again, then carried it over to be put onto the launch rail. With thorough preparation, we eagerly awaited as the countdown for our rocket began… 

And our rocket didn’t launch. Confusion ensued. Suddenly, without any warning, our rocket was set off and soared into the sky. We barely got to even time it but it was our most successful launch yet, surpassing simulated altitude and demonstrating our deployment functionality successfully.  Fortunately, the problem was traced back to equipment malfunctions, relieving us from any responsibility. With this successful launch, we celebrated a significant achievement, showcasing our team's unwavering dedication and resilience in the face of challenges.