03/09 Full Scale Launch

On Saturday, March 9th, 2024, the Newark Rocket Project had yet another successful launch, one that propelled the team even closer to our goal of launching alongside NASA in Huntsville, Alabama. For us, the NMHS SLI Team, this was a milestone achievement in our journey.

While previously we had been launching our subscale rocket, this launch was the first to test the full-scale rocket. As expected, that brought on much tension, stress, and excitement. Just the night before, the rocket had been painted a vibrant blue; one to represent both the Newark Memorial High School colors and speckled with stars to represent the sky we send our project up into. Additionally, it attains a height of 6 feet and a diameter of 4 inches. The full-scale rocket utilized a single stage motor and dual-deployment parachute system.

With most members leaving Newark around 8AM, the trip to LUNAR Snow Ranch began. Launch preparation began promptly at 10AM, and luckily the team had a pre-built motor, allowing us to focus resources and effort on more imminent matters.

After assembly, the team conducted 2 separate ground tests for each airframe, testing the electronics and chute deployment of their respected section. After the first successful ground test, the upper airframe was taken for the parachute packing (since it was deployed and undone during the ground test). Meanwhile, the lower airframe ground test also proved successful.

After all preparations and ground tests were met, it was time to launch. Luckily, the rocket went straight up; a perfect flight. The parachutes deployed at the expected times and the rocket's altitude neared 4,500 feet. While this was slightly short from our goal, discrepancies in our design such as added paint weight, texture on our nosecone, and other factors may have led to this.

In all, the launch was a success! To celebrate, the team met up for food on the drive back, and promptly began to modify the FRR reports.