Another Look at Destroyerator's Parachute

 

This dimension is about 9 feet across

This dimension is about 10 feet

Destroyerator's Parachute and Deployment Bag

I received the TAC-9C parachute and deployment bag from Giant Leap Rocketry today. This will be the main parachute for the sustainer (the upper stage) of Destroyerator. I can't really tell how big it will be fully inflated but it's rated for 70 pounds descent weight and appears that it will be 15-18 feet across. The other parachute and bag in the pictures is from Positive Ascent, which is 7-8 feet across when inflated. This will likely be used as Destroyerator's booster parachute.

My Next Big Project - Any Name Ideas for this One?

After not really doing much with rocketry since it isn't the season for flying, I finally took some time and designed my next rocket. It will be a 2 stage rocket, but much much larger than the 4 inch diameter one I designed a while back and never built.

This rocket will be very large, even dwarfing Positive Ascent (my 30 pound level 3 rocket). The specifications of the rocket are in the screen shots below from Rocksim V9.0 but here is a summary:

Sustainer:
Length: 155 inches (12.9 feet)
Diameter: 7.5 inches
Motor Mount: (98mm, L to N motors)
Unloaded Weight (approximate): 56.5 pounds

Booster:
Length (exposed): 71.5 inches (5.96 feet)
Diameter: 7.5 inches
Motor Mount: (98mm, M and N motors) 
Unloaded Weight (approximate):  32.9 pounds

2 Stage Configuration Specifications (Sustainer + Booster):
Length: 226.5 inches (18.875 feet)
Diameter: 7.5 inches
Unloaded Weight (approximate): 89.4 pounds
Ready to Fly Weight: 110 to 150 pounds

It is obvious that this is a very large and complex project, especially since I have never staged composite rocket motors. Part of my plan of attack is to use redundant electronics and separation charges everywhere. This means 2 timers and 2 altimeters in the booster, and 2 timers and 2 altimeters in the sustainer. The sustainer's motor will also have redundant igniters to make sure it lights.

It is also very important for me to make sure everything is worked out in my head and on paper and Rocksim before I build anything to make sure the design will work. It is particularly important for the inter-stage section of the rocket, as this is where I am most unfamiliar.

Another important aspect of this project for me is to not get overwhelmed and take it one step at a time. I expect this project to take anywhere from 3 to 5 times as long to complete as Positive Ascent. That means 300 to 500 hours or so. But the build is very much part of the fun of this project.

So far, the parachute and deployment bag are on order from Giant Leap Rocketry. Other than that, I will be ordering parts to start building the 2 motor mount/fincan assemblies and inter-stage section.

Here's what the rocket looks like so far in Rocksim:

 Single Stage

 Single Stage Specifications

2 Stage

2 Stage Specifications