Tufts SEDS Rocketry Team
Tufts SEDS Rocketry Team
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ORION - L2 Attempt
ORION - L2 Attempt
I began work on Orion in the fall of 2023. First using the OpenRocket software, I was able to design my fin shape and dimensions, and later simulate velocities and flight profiles. I wanted my L2 Certification rocket to not only fly successfully, but I wanted to come close to the sound barrier as well. This required that I fly on a high-impulse motor, which I ended up choosing as the CTI J595. The construction of Orion was similar to that of Tribute from the previous year, however everything had to be upsized to accommodate a larger motor dimension. Below is my design as viewed in OpenRocket.
By December 2023, my rocket was complete and I brought it to St. Albans VT to launch for the first time. After completing the preliminary L2 Safety Exam (with perfect marks), I put Orion on the launch pad. The countdown began and I watched as a bright flame emerged from the tail with a thunderous sound...
By December 2023, my rocket was complete and I brought it to St. Albans VT to launch for the first time. After completing the preliminary L2 Safety Exam (with perfect marks), I put Orion on the launch pad. The countdown began and I watched as a bright flame emerged from the tail with a thunderous sound...
...The flight ended in mere seconds. Less than a hundred feet off the ground, the reaction stopped and I spotted the propellant exiting out the back of the rocket. As apogee was quickly reached, the parachute popped out and the rocket landed softly onto the ground. The rocket was undamaged but the flight was a complete failure. Upon returning from the launch site, I removed the motor casing for inspection.
...The flight ended in mere seconds. Less than a hundred feet off the ground, the reaction stopped and I spotted the propellant exiting out the back of the rocket. As apogee was quickly reached, the parachute popped out and the rocket landed softly onto the ground. The rocket was undamaged but the flight was a complete failure. Upon returning from the launch site, I removed the motor casing for inspection.
It appeared that there had been some sort of issue with the O-ring in the back of the motor and the grains had been knocked out of the casing before igniting. The soot in the casing threads confirmed our theory. Some hobbyists were saying that a certain batch of the J595 had issues with the O-ring, so in preparation for my next launch, I swapped out the O-ring in my new J595 motor. In the spring I had the chance to launch again in St. Albans, so I brought Orion to the launch site with a brand new J595 and a fresh O-ring.
It appeared that there had been some sort of issue with the O-ring in the back of the motor and the grains had been knocked out of the casing before igniting. The soot in the casing threads confirmed our theory. Some hobbyists were saying that a certain batch of the J595 had issues with the O-ring, so in preparation for my next launch, I swapped out the O-ring in my new J595 motor. In the spring I had the chance to launch again in St. Albans, so I brought Orion to the launch site with a brand new J595 and a fresh O-ring.
The launch was a disaster. On the launch pad, there was a loud sound and the blue tube airframe was ripped apart. Orion was gone. Later analysis of the motor casing told us that the motor had completely failed and taken my beloved L2 along with it. Later on I learned of a J595 recall by Cessaroni, due to the catastorphic failures I had experienced. I was frustrated but was not ready to give up. I began work on my next L2 rocket attempt a few days later.
The launch was a disaster. On the launch pad, there was a loud sound and the blue tube airframe was ripped apart. Orion was gone. Later analysis of the motor casing told us that the motor had completely failed and taken my beloved L2 along with it. Later on I learned of a J595 recall by Cessaroni, due to the catastorphic failures I had experienced. I was frustrated but was not ready to give up. I began work on my next L2 rocket attempt a few days later.
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