Science

T minus 3 days – We Are (Still) Go for Launch

About an hour ago all our gear was loading onto a huge truck heading for the island of Bornholm by ferry. Launching a smaller rocket like the SMARAGD-1 might not seem to require much but you still end up packing tonnes of gear for the sea operation and to be on the safe side. The […]
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Weather forecast for the launching area. Friday is still GO.

About an hour ago all our gear was loading onto a huge truck heading for the island of Bornholm by ferry. Launching a smaller rocket like the SMARAGD-1 might not seem to require much but you still end up packing tonnes of gear for the sea operation and to be on the safe side.

The actual rocket and sensitive mission control hardware is being transported in smaller trucks by Copenhagen Suborbitals members. We do not dare to let go of the core hardware.

Two-stage rocket rack for transportation. Image: Kristian von BengtsonTwo-stage rocket rack for transportation. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

Some members are leaving tomorrow to handle the gear arriving by truck; the rest of the team arrives Thursday. Thursday will be all about preparing for the launch early Friday morning at sea: Fueling the rocket, mission control setup, camera positioning, electronics and communications check out, stacking the rocket on the launch rail…

But this evening, there are still last minutes updates on the SMARAGD-1 payload section. Sequencers, modems, GPS-systems and cameras are being checked out and tested.

1947 Deidt–Offenhauser

Mauri Rose won the Indianapolis 500 in 1947 and 1948 at the wheel of an Offenhauser-engined Deidt. While Rose's Deidt looks like a traditional Indy roadster — engine up front, rear-biased proportions, and a wide body — it had a secret: front-wheel drive.

Harry Miller built several front-wheel-drive racing cars in the decades prior, and all were successful. But this was different. Unlike Miller's cars, which competed at both Indianapolis and other, smaller tracks, the Deidt was built solely for the Speedway. It was light and fast, and its transmission was engineered by Leo Goosen, Miller's chief technical and drafting genius.

The car was so good that it won again, in 1951, with Bill Holland at the wheel.

SMARAGD-1 nose cone payload testing and packing. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

Please have a look at our SMARAGD presentation video for detailed explanation.

SMARAGD-1 is 587 cm long with a lift-off mass of 161 kg, inkluding 9,4 kg water as ballast in the second stage propellant engine to shorten the burn for safety reasons.

SMARAGD-1 nominal flight events. Data: Thomas Pedersen
Steen Andersen working electronics inside the capsule. Image: Jev OlsenSteen Andersen working electronics inside the capsule. Image: Jev Olsen

Yesterday, I wrote that we had to postpone the Capsule / LES test due to a propellant tank bulk head failure for next launch window Aug 10-12, 2012. However, there is still work to be done on the Capsule so we work that as well during the day, next to preparing for the SMARAGD launch.

The last of the wiring and connections to detonators, uprighting system, parachute deployment is being done and must be tested leading to the actual installation of parachutes and uprighting balloons. However, I do not intend to perform the final installation of all these system until the next launch window is coming up. I do not like the idea of having nitrocelluloses installed for too long, getting moist, and pressure tanks for the uprighting balloons that might leaks for weeks.

LES engine parts and deformed bulkhead during a second 100 bar pressure test. Image: Kristian von BengtsonLES engine parts and deformed common bulkhead during a second 100 bar pressure test. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

T minus 3 days.. Very exciting.

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Kristian von Bengtson