| [ Not displaying correctly? View web version. ] | Apogee Rocketry Workshop #270: | |
Did you ever have a through-the-wall fin pop out of its slot after a hard landing? While they are easy to fix on the field with some CyA adhesive (super glue), they are never as strong as the original attachment, and are more prone to popping out on the next landing. This happened to me on my prototype of the new Zephyr rocket, and I got tired of gluing it back into the slot. I decided to fix it permanently. This second video of the three part series shows how to cut out some slots in the tube so that you can get to the engine mount tube where the fin tabs are anchored. This cutting into the tube looks messy, but it is necessary surgery in order to be able to add internal fillets of epoxy. Once the cut outs have been made onto both sides of the tube, you'll see how to add the epoxy into the bowels of the rocket using a wood dowel. Sorry about the messed up videography on this particular video. I discovered during the editing of the video that I lost the source file for the front view. So you'll be looking at my side-profile instead of into my eyes. To make matters worse, it isn't my best side profile either. Ugh... Fortunately, the rocket is gorgeous and very photogenic. In the the final video in two weeks, we'll put the pieces back in place to make the rocket look pretty (except for the visible scar of this surgery). NEW Zephyr Build Videos Added To The Apogee Website! Since the last newsletter, I have added six new build videos that take you through the construction of the fin and engine mount. In these new videos you can see how the actual production version of the Zephyr is different from the rocket seen in this week's fix-it video. What you see in this video is NOT how the final Zephyr rocket is actually constructed. I learned my lesson from having fins pop out of the slot, and I completely redesigned the engine mount to better lock the fins into the rocket. What I came up with was really slick, and creates a rock-solid fin attachment. I probably should have patented it. You can check out the Zephyr and download the instruction sheet (pdf) to see how the fins are really secured in the actual kit version now released. View this week's Rocketry Workshop Video (Duration: 13:20) | | Previous videos are found on our archive page. |
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| Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! | | | The Apogee 98mm Ebay kit provides a stable platform and isolated compartment that you can use to mount your rocket’s electronics. It fits inside standard 4-inch (98mm) diameter paper and blue tubes. What makes this Ebay special is how easy it is to get to the electronics mounted on the inside. There is just one wing nut that you remove, and the sled inside will slide right out. |
| | | Want to protect your expensive parachute from the heat of the motor's ejection charge? Dinochutes has a new line of lower cost cloth parachute protectors. These are available in six different size squares sheets: 3-in, 6-in, 9-in, 12-in, 18-in, and 24-inches. The parachute protectors are constructed of flame retardant fabric with professionally serged edges made of Nomex thread. A button hole is sewn near one of the corners so that you can run your shock cord through it. |
| | | Thinking about getting your Level-1 High Power Certification soon? The Zephyr rocket is Apogee's answer to the question: "What is the best kit to get for a certification flight?" It was designed from the ground up to give the modeler the best chance for a successful cert. flight on the first launch attempt. It is big and beefy, built with thick walled paper tubes and 1/4" thick plywood rings and fins. The rocket comes with an interlocking engine mount system that aligns the through-the-wall fins, and when you add the internal epoxy fillets, it makes the strongest fins you've ever seen in a paper tube kit. It comes with our famous thin-mill nylon cloth parachute, and full-color vinyl decals! |
| | | This 4-inch diameter plastic nose cone has a 5-to-1 ratio ogive shape, making it long and sleak. The exposed length is 19.8 inches long. It fits standard 4" tubes, and has a super-strong loop on the base for attaching parachutes and shock cords. More information available here. |
| | | On February 6, 2018, the SpaceX company thrilled the world with the launch of the first Falcon Heavy rocket into space carrying a Tesla roadster convertable.The Dr. Zooch Falcon Heavy was originally released prior to the first launch of the real rocket on which it is based. It uses standard 24mm diameter tubes for the core and strap on booters, and a 33mm tube for the payload. The rocket uses traditional rocket materials, so if you've built a number of other rocket kits before, this one shouldn't be out of your wheelhouse even though it is classified as a Skill Level 4 challenge rocket. |
| | | Apogee has released new tubes for building your own high-power rockets. The four-inch tube is outstanding for airframes and the new cut-to-length 38 and 54mm tubes can be used to create engine mounts. |
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"When I discovered your newsletter, I binge read almost all of them! They're like fertilizer for my brain. I also love the process of coming up with interesting, elegant, and sometimes whimsical solutions to engineering design challenges. I appreciate your precision and attention to details that matter. It's fun to optimize for performance and aesthetics." — Marten Beels | |
Communication Coordinator - Do you know rockets? We mean, really know them well? And do you know how to connect with people and get them excited about rocketry? This marketing position requires a person that can come up with a lot of strategies and ideas on how to grow a business. Technical writing ability is essential and required as well, as you'd have to produce innovative weekly newsletters and videos for our great customers. Located in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Apogee Components is a fast-paced and innovative rocketry company that is a leader in rocket information and education. We're growing because we strive to have the products customers want, and ship them the same day. You'll enjoy being part of a small but close-knit and friendly team that pushes each other to be their best. If you think this could be you and you want to get into the rocketry industry, contact Tim through our contact form on our website. For additional information, see: https://www.apogeerockets.com/Company/Job_opportunities | |
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I need help with generating the bi-weekly newsletter articles since it takes a lot of effort to put them together. And I'm willing to pay big bucks for your help. So ask yourself, are you looking to earn some extra money? I'm now actively seeking writers for articles to appear in this newsletter. And I want unique and cutting-edge articles because that is what you want to read, right? I realize this, so to get articles from outside writers that have the same level of quality, I'm going to have to pay a lot of cash to make it worth it for them. So I've come up with a compensation package where I'll pay up to $350 for good how-to articles. Are you a writer, and does that interest you? That is a lot of cash! Far more than you'll get by writing for other magazines. And with over 23,000 worldwide subscribers, if you write for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, you'll gain a lot of notoriety. Writing for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is a great way to show off your rocketry projects and your technical expertise, at the same time as helping out other rocketeers. Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that you made a difference to the hobby. If you're interested in writing, see the guidelines on our site. | |
| We're up to something nearly every day of the week on Facebook, and we'd love it if you could join us. Facebook is where you can interact with other Apogee fans. View and comment on our Facebook page!
Here is what we do on our Facebook page: Monday: This Week in Rocketry Tuesday is Rocketry Share - sharing fun and informative space posts from other sites. Wednesday is "Newsletter Day" - We'll announce our newsletter for those who haven't subscribed (unlike you), and we'd love to hear your feedback on the video or newsletter. Join the conversation and share your rocketry knowledge. Thursday is "Humor Day" - We're scouring the web for little cartoons or jokes related to rocketry or the space program. Rocketry is fun and entertaining! Friday is "Feature Friday" - This is the one day where we pick a product and tell a little bit more about it. It may be when we started selling it, or some other little-known fact about the product. Saturday is "Launch Day" - We're out to launch... and we'd love to see a great photo of an Apogee product from one of your personal launches! |
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