XRV Progress Report - April 3, 1999

TRA #6539 L2

Introduction
Overview
Development
Propulsion
Airframe
Avionics
Flights
Good People
Rocket Links

Author:
Steve Baughman

Web Updated Apr 13
© 1999
All Rights Reserved.

PARADISE 2 LAUNCH - XRV MK V UPGRADES - WEB UPDATES

Austin, TX - This is the first of what is intended to be a regular series of online updates designed to help keep viewers informed of XRV program development and thus perpetuate the vicarious experiences we provide to the viewing public.

PARADISE 2 LAUNCH

The XRV Mk IV

Fiber optic service pole gets a new life, courtesy of builder Larry Lyssy.
Photos by the author

Though it was only the first widely publicized event at this site, the Paradise 2 rocket launch hosted in Eden, Texas by the Tripoli Hill Country organization turned out to be quite a success. Held on Febrary 27-28 1999 on 1600 acres of west Texas ranch land, the organizers secured a 7,500 feet FAA waiver with windows to 15,000 feet. Scores of flyers arrived from all over Texas, and with the leaders of no less than four Tripoli prefectures present, the event provided an unprecedented opportunity for exchange of technical information, certification testing, and downright serious burning of propellant. Thanks to the on-site presence of motor vendors Trailing Edge Technologies and Ellis Mountain, the event was pumped with an ample supply of propellant and support items. The weather was cooperative for the most part, though higher winds on Sunday prompted more flyers to keep their rockets close to home.

XRV Mk IV repair

The Mk IV landed on rocks on flight 19 and required a fiberglass repair.
Photo by the author

Saturday was declared 'Blue Thunder Saturday' by the XRV flight team (me, myself and I), so we proceeded to hold a clinic on successful dual deployment with flights 18, 19, and 20 on a J460T, J800T, and K1100T respectively. All flights were nominal, however flight 19 involved some sphincter gnashing as the rocket drifted down very close to a large water tank. Though the XRV managed to miss the water, a large patch of boulders at the landing site held a clinic for our benefit on the effects of solid rock on solid fiberglass. The booster section was mildly damaged though still structurally sound, so it was decided to continue flying. Flight 20 was a real milestone effort, as it used the largest motor that could fit in the Mk IV, the Aerotech K1100T. Known for almost 350 lbs. of liftoff thrust, it was expected that the K1100T would really take the 12.75 lb. XRV Mk IV for a ride. Needless to say the crowd was not disappointed. The Mk IV roared away on liftoff and hit 415 mph in 1.6 seconds, after which it continued to coast upwards for an additional 15.5 seconds. Max acceleration was 16.27 g's, max altitude was 5238 ft, and recovery was nominal. On Sunday, the XRV made only one flight due to our responsibilities that day as launch control officer and due to slightly higher winds. Flight 21 was made on a J415W and was recovered within 50 yards of the pads.
Telemetry: Flight 18 Flight 19 Flight 20 Flight 21

eMpirical

Marlin Philyaw's (right) "eMpirical" rocket burned an Ellis Mountain M1000 for level 3 certification.
Photo by the author

There were many other flyers showing off their talents. A real highlight of the weekend was Marlin Philyaw's level 3 certification flight on a scratch built rocket named 'eMpirical'. Built to fly on an Ellis Mountain 3" M1000 motor, the rocket was a beautiful sight to behold as displayed for passersby over the weekend. Marlin's flight suffered a main parachute deployment at apogee but was recovered intact, if not nearby. Congratulations Marlin! Other notable flights included an interesting occurance with Jay Townsend's PML Endeavor, as it seems his rocket was loaded on the pad with a standoff ring screwed onto the launch rod near the top. The J350W motor ensured that the rocket flew, but both of the the aluminum launch lugs sheared away from the airframe and embedded into one another at the standoff. Jay caught a lot of ribbing from all around, but he returned the next day with the Endeavor fully repaired and ready for more action, a very impressive feat.

The Legend Of Launch Lugs Townsend

Jay Townsend received plenty of good-natured ribbing after stripping his launch lugs by mistake.
Photos by the author

Alan Davis gave us all cause to to reflect on his finer qualities for a couple of hours as we became concerned for his well-being long after he left to retrieve his J800T powered PML Tethys. Thankfully, Alan eventually returned and coined his now famous phrase "if you're not walking, you're not flying". The Tethys was recovered later that day intact. Other flyers included Tom Montemayor, who demonstrated his multi-stage mastery with a nice two-stage flight, and many other flyers who had very successful and impressive flights. Unfortuately, there were some rather large rockets for which Paradise 2 would be the final event, due to recovery failure or motor failure. It's probably best to avoid specifics, but one can confidently say that there is at least one more crater on the west Texas plains since Pardise 2.

UPDATE: See our new and complete Paradise 2 launch report published on Rocketry Online.

MK V UPGRADES

The XRV Mk V under construction

The new Mk V booster section parts are shown with the Mk IV, and ready for fiberglassing.
Photos by the author

What happens when your rocket runs out of space for bigger motors? The answer is obvious: you build a new booster section with a bigger motor mount. With this rationale in mind, modifications are in progress which will upgrade the XRV Mk IV to a new Mk V configuration. The most significant of these is a 75 mm diameter motor mount to handle motors up to 29 inches in length. This will increase power capacity from 1706 Ns in the Mk IV, to a new maximum of 5120 Ns in the Mk V. Anything larger requires level 3 certification, so we'll wait to address that goal in a future project.

To assist in recovery from much higher anticipated altitides, the Mk V nosecone has been modified through the introduction of a radio homing beacon with a 15-30 mile air range. Additionally, avionics modifications are underway which will extend the high resolution recording time of the flight recorder from the existing 20 second maximum used in the Mk IV. It is anticipated that the debut of the XRV Mk V will occur in conjunction with the Paradise 3 launch scheduled for mid May 1999.

WEB UPDATES
In the name of good clean fun, the XRV Rocket Chronicles web site was replaced on April 1, 1999 with an official looking letter from a notorious investigative federal agency, stating that XRV avionics were alleged to have been used in connection with the downing of an Air Force F117-A during the conflict in the Balkans. The letter requested information from anyone with knowledge of XRV activities, or of the author's involvement. Though intended mainly for the amusement of the XRV Rocket Chronicles publication staff, a usenet posting to the rec.models.rockets newsgroup with a subject line of "FBI seeks info on rocketeer" ensured that at others were able to join in the fun. We received 271 hits that day from innocent web surfers who were subjected to our April Fools hoax.

Additionally, you may be glad to know that the propulsion section has been added to our web content, and we are currently working on the remaining sections. Thanks for your patience and always remember to keep the pointy end up!