Category: Podcast Programs

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-60.mp3

Welcome to Episode 60!

We’ll catch you up on what we’ve been up to since the last episode, and we’ll delve into a question sent from one of our listeners.

Also...Gheem Goes Wild!  A funny moment  between the Rocketry Show hosts that we will share with you.

We’d like to point out that we were having a problem with our main computer during the recording of the program, so we apologize if the audio is a little glitchy.

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-59.mp3

We’re going to re-visit things in the land "down undah", mates! We’ll be joined by Blake Nicolic of Australia's Thunda Down Under, and he’s going to give a preview of next year’s huge event.

We then revisit one of the highlights from the first Thunda gathering and bring back an interview with Nat Callea on the V2 rocket built by Victoria Rocketry which holds the current world record for the largest hobby rocket.

If that isn’t enough, We’ll then interview Nat, and Steve Eves, the previous record holder with his 1:10 scale Saturn V Rocket that he successfully flew at MDRA several years ago.

We also introduce the next winner for the Make: High Power Rockets by Mike Westerfield, and announce the next trivia question!

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-58.mp3

The gang couldn't resist reviewing and discussing the biggest news since the last show: The Falcon heavy launch!

The immersive audio of the launch we used comes from Destin Sandlin of SmarterEveryDay.Com

We also talk about New Zealand's Rocket Labs launch.

We answer your e-mails, and comments on some of the Estes speculation heard on Episode 57.

Here is a link to the Chris Pearson article we mentioned on the state of the hobby industry.

...And we announce another winner for the Make High Power Rockets book!

 

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-57.mp3

Charlie Savoie joins us to discus what they’ve been up to at Aerotech, and answers some questions from our Patrons.

Gheem shares with us a piece he has been working on…it’s a little story that shares some insights on being a TARC team coach!

One of Gheem’s TARC members also flew a level 1 certification…seen here with our buddy, Andrew.

Gheem’s TARC team (US Rocketry) prep their rocket.

 

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-56.mp3

Mike Westerfield joins us to talk about his newest book, Make: High Power Rockets!

From the preface of his book:

My first book, 'Make: Rockets,' covered basic rocket science, including construction, aerodynamics, simulation, tracking, and electrical engineering. The rockets in that book are made from thin, lightweight materials that are extremely safe. Some projects work well

Mike Westerfield

 

with young children, while others will challenge a college engineering student.

High-power rocketry is different, though. While there is a junior-level certification (covered in 'NAR junior certification'), high-power rocketry is otherwise restricted to people over 18. High-power rockets can easily break the sound barrier, shooting miles into the sky. The rockets themselves are not the small, collapsible paper rockets flown in schools and scouting—they are often metal-tipped, fiberglass missiles that weigh tens or even hundreds of pounds. FAA clearances and certifications are required.

After the show, Daniel the Rocket n00b will announce the contest to give away some copies of this new book to a few lucky listeners!

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-55.mp3

The team goes on the road, and set up at their club Christmas party and record a show.  

Lots of rocket stories are shared.  Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-54add.mp3

Chris Pearson called to make a correction to some of the distance information we shared in the initial (free) version of Episode 54.

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-54f.mp3

CG follows up on the previous episode, adding some important notes about Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Batteries.

We invite Chris Pearson, Prefect for Northern Ohio Tripoli to the show to talk about what it takes and things to think about to file an FAA Waiver for high power rocketry launches.  He also talks about things to think about when doing so.

For the Patrons of our show, we will post (shortly) a much longer version of this show, where Chris Pearson fills in much of the history behind this process!

FAA information mentioned in this episode can be found here:

https://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/filing-for-faa-launch-authorization/filing-for-faa-waiver/

http://www.nar.org/find-a-local-club/section-guidebook/laws-regulations/

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/sub_orbital_rockets/

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-53.mp3

We're back for Episode 1 of Season 4 of the Rocketry Show!

This is a show packed with lots of information for you!   Daniel, The Rocket n00b starts with a discussion on a technique he mastered for making curled balsa and Basswood rocket fins straight again!

CG chimes in during the second half to give a basic beginner's primer on Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries for powering your electronic systems on board your next rocket project!

References for you to follow up on what CG was talking about:

Since the show was running a bit long, and there were details CG didn't get to cover, he has provided some quick, but important notes here:

What does the Battery “C Rating” mean?

The C rating of a Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery (or cell) is used as a guide to show what kind of continuous current draw, in amps,  the cell in question will support.

By multiplying the C rating times the cell capacity in milliamperehours (mAh), the continuous current in milliamperes (mA) of a cell can be calculated.

In my case, the batteries I use for Nesaru are rated as 180 mAh, 25-40C.  I’ll use the lower “C” number, as I’m pretty sure the 40C is “peak” capacity – more on that in a moment.

The Turnigy LiPo battery CG uses for his rocket, Nesaru.

For this battery, the safe continuous current draw value is found by multiplying 180 (mAh) x 25 (C), which gives you 4500 mA, or 4.5 Amps.

Now, for the "Peak value".

This is the amount of current the battery can safely deliver for very short periods of time.   In this case, the battery says its peak value is 40C.  Using the same math above, we get a peak current rating of 7200 Ma, or 7.2 Amps.

Note on Charger setting:

The battery in my example is rated for 8C max charge rate.   Doing the math (180 x 8), the safe charge rate for my battery is about 1.44 Amps.

As for the charger settings for this battery, I should stay below the 1.44 Amp charge value to stay safe.   Not pushing the battery to its limits in the charger means the cells will stand a much lesser chance of becoming unbalanced (in multi-cell batteries).  So, I typically charge this battery at a 0.5 Amps on the charger.

Why?  Because unbalanced battery cells = a really bad day in the field – if you’re lucky!

Links I found for further reading on the topic, and packed with many of the tips I gave, plus much more:

The Lithium Polymer Safety Guide

The Drone Girl blog

That swollen cell phone LiPo battery CG talked about during the show!

liPo cell phone battery gone bad!

The swelling is apparent, and even though the battery has a big "Li-Ion" stamp on the lower right corner, the fine print on top says what CG figured out when the swelling pushed his old cell phone apart...

The Rocketry Show Podcast https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/therocketryshow/TRS-39.mp3

John Boren from Estes Rockets joins us, and talks rocket kits with us. Get a sneak peak into what goes behind a new Estes Rocket design, and the criteria behind why some designs happen! Also, We answer a very interesting question from one of our listeners!