Project Overview:

The Nike-Smoke (Mark XI) functions as an avionics test bed and can use either dual or single stage deployment controlled by avionics and/or a motor based ejection charge.  The nose cone and main airframe is made of G10 fiberglass while the fin can is carbonfiber. 

Documentation Table of Contents:

Design
Construction
Operations
Flight Log

Design:
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I began design work on the 5.38" Nike-Smoke after I won the airframe components (5.38" carbonfiber Nike-Smoke fin can, 5.38" fiberglass body tube, and 5.38" Nike-Smoke fiberglass nosecone) on Rocketry Online from Curtis Turner of Performance Rocketry.  Originally, the fin can was supposed to have a minor blemish, but after a minor delay in shipping, Curtis sent me an unblemished fin can.  For that I am very grateful.  Thanks to this experience, I am absolutely convinced that Performance Rocketry provides some of the best customer service around, even if getting the order shipped takes longer than most other suppliers.

The Nike-Smoke design contains a 54mm x 18" motor mount and is designed to use dual deployment.  It is also possible to fly the rocket as a single or motor deployment rocket if so desired.  This will also reduce weight of the rocket and increase performance.  Redundant altimeters are used to control electronic single-stage or dual-stage recovery deployment.  The primary altimeter is a GWiz Partners MC2.0 Flight computer and the back-up unit is a PerfectFlite miniAlt/WD.  Both deployment controllers are wired to the same ejection charges, but each unit has its own electric matches.  The single drogue parachute is a self constructed 18" square 1.3 oz. rip-stop nylon parachute and the two main parachutes are each a 66" rip-stop nylon military style parachute with a 3" spill hole and fiberglass shroud lines.

Below is the mechanical drawing for the Nike Smoke:

Construction:
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The first step in construction of the Rocket was to cut the body tubes, coupler, and motor mount to their respective lengths.  The 48" Tube was cut to result in 4 pieces with lengths of 1" 15.5", 15.5", and finally 16"  The 16" piece was saved and will possibly be used in a later project.  A standard LOC 5.38" coupler was used and was shortened from 11" to 10.25."  The motor mount tube was cut down to 18."

After the tubes were cut, it was time to cut the centering rings and bulkhead plates.  This presented a challenge because the internal dimensions of the fincan were not uniform.  An adjustable circle cutter was first used to cut the bulkhead plates and the centering rings.  Then, a 2" circle cutter was used to cut the motor mount hole.  Finally, a Dremel tool with the sanding attachment was used to sand the centering rings down to size and test fitted into the fincan. 

After the dry fit of the centering rings in the fin can, the I drilled two 1/4" holes 180º apart  into the top centering ring.  I then inserted two eyebolts with nuts on both sides.  Later epoxy was used to keep the nuts from being able to turn.  After the top centering ring was dry, the bottom centering ring was secured flush to the base of the 54mm motor mount tube using 15 minute LOC/Precision shop epoxy.  After this was dry, I put the top centering ring on the motor mount tube again and wrapped a few wraps of masking tape below the ring.  I then removed the centering ring and tacked the base centering ring in place using 5 minute epoxy.  To ensure the ring dried at the right angle, I replaced the top centering ring until the epoxy had dried.  I then removed the ring and poured a cup of epoxy thickened with milled fiberglass into the fin can to help seal the wood and to help it adhere to the interior roughness of the fincan.  Immediately after this, I glued the top centering ring in place using 15 minute epoxy.  I then created a seal with 5 minute epoxy and repeated what I had previously done with a cup of thickened epoxy.

Unfortunately, the eye bolts were too close to the edge of the airframe, so I had to permanently attach the Quick Links to them.  More construction information will appear if I recall how and what order I did it in.  Sorry... no pictures as the camera memory card with them on it was corrupted before I could download them.

Flight Log:
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May 2006:  AT J570W to 1,808 feet.