Very, Very Nice.

Beautiful Project.

WOW

Wow, Art, that is one impressive bird, and very well documented. I'll be coming back to study this some more to learn how to do a big project right. I can't wait to see the film.

Doug, Art, that is one well-constructed rocket!

The rocket is outstanding and the documentation is just as good. Thanks for sharing!

I knew you two were up to something, but this exceeds all expectations. I can't wait to see this bird.

Awesome project guys!

After seeing the parts in the back of Art's car at the February launch, I knew we were in for something special - between Art and Dougs skills, there are two of the most experienced large rocket builders in the West. I'm sure it will be a superb rocket and I can't wait to see it fly.

Good luck with this guys. When are you planning on flying it?

Warren

When are you planning on flying it?

Sunday of Oktoberfest, October 5th. Sorry for rubbing it in Warren but its on the web site http://www.odyssey.us.com/Flights/Flightsflight1.html

Actually I'm in the process of updating the web page. Not much change in appearance but a lot easier to maintain. My sister is the web page guru and she is helping me out with some improvements.

Art and I want to cover the outside with a few layers of carbon before painting. So there will be some more pictures under the construction pages. The carbon wasn't necessary for the booster but we were concerned about the payload section landing and damaging the end of the tubing. The payload section and upper recovery section weighs over 50 pounds. We are worried the tubing may crack upon landing.

Doug

The payload section and upper recovery section weighs over 50 pounds.

Well, Doug, stability won't be an issue. Ha! 😉 Whoever reads this... this is what two of our best can do. Beyond impressive, guys. This puppy's gonna rock... et!

Doug,

Have you thought about a layer or two of Kevlar at the ends of the upper airframe? Far more able to take impact than carbon or fiberglass. Of course you have to cover it with at least one or two layers of something that can actually be sanded.

Warren

Have you thought about a layer or two of Kevlar at the ends of the upper airframe?

No, not really. I had the chance to visit the place where Art works and it is really amazing. They have the tools to and material to lay up entire aircraft fuselage in an autoclave and bake at under extreme temperatures and pressure. The specifications they build to make our rocket ventures seem amature. I trust their judgment on what works. Thanks but we'll stick with the pre-preg carbon and bake it in the oven.

Doug

(I'm on travel now so it will be a while before I can post again)

I absolutely agree - what I and other amateur composite folks do pales against properly engineered composites. However, were recovery impacts considered in the layup design? I, for one, because I don't have the engineering expertise necessary to properly design to the actual impacts and loads likely to be encountered tend to overbuild to a fault (why use 2 layers when 8 layers is much more likely to survive?).

It's a very impressive project Doug and I'm sure you guys will have a great flight. I'm looking forward to seeing the flight and even more to seeing the film you get out of it.

Warren

Yes, the lay-up and ply orientation was specifically designed around recovery impact. I cured out 8 different test panels today as part of determining the actual thickness of the various different lay-up schedules as well as the different load capabilities.

When you design your lay-up for the specific loads it will see then you can cut the amount of material down that you will need to use. Two well placed plies can have the same strength as five or six plies that were not thought out. One of the biggest things that composites have going is load distribution. By acknowledging the stresses and forces that will be acting upon any given object then you can use the glass, carbon or Kevlar to distribute loads and provide strength where it is needed all while keeping material to a minimum.

In this case and this lay-up, a pure carbon fiber lay-up will be a better answer to the loads that the airframe will see then Kevlar would be.

Art