NB Water Rockets blog

[arjan]

Launched the fiberglass rocket again. This time it didn't go so well, just after burnout the nose cone separated from the rocket and pulled the parachute out of the payload bay. When the parachute opened the shock cord broke and the rocket was doomed to crash.
I can't exactly tell why the nose cone separated, probably the collar was to small and the fit just wasn't tight enough.

read more: http://n-bwaterrockets.blogspot.nl/

[bugwubber]

Launched the fiberglass rocket again. This time it didn't go so well, just after burnout the nose cone separated from the rocket and pulled the parachute out of the payload bay. When the parachute opened the shock cord broke and the rocket was doomed to crash.
I can't exactly tell why the nose cone separated, probably the collar was to small and the fit just wasn't tight enough.

read more: http://n-bwaterrockets.blogspot.nl/

Ouch! Is it a complete loss or just the payload section damaged?

For the couple of parachutes that I've tried out, I added a 1 foot section of of elastic cord from my tent pole repair kit. I've had the parachute pop out immediately after launch (full bore nozzle at that) and didn't even tear the trash bag parachute using that elastic cord.

Bugwubber

[arjan]

Launched the fiberglass rocket again. This time it didn't go so well, just after burnout the nose cone separated from the rocket and pulled the parachute out of the payload bay. When the parachute opened the shock cord broke and the rocket was doomed to crash.
I can't exactly tell why the nose cone separated, probably the collar was to small and the fit just wasn't tight enough.

read more: http://n-bwaterrockets.blogspot.nl/

Ouch! Is it a complete loss or just the payload section damaged?

For the couple of parachutes that I've tried out, I added a 1 foot section of of elastic cord from my tent pole repair kit. I've had the parachute pop out immediately after launch (full bore nozzle at that) and didn't even tear the trash bag parachute using that elastic cord.

Bugwubber

Hi Bugwubber,

It's probably only the payload section that was completely lost, the pressure vessel seems OK but I need to do a hydrostatic test on that.

I'm not sure what kind of elastic cord you mean but I think I used the same cord in this rocket, could be that the elastic cord was just dried out.

[bugwubber]

Launched the fiberglass rocket again. This time it didn't go so well, just after burnout the nose cone separated from the rocket and pulled the parachute out of the payload bay. When the parachute opened the shock cord broke and the rocket was doomed to crash.
I can't exactly tell why the nose cone separated, probably the collar was to small and the fit just wasn't tight enough.

read more: http://n-bwaterrockets.blogspot.nl/

Ouch! Is it a complete loss or just the payload section damaged?

For the couple of parachutes that I've tried out, I added a 1 foot section of of elastic cord from my tent pole repair kit. I've had the parachute pop out immediately after launch (full bore nozzle at that) and didn't even tear the trash bag parachute using that elastic cord.

Bugwubber

Hi Bugwubber,

It's probably only the payload section that was completely lost, the pressure vessel seems OK but I need to do a hydrostatic test on that.

I'm not sure what kind of elastic cord you mean but I think I used the same cord in this rocket, could be that the elastic cord was just dried out.

Something like this...
http://sgtknots.com/tent_pole_replaceme ... Qgod8zMAnQ Might be overkill but it takes a ton of abuse.

[arjan]

Yes , that looks exactly like the stuff I've used.
It was indeed very strong but it has been over 6 months when I last checked the strength. I have some more of this elastic cord, going to do a strength test on it.

[U.S. Water Rockets1]

Yes , that looks exactly like the stuff I've used.
It was indeed very strong but it has been over 6 months when I last checked the strength. I have some more of this elastic cord, going to do a strength test on it.

They sell a similar product at Lowes and they call it "Parachute Cord". You can buy it by the foot by cutting from the roll, or you can also find a small pre packaged length of it on the shelves. It does look like overkill, but it does have a very professional look to it.