Rockets


Here is some of the original High Power Rockets I built back in 1990. The one on the left is a 5.25" Diameter Jupiter C. It is the oldest High Power rocket I have and still flys today.	Here is the original Jupiter C's Big brother, an 8" diameter version back in 1991. This Rocket made it into Tripoli Rocketry Magazine in 1991 at LDRS 10.

The 23' tall rocket named "Vega" on the left was the worlds tallest amateur rocket back in 1991. This 8" diameter behemoth flew on 3 K size solid rocket motors.	Here is Down Right Ignorant, the rocket that surpassed Vega for the amateur record of largest rocket.

Here is two of my friends back in FL in 1990 that built this amazing Mars Lander.	Here is the picture perfect launch. Unfortunately, this is the last time the lander was seen intact. It crashed shortly after this due to parachute failure.

Here is the original Jupiter C in 2000 at a ERAU Club Launch.	Here's the Jupiter C launching on an I-211 motor.

Here is the Jupiter C going out of sight!	Here is the Jupiter coming back to earth under its 6' dia chute.

While attending college in Prescott, AZ I created a High Power Rocketry Club at ERAU. Here is ground zero for one of our annual launches.	This is me with the ILS Express, an 8" diameter rocket I constructed to demo large HPR to club members and other school classmates.

Here is the preparation of the ILS express for launch. This consists of parachute packing, ejection charge installation, timer and altimeter setup, and motor installation.	I am getting some help from some fellow club members to erect the rocket into launching position.

With a few minor adjustments, the rocket is pointed away from the crowd.	This is Jeremy, Schubert, and Robert next to the ILS just prior to launch.

One last picture before I arm the altimeters.	Arming the altimeters.

K550 Ignition	We have lift off!

Up, Up, And Away!	Ejection charge detonation at 1100 feet and parachute deployment.

Parachutes full open but a little wrapped up around each other.	Booster section 20 feet to touch down.

Rocket parts of some of the club rockets.	Getting the rockets to the show.

Here is Robert and Bill with the newly reconstructed ILS Express Sporting a patriotic Red,White, and Blue paint job for the 2000 Admitted Student Preview Day launch at ERAU.	Here's the ILS set up to go. Unfortunately, this was the last time it was intact.

Here's the aftermath of a late ejection charge. The rocket made it up to about 400 feet, arced over, and impacted the ground with a loud thud.	Here's one of the other club member's rockets.

Heres a rocket built by Chris Valade for Hybrid rocket motors.	Here's my idea of shock absorbers for large rockets that tend to crush themselves when they land under parachutes.

Robert at the Turkey Shoot located in Nevada, Nov 2000	And here is what I am working on now- professionally.

Here is integrated Flight Test 6 launching from the Kwajelein Atoll in the Pacific 2000 miles West of Hawaii.	Here is IFT-8 launching for a successful kill of a ballistic missile reentry vehicle.

In 1991 my rockets were published in Tripoli's High Power Rocketry Magazine for launching Vega. Here is a link to the scanned artice. I apologize for the resolution!