USE IT.
NOW GIVE IT
A SHOT
LAUNCH SEQUENCE
If you are using a smaller engine, you may want
to do a final weigh-in before going ahead with
a launch. With everything installed, verify that the
total weight is within the capability of the rocket motor. If so, follow the rocket kit’s launch instructions.
Here’s the basic sequence:
1. Check to make sure that the nose fits securely,
but not too tightly. Then tie up the parachute, engine, and wadding.
2. Set up the launch pad per instructions. Make
sure the field you are launching in is large enough;
otherwise you’ll lose your precious payload. For a
rocket powered by a D-sized engine, the field should
be at least 500 feet in diameter.
3. Ensure that the rocket launcher is not armed
(usually this means the key is removed) and then
set up the rocket on the pad.
4. Turn on the camera and press the record button.
The red record light, just under the lens, should
come on.
5. Close the hatch and tape it closed. Although not
typically rated for space-faring use, ordinary masking tape works fine.
6. Start the countdown and launch.
7. Recover the rocket. Open the hatch and press
the Record button to stop recording. The recording
light should turn off. Then turn the camera off by
pressing the On/Off switch. If you forget to turn the
camera off, it will switch off automatically after a few
minutes of non-use. Do not turn the camera off by
removing the battery.
8. Back at your computer, hook up the USB cable,
download the video, and enjoy.
WATCH IT
Watch a high-flying video captured by John
Maushammer’s Rocket-Launched Camcorder at
makezine.com/07/camerarocket.
UPGRADES
Downward View During Descent
If you installed the downward-facing mirror, you’ll
get a whole new view of the launch. One drawback,
though, is that the descent will typically have views
of the parachute and sky. You can change this by
attaching the parachute to the tip of the nosecone
instead of the base. Add a small eyehook to the
nosecone’s tip, and run the parachute cord along
the side of the nose and into the body.
Improved Resolution
The CVS camera (which is manufactured by Pure
Digital, along with the Rite Aid and Target cameras)
actually has a 640x480 sensor. But in order to
extend recording time, it is configured to record at
only one quarter of this resolution. Recording time
isn’t a problem for rocket flights that last only a few
seconds, so you can set the camera to record at the
full resolution. You can do this by uploading a modified
version of the binary file USP. BIN into the P3 directory
of the camera. See Resources, below.
RESOURCES
Estes Engine Chart
makezine.com/go/estes
Determining Center of Pressure
makezine.com/go/cop
Downloader software
makezine.com/go/software
Improving image resolution
makezine.com/go/resolution
