![Picture](/uploads/3/1/0/8/31086201/1403001217.jpg)
By William Tennison 9L7SCS
For the last few months myself (William Tennison) along with Jack Long, Luke Brace, Harry Burton, Tommy Wade and Doctor Nicolson have been working together to build a rocket for the “The United Kingdom Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge.”
This is one of the hardest challenges any of the team has ever had to face. The challenge was set as each team will have to achieve a target altitude of 825 feet with their rocket and a total flight duration of between 48 and 50 seconds. The payload is two raw medium sized hen’s eggs. The entire rocket must return to the ground safely using two parachutes of the same size. Furthermore, the rocket can’t weigh anymore then 650grams.
Despite the fact that Passmores Rocket Club had to forfeit due to certain circumstances I stand by the fact it was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Problem after problem we faced and overcame as a team and come the day of qualification, everything was on track to be a success. Of course it was never going to be an easy task.
It was our chance to launch the rocket and I was giving the task of pressing the launch switch. I flicked the switch and down came flames, smoke and a huge amount of noise however the liftoff never
occurred.
Our engine misfired and burnt the base of our rocket. The explosion also split our bulkheads, three discs of balsa wood that formed a tight fitting circle around our engine tubes to secure it in place, it would
seem to be a failure from team Passmores.
The sight of an angel was in the form of one of the organisers running up the field to tell us we could have a second turn as an engine misfire was a manufacturing fault of the rocket motor, but unfortunately the
damage sustained to our rocket could not be fixed and we forfeited our second turn. We left with heavy hearts but within half an hour we had full stomachs (after a trip to a popular fast food restaurant as a commiseration meal!).
The 6 month challenge was both rewarding and frustrating all at once. I have only been able to give you a brief report of rocket club in this section but be aware it consumes your life... entirely! I don’t think I’ve ever had such fun.
For the last few months myself (William Tennison) along with Jack Long, Luke Brace, Harry Burton, Tommy Wade and Doctor Nicolson have been working together to build a rocket for the “The United Kingdom Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge.”
This is one of the hardest challenges any of the team has ever had to face. The challenge was set as each team will have to achieve a target altitude of 825 feet with their rocket and a total flight duration of between 48 and 50 seconds. The payload is two raw medium sized hen’s eggs. The entire rocket must return to the ground safely using two parachutes of the same size. Furthermore, the rocket can’t weigh anymore then 650grams.
Despite the fact that Passmores Rocket Club had to forfeit due to certain circumstances I stand by the fact it was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Problem after problem we faced and overcame as a team and come the day of qualification, everything was on track to be a success. Of course it was never going to be an easy task.
It was our chance to launch the rocket and I was giving the task of pressing the launch switch. I flicked the switch and down came flames, smoke and a huge amount of noise however the liftoff never
occurred.
Our engine misfired and burnt the base of our rocket. The explosion also split our bulkheads, three discs of balsa wood that formed a tight fitting circle around our engine tubes to secure it in place, it would
seem to be a failure from team Passmores.
The sight of an angel was in the form of one of the organisers running up the field to tell us we could have a second turn as an engine misfire was a manufacturing fault of the rocket motor, but unfortunately the
damage sustained to our rocket could not be fixed and we forfeited our second turn. We left with heavy hearts but within half an hour we had full stomachs (after a trip to a popular fast food restaurant as a commiseration meal!).
The 6 month challenge was both rewarding and frustrating all at once. I have only been able to give you a brief report of rocket club in this section but be aware it consumes your life... entirely! I don’t think I’ve ever had such fun.