Number four seems to have done the job for SpaceX as their fourth Falcon 1 launch attempt was a success and became the first privately developed space launch vehicle to reach orbit. The data showed they achieved a super precise
Tablet Press
Here’s an animated diagram of how a tablet press works, taken from Wikipedia. It was seeing this animation recently that got me thinking “This would be a great way to make standardized cermet pellets for engine testing”.
Pressure Transducers and Data Systems
In catching up on my reading of the Armadillo Aerospace blog, I noticed a point about their new pressure transducer. It allows them to get data in a simple and reliable way. It might be a good idea to take
General Meeting #330
Attending: Dave Weinshenker, Dan Solvin, Gerald Nordley, Julie Porter, and Stellan Lagerstrom. Call to order: Dave W called the meeting to order at 20:05
Falcon 1 is 0 for 3
SpaceX launched their third Falcon 1 rocket from Kwajalein Island over the weekend. Hoping to build on their two previous test flights, they carried customer payloads this time … but a longer thrust decay transient of our new Merlin 1C
DC-X Reunion
I only just ran across this, but the New Mexico Museum of Space History is sponsoring a DC-X 15th Anniversary Aug 17-19. As one of the folks who was there for the first Official Flight (or first “reflight”
Rocket Racing Demo Flight
Here’s video of the Rocket Racing League demo flight at AirVenture 08 (the Oshkosh, WI Experimental Aviation Association annual gathering).
Rocket Launch Video
So here’s an interesting video of the drama of rocket launching, from the UK. Obviously we need to find a video program with an interest in sponsoring and recording the next E.R.P.S. flight. I mean, these folks get all excited
General Meeting #329
Attending: Michael Wallis, Ed Stokke, Dan Solvin, Julie Porter, and Stellan Lagerstrom. Call to order: VP Julie Porter called the meeting to order at 21:20
Stanford Autonomous Helicopters
Here’s a video update on the Stanford group developing autonomous control systems for helicopters. Their craft bears a lot of similarity to the design goals of the GizmoCopter prrogram. Here’s a link to the Gizmodo article that I pinched the