Hooray!   Construction is underway!!!!

The Crash Test Dummy is a modular rocket. The center section is replaceable with additional components that allow testing of the various components and systems that we are developing for the California Arrow.

The initial format of the rocket (for missions 1 and 2) will consist of;

• A booster containing 5 motor tubes and an avionics bay. It is a 'zipperless' design.
• An upper body section containing an avionics bay and 2 removable body tube sections for drogue to main deployment.
• A nose cone with an adjustable weight system.

Subsequent formats will replace the drogue section with more elaborate modules.

2/03/04 Update - Construction has finally begun.

<-- The parts are here!

Fiberglassing the body tubes -->

2/15/04 Update - First change in plans. It became apparent during the construction of the booster that this rocket was going to be too heavy to ever fly on a 54 mm Hypertek. Given that the purpose of this rocket is as a stable test platform, we have decided to remove the hybrid capability. This will allow us to shorten the booster and skip the vent.

2/18/04 Update - We have started building the booster section of the Crash Test Dummy. We made our own centering rings on the router table with a custom built jig.

<-- Here is Peter holding the assembled         booster prior to fin fiberglassing.

2/24/04 Update - The fins are all fiberglassed. 9 oz cloth with West System epoxy resin was used from fin to fin over the central 54mm motor tube. These fins are never coming off! (famous last words)

The outboard 38mm tubes are also in. We us small pieces of fabric and resin to firmly attach the tubes to the centering rings. The Slimline motor retainers were attached with JB Weld.

3/02/04 Update - The body tubes are all cut and slotted for the single and dual deployment versions of the rocket. The rocket is either 6'-10" or 9'-4" depending on configuration.

The fins appear small but it was designed that way. The later missions will incorporate a rather heavy top end and moving the center of pressure forward will aid in balancing. We plan on using  a high thrust motor for the first flight to hurry it off the rail and get the fins active.

3/15/04 Update - As this is a modular rocket design, the various body tubes, avionics bays and the nose call can all be assembled in a number of ways. Each tube to coupler connection is either a fixed, bolt-together joint or a separation point. We will connect the solid joints with 8 x 8-32 machine screws while the separation points will be secured with 4 x 2-56 nylon machine screws acting as shear pins.

Brass threaded inserts will be used in a plywood ring inside each of the couplers. It's important that each of the couplers have exactly the same configuration for easy reuse. We made a template out of a piece of leftover body tube with 12 holes (8 x #8 and 4 x #2) drilled in the proper positions. Each piece of body tube will have 8 #8 holes at one end and 4 #2 holes at the other.

3/18/04 Update - We got the coolest new shock cords via UPS today! They are called Cobra Heads and they are the nicest shock cords we have ever seen. They were made by RocketRage. I highly recommend them.

We bought the 3D model. There is a center loop one third from the end for the parachute attachment. We are using 2 of the 30 foot versions.

4/27/04 Update - The major components are painted and ready for final finishing.

Our dog Jack thought the rocket would look much better with him sitting next to it. Hocus the cat just doesn't want to pose properly. Oh well...

4/30/04 Update - Phase One of Crash Test Dummy is complete and ready for flight. Tomorrow is the big day!