How much water to use in a water rocket Air Command Rockets 2026-09-17 | How much water to use in a water rocket
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 33 - Booster Parachute Deployment Air Command Rockets 2022-10-12 | This week we build and test fly a prototype parachute deployment mechanism for the booster. We also look at some data about how fast the parachute opens and what sort of forces it puts on the rocket.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 32 - Booster Segments Air Command Rockets 2022-09-24 | This week we have a look at making the actual flight hardware booster pressure chambers. We build a test frame and then test the booster segments.
Nova Deployment Mechanism Upgrade Air Command Rockets 2022-09-09 | We upgrade the Nova parachute deployment mechanism and do some flight testing with it. Also includes a short sneak peak behind the scenes. The STL and CAD design files are available here: thingiverse.com/thing:5502347
Fine Powder Rockets Air Command Rockets 2022-07-11 | Following up from our test flight from a few weeks ago, here are a few more flights with Holi powder instead of water in our water rockets. What could go wrong?
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 30 - Booster Chutes Air Command Rockets 2022-06-29 | This week we have a look at the process of selecting the right kind of parachutes for booster recovery. We also do a set of drop tests on a scale model of the booster to determine the descent rate characteristics.
What happens if you put Holi powder in a water rocket. Air Command Rockets 2022-05-31 | Highlights from day #217 from Mullaley. We try coloured powder rockets, finally fly Lumpy on an H motor and re-fly the Nova rocket. More information on Flour Rockets: youtu.be/YUeDsy64H6U
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 31 - Burst Tests Air Command Rockets 2022-01-14 | This week we burst test the test pressure chamber to learn how close we are to the limit when launching the final rocket. We also look at how the central bracket is attached to the pressure chamber and we do a full load test with it.
Water Rocket with long camera boom Air Command Rockets 2021-11-05 | Today we flew a water rocket with a deployable camera boom so that we could film a rocket in flight from close proximity. This is an extension of an experiment we flew a few years ago.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 29 - Successful Tests Air Command Rockets 2021-10-16 | Successful tests of the third test pressure chamber for the Horizon booster. We cover some of the changes we made to the pressure chamber since the last one, and show some highlights of the tests performed during a live stream earlier in the week.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 28 - More Testing Air Command Rockets 2021-07-09 | This week we look at testing a second and improved booster test pressure chamber. We also do an update on Nova's last flight.
Low Drag Drop Away Rail Buttons Air Command Rockets 2021-05-02 | We look at a design for drop away rail buttons to reduce drag on a rocket. The design also supports a wide variety of launch rail profiles. Button Drag Characteristics: apogeerockets.com/downloads/PDFs/launch-lug-drag.pdfFly away guide video: youtube.com/watch?v=Dtk3HvlGlgAby Chuck HSTL files for the rail buttons shown in this video can be downloaded from here:http://www.aircommandrockets.com/day213.htmExtra information is included on the bracket.
High Pressure Water Rockets Air Command Rockets 2021-04-16 | Water rocket highlights from our recent trip to Mullaley, NSWRA's high power launch site. We launched Dark Shadow at its highest pressure to date at 1000psi and also the Nova water rocket at 450psi.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 27 - Booster Release Mechanism Air Command Rockets 2021-03-16 | In this video we look at making and testing the booster release mechanism. This mechanism holds down the entire rocket while it is pressurised, and then releases it during launch. It needs to hold down about 700Kg. We also make a set of 3 inner liner tubes from carbon fiber for the booster.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 26 - Pressure Tests Air Command Rockets 2021-03-01 | This week we look at testing the booster test pressure chamber. We try a repair and pressure test again.0:00 Introduction1:02 Test stand frame1:47 First Pressure Test3:28 Test Discussion4:19 Repair6:18 Second Pressure Test9:52 Outro and what's nextHorizon Productions: https://www.horizonproductions.com.au/
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 25 - Construction Fail Air Command Rockets 2021-02-15 | In part 25 we run into some trouble with the booster's test pressure chamber sleeve. We also make a master spacing template for the booster segments that will help with sizing of various brackets and components.
Nova Water Rocket - Part 3 of 3 - First Flights Air Command Rockets 2020-10-29 | In this 3 part series we build and fly a mid-powered water rocket called Nova that can fly to 1000 feet (300m). In this episode we cover those first flights.0:00 - Introduction1:02 - Testing deployment mechanism1:36 - Explosion2:19 - Setting up for flight3:48 - First Flight5:06 - Second Flight6:16 - Outro
Nova Water Rocket - Part 2 of 3 - Parachute Deploy Mechanism Air Command Rockets 2020-10-23 | In this 3 part series we build and fly a mid-powered water rocket called Nova that can fly to 1000 feet (300m). In this episode we cover how the parachute deployment mechanism is made and also finish off the rest of the rocket by adding some fins and we paint it.0:00 - Introduction1:12 - Overall design2:03 - Fitting electronics3:20 - Shock cord3:43 - Packing parachute4:44 - Bench Test6:23 - Making fins6:58 - Attaching fins7:42 - Fin fillets9:01 - Painting10:21 - Attaching mounting ring10:51 - Final Assembly
Nova Water Rocket - Part 1 of 3 - Pressure Chamber Air Command Rockets 2020-10-16 | In this 3 part series we build and fly a mid-powered water rocket called Nova that can fly to 1000 feet (300m). In this episode we cover how to build the pressure chamber as we simplify some of the construction techniques we've used previously.0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Making Body Tube4:51 - Coating Inside of Body Tube6:15 - Making Endcaps11:46 - Nozzle retaining ring12:20 - Launcher / Test adaptor12:48 - Pressure Test14:29 - Outro
Daniels Water Rocket Flight Computer Air Command Rockets 2020-08-12 | We test fly Daniel Veira's flight computer that can be used for water rockets to capture data as well as deploy a parachute. Full details of the flight computer can be found here:Github:github.com/DanInvents/Flight-ControllerYouTube:youtube.com/watch?v=Vj6iDYC5_sMTindie:tindie.com/products/daninvents/flight-controller-rev-1
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 24 - Booster Design Air Command Rockets 2020-07-12 | This video is an update of what we have been up to in the last couple of months. We cover making some booster components, fixing our lathe, booster design aspects as well making an intervalometer for our camera.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 23 - Launcher Complete Air Command Rockets 2020-04-02 | We finish the Horizon launcher in this video. We also show how it will be assembled and used at a launch site.
Mobius Mini V2 Camera for Rockets Air Command Rockets 2020-03-06 | A quick review of some of the features we find useful on the Mobius Mini V2 camera. We've been using the old 808 #16 camera for a few years and with Josh's recommendation we finally decided to get one of the Mobius Mini V2 camera's. It's size and feature set make it particularly useful for rocketry related projects. Configuration software for the rocket can be found here:mobius-actioncam.com/downloads-info
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 22 - Horizon Launcher Air Command Rockets 2020-01-29 | In part 22 we build the Horizon launcher's tilting platform. We also explain some of the design decisions that went into this.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 21 - Baffle Experiments Air Command Rockets 2020-01-15 | This week we look at an issue we will need to address when the Horizon sustainer is flown in a 2-stage configuration. Shortly after burnout, the water in the sustainer starts moving forward inside the rocket which can lead to a loss of performance if the rocket was staged some time after burnout. So what are our options?Ullage motor video:youtube.com/watch?v=2Wg98NNbrX8Inside tank video:youtube.com/watch?v=PPnCKK1isMI
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 20 - Launcher Prototype Air Command Rockets 2019-12-12 | In part 20 we have a look at a launcher and booster mock-ups to see how well we'll be able to handle and load the rocket onto the launch pad.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 19 - Flight Analysis Air Command Rockets 2019-10-29 | In part #19 we have a look at some of the numbers behind the flights shown in part 18. We also compare the flights to simulation results as well as a couple of other observations.
Water Rocket World Record - 3155 feet (961m) Air Command Rockets 2019-10-07 | In part #18 of the Horizon series we test fly the rebuilt second stage a couple of times. The first flight started at 1000psi and the second flight at higher pressure went to a new altitude world record over 3000 feet. University of Cape Town record flights:youtube.com/watch?v=Tb5FVrEeE50youtube.com/watch?v=K8WP9QCa2co
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 17 - Recycling Lumpy Air Command Rockets 2019-09-30 | What do you do with a bent water rocket? ... You recycle it of course. We also take a detailed look at the cross-section of the pressure chamber.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 16 - Sustainer Rebuild Air Command Rockets 2019-09-22 | In this week's video we have a look at a new rebuild of the Horizon sustainer to hopefully solve the bending problem we saw last time during pressurization. We also get some interesting results from a pressure test.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 15 - Bending Details Air Command Rockets 2019-09-03 | In Part #15 we have a look at the reasons why the Horizon sustainer bent during the last launch. We also have a look at possible solutions.Thanks to Cran from It's Rocket Science Adventures: https://www.itsrocketscience.com.au/ for helping out with the thermal experiment at the Thunda launch.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 14 - First Flight Air Command Rockets 2019-08-14 | In part #14 we have a look at our first sustainer test flight, as well as ... well you'll see.Here are some other videos from the event:Record flight:youtube.com/watch?v=ADgfCEWJcRgHighlights:youtube.com/watch?v=AaZ2lmrFbSo
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 13 - Sustainers Complete Air Command Rockets 2019-07-31 | In Part #13 we have a look at finishing the sustainers by adding a reinforcement sleeve to the liners we made in Part #11, making and attaching the fins and finally painting them.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 12 - Parachute Deployment Air Command Rockets 2019-07-17 | This week we look at the design of the parachute deployment mechanism used by the Horizon sustainer. We also do some bench and flight tests with it.
Giraffe View - 4m tall tripod Air Command Rockets 2019-06-20 | This week was a bit of a casual flying day so we decided to put together a 4m tall tripod so that we could get more or less a giraffe view of the launches.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 11 - Pressure Chamber Liner Air Command Rockets 2019-06-13 | This week we have a look at making the sustainer's pressure chamber's inner liner. This gives the pressure chamber it's shape and also makes it airtight.Carbon fiber sleeves are from Soller Composites: sollercomposites.com
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 10 - Launcher Complete Air Command Rockets 2019-05-16 | In part 10 of the Horizon series we put all the remote launcher electronics inside its own box, mount the valve motors in the air control box and finish of the launcher. Finally we do some bench and field testing.
Water Rocket Launch to 2,269 ft (691m) - Personal Record! Air Command Rockets 2019-05-09 | This video covers a couple of Dark Shadow flights that set our new personal altitude records at the recent Thunda 2019 high power rocket launch event.Launch #1 2:30 - 2,066 feet (630m)Launch #2 5:37 - 2,269 feet (691m)Thanks to LCOs: Bryce Chanes and Charlie Rosenfield.
Thunda 2019 High Power Rocket Launch Air Command Rockets 2019-04-30 | These are some highlights from the Thunda Down Under 2019 High power Launch in Queensland. This event took place at Funny Farm on 18th-21st April 2019. If your rocket didn't appear in the video have a look in the photo album below:Photo Album from the event is here with 320+ photos:photos.app.goo.gl/UEvcvLWiTwXQZCUP6Here are some of the AURC team pages if you want to find out more about their projects:AURC: https://aurc.ayaa.com.au/RMIT HIVE: facebook.com/RMITHIVEAIAA UNSW Rocketry Team: facebook.com/UNSWRocketryUQSpace: facebook.com/UQSpaceMonash HPR: facebook.com/monashhprANU Rocketry: facebook.com/ANURocketryUSYD Rocketry Team: facebook.com/usydrocketryUC Aerospace: facebook.com/UCAerospaceUWA Aerospace: facebook.com/UWAAerospaceThere were also flyers from the following groups:Australian Rocketry: https://ausrocketry.com.auAMRS: https://rocketry.org.auQRS: qldrocketry.comMARS: https://rocket.org.auWARS: https://wars.org.auNSWRA: https://www.nswrocketry.org.auNZRA: nzrocketry.org.nzAir Command: http://www.aircommandrockets.com
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 9b - Quick Update Air Command Rockets 2019-03-12 | This is just a quick update. The Horizon project is in full swing and although we are taking plenty of construction video we haven't had the time to edit it yet. We'll get those videos done towards the end of April, after an upcoming launch in Queensland.Event that we'll be attending: https://thunda2.com.au/'Magic' tools inspired by This Old Tony: youtube.com/user/featony
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 9 - Launcher Electronics Air Command Rockets 2019-01-23 | In part 9 we have a look at the launcher's control electronics prototype. Circuit Diagram:http://www.aircommandrockets.com/images/Launcher_Wiring.pngComponents used:Raspberry Pi 3 Model B: sparkfun.com/products/13825Pi Camera 2: raspberrypi.org/products/camera-module-v2Pro Micro: sparkfun.com/products/12640Dual H-bridge driver: solarbotics.com/product/k_cmdLevel shifter: sparkfun.com/products/12009Circuit Diagram:http://www.aircommandrockets.com/images/Launcher_Wiring.png
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 8 - Test Pressure Chambers Air Command Rockets 2019-01-09 | In Part 8 of the Horizon Series we have a look at how we construct a couple of test pressure chambers and then .... actually test them.This is where we buy our carbon sleeves from:sollercomposites.com/index.html
Shock Cord Release Mechanism Air Command Rockets 2018-12-18 | The shock cord release mechanism allows the rocket to release the parachute shock cord after a certain amount of time to help recover the rocket if it gets stuck in a tree. More information is available here: http://www.AirCommandRockets.com/day201.htm
Flour Rockets Air Command Rockets 2018-12-05 | We take a look at how flour rockets work. Flour rockets are just like water rockets except the water is replaced with dry flour.
PCP pumps - Higher pressures than bicycle pumps Air Command Rockets 2018-09-17 | WARNING: High Pressure Air is dangerous. Always use protection and caution when dealing with high pressure air.This week we look at cheap Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) pumps normally used for filling air guns and if they can be used for pressurising water rockets to higher pressures. We compare one of these to a regular bicycle pump.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 7 - Air Control Box Air Command Rockets 2018-09-04 | In Part #7 we look at the plumbing in the air control box that controls air flowing into and out of the rocket.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 6 - Launcher Design Air Command Rockets 2018-07-16 | In part #6 we have a look at the overall launcher design, and make the launcher's release head.
Phoenix 3D Parachute Deployment Mechanism Air Command Rockets 2018-07-06 | This week we received one of Raketfued Rocket's 3D printed nosecone/parachute deployment mechanisms. Thanks very much for the anniversary present guys! :) In this video we adapt it to our rockets and take it for a spin.Check out their website:http://www.raketfuedrockets.com/enand YouTube Channel:youtube.com/user/RaketfuedDetails of the mechanism and STL files:http://www.raketfuedrockets.com/en/3dprinting.htm#xl_Phoenix3DSome more reports from the day:http://www.AirCommandRockets.com/day199.htm
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 5 - Test Stand Air Command Rockets 2018-06-27 | In part #5 of the Horizon series we build a test stand for applying loads to components without the need to pressurise them.
2 Stage Water Rocket - Part 4 - Staging Mechanism Air Command Rockets 2018-06-21 | In Part 4 we complete the staging mechanism prototype and do pressure tests up to 1000psi.Music:"Escape" by Eveningland - YouTube audio library
NSWRA High Power Launch Highlights Air Command Rockets 2018-05-21 | Highlights from the NSW Rocketry Association's High Power launch on 5th May 2018 at Mullaley. Includes launch of David's Patriot on an M-class motor.Here is some more information on Lisa: forum.ausrocketry.com/viewtopic.php?t=5386 And also here: multitronix.comMusic:"Rev" by Eveningland - YouTube Audio Library
