T OTAL I MPULSE V OLUME 2 0 , N O . 6 November - December 2020 MARQUARDT MA177XAA LASRM Inside This Issue: Article: Page My Year of Construction 3 Marquardt MA177XAA LASRM 5 View From The Flight Line 9 Club News 10 Current Events in Space Exploration 11 Competition Corner 14 THOY Knighthawk Plan 15 This Month in Aerospace History 15 NASA Paper Models 21 Launch Windows 22 Vendor News 23 Vintage Ad 24

SPACEX NEWS View From The Build Line

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CLUB OFFICERS We can’t say for certain what 2021 is going President: Scott Miller to bring us. I hope you’re to spend Vice President: Roger Sadowsky some time pursuing model rocketry as best Treasurer: Tony Haga Secretary: Bob Dickinson you can. What is most important though is Editor / NAR Advisor: Buzz Nau to take care of yourself, check on your Communications: Dan Harrison friends and family and make sure they are Board of Director: Dale Hodgson doing as well as they possibly can under Board of Director: Mark Chrumka the circumstances. I’m looking forward to Board of Director: Dave Glover seeing you all again as soon as possible. It’s now 30 December and I am just barely MEMBERSHIP getting this edition of the newsletter out To become a member of the Jackson Model before the new year. Motivation for model Rocketry Club and Huron Valley Society means becoming a part of our family. We have rocketry has been hard to come by this monthly launches and participate in many edu- year. I am going through what I can only cational events. We encourage our members to imagine many of the rest of you all are also actively participate in our club projects, running experiencing. It’s difficult to maintain a high for office in our annual elections, contributing to level of engagement with a favorite pastime our monthly newsletter with articles or tips, and when you are barely able to enjoy it and offering services to the club in their area of ex- even then, you can’t share your experienc- pertise. We have many members comprised of es as we have in the past. Sure you can still children, men, women, professionals, lay people, build and Mark Chrumka submitted a great educators and people from many other walks of article highlighting his recent builds, but it’s life. You may fill out an application at a launch or not the same as sharing our successes on request an application from one of our board the launch field. We’ll get there again, it just members at [email protected] and mail might not be as soon as we want. it along with a check for the annual membership dues ($30.00 individual or $40.00 family) to our Please help me in thanking Mark for his mailing address: article as well as Chris Timm for the scale drawings and source material for the JMRC/HUVARS LASRM scale article, Dale Hodson for his C/O Bob Dickinson monthly “View From the Flight Line” column, 5668 Big Fish Rd Al dela Iglesia for letting me know about the Goodrich, MI 48438 NASA paper models website, and Tony Members enjoy participating in club projects, Haga for providing the upcoming space meeting an incredible group of positive people, launch activity list. and no launch fees! While we haven’t been able to fly much, COMM CHANNELS there certainly has been a lot of full scale There are several ways to keep in touch with the hardware getting airborne. SpaceX alone JMRC/HUVARS and it’s members. has made ten flights since the last newslet- ter was uploaded. This included the first Website: http://www.jmrconline.org. Information operational Crew Dragon flight sending four includes directions to launch sites & schedule, astronauts to the ISS. in New range procedures, and instructions on how to join the club. Zealand successfully recovered a booster and even the ULA NROL-101 IV Heavy eventually made it off the pad. It has Groups.io: The JMRC groups.io site is a place About Total Impulse to share files and also serves as our primary e- certainly been fun and encouraging to see mail list serv. Follow this link to join, all of the success in space exploration. Total Impulse is the official newsletter of the https://groups.io/g/jmrc Jackson Model Rocket Club (JMRC), Tripoli Expect to hear updates on the forum from Prefecture 96, NAR Section 620. Published Bi- Facebook: If you have a FaceBook account the BoD regarding launch field protocols in Monthly, Total Impulse is a space-modeling search for “Jackson Model Rocket Club JMRC” newsletter devoted to representing the diversity preparation for when we are able to fly of interests in today’s hobby of model rocketry. and request to be added. again. This newsletter is in the public domain except GroupMe: Our new chat channel for broadcast- where otherwise marked. Unmarked articles, ing notifications instantly using a free download photographs, and drawings may be re-printed client for IOS and Droid as well as by SMS text Launch/Event Calendar - 2020 elsewhere, but credit to the author and this messaging. You can join the notification chat • March 14 (MIS) newsletter is expected. Material marked as copy- righted may not be re-printed without the con- after creating a free account and following this • April 11 (MIS) sent of the author. link, • May 9 (MIS) https://groupme.com/join_group/28013422/zc5IC1 The editor of Total Impulse accepts material for • CrapShoot VI - May 23,24 (tentative) (Muskegon) inclusion from anyone. • June 13 (MIS) Send correspondence to: • July 11 (MIS) Jackson Model Rocket Club Fade To Black Rocket Works • NARAM 62 - July 25 - 31 (Geneseo, NY) Buzz Nau, Editor Heavy Duty Launch Pads For Every Need • August 15 (MIS) E-mail: [email protected] All pads are powder coated for lasting durability • September 19 (MIS) • October 10 (MIS) https://www.facebook.com/fziegler13/ • November 14 (MIS) On the Cover: Concept Mini $119 Concept X-treme $325 NOTE: Launch dates are subject to change without notice. (top right) Marquardt SCP / LASRM test round mounted Concept $285 Ground Pounder $345 on a USAF F-100 Super Sabre - USAF photo (bottom - Be sure to call the “launch hotline” at 517.262.0510 for the left) SpaceX Crew Dragon 1 on the pad at TARC Pad $285 Ground Pounder Heavy $425 latest weather and field information or sign up for the JMRC Cape Canaveral (bottom - right) Mark Chrumka’s Estes +Shipping Notification GroupMe chat. Maxi X-Wing Fighter

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Mark Chrumka This year has been unlike any I’ve experi- creases. The nose cone and 4 mid-body enced with the CCP virus restrictions signif- fins were molded from polyurethane resin. icantly limiting the ability to fly. Fortunately, To ensure stability, 4 washers are added to I enjoy building models as much as flying the base of the nose cone and the motor them. “Real” NARAM was cancelled this mount is recessed 5 inches into the base of year, so I had an opportunity to 3D print the body. Like the 3D printed Mars Lander and construct a number of kits I’ve wanted and Pershing, this model will require a high to build, but couldn’t because of time spent initial launch velocity and low winds, to building NARAM scale models. The follow- ensure a safe flight and destruction of the ing are I’ve built over the past 12 incoming . months, but not flown, due to restrictions. AMT 1/72 scale XB-70A (plastic model 3D printed 1/10 scale Pershing 1-A (Leo conversion), 4 x 18mm motors, 702g. Re- Nutz 3D print files), 24mm motor, 488g. marks: During a July 12, 1998 HUVARS Remarks: I’ve always wanted to build an picnic in Hamburg, MI I launched a PMC of Estes Maxi Pershing -1A, which was last an XB-70A with a cluster of four, C5-3 mo- produced in 1983. As a result, the kit has tors. All motors lit and the model left the 6 been difficult to find and obtain at a reason- ft. launch rod, then arced over at around able price. I found a great design on Thingi- 100 ft and re-kitted itself. Post flight inspec- verse. The numerous components were tion showed that one of two launch lugs well designed fit together nicely. I look for- had separated from the underside and im- ward to launching it on an F impulse motor parted “rod-whip”, which resulted in a “core on a calm day. sample”. Broken pieces were recovered and sat in a box awaiting resurrection for Shadow Composites Sprint ABM 22 years. The second version will be launched using rail buttons, to hopefully Shadow Composites 1/12 scale Sprint – avoid a repeat performance. Buzz Nau is ABM, 24mm motor, 155g. Remarks: I al- the sole remaining witness of the tragic ways thought a scale rocket of an ABM that event and took the launch photo. If I recall reaches Mach 10 in 5 seconds would pre- correctly, “Mr. Glider Wizard” suggested sent a unique model. The main body is adding 2 degrees of up-elevator. composed of superbly printed, heavy pa- per, which needs to be formed into a shroud. Forming the body is the trickiest part to ensure accurate assembly and no

3D Printed 1/10 scale Pershing 1-A

3D printed Mars Lander (mechg 3D print files), 24mm motor, 183g. Remarks: I con- sider the Estes Mars Lander one of the most appealing rockets ever made, so when a 3D design became available on Thingiverse, I had to print it. All body parts were printed in white, legs in red and shock absorbers in silver. Nose weight was added to ensure stability. I expect to fly it on a D12-3 on a calm day, with crossed fingers. 3D Printed Apollo Pad Abort and Mars Lander Original XB-70 Valkyrie Plastic Model Conversion

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Mark Chrumka Booster-55 during a JMRC holiday party and needed a rocket that was compatible. It was a quick mindless build that satisfied my staging “fix”.

BPS Signal R2 (finless rocket using thrust vector control), 29mm motor, 678g. Re- marks: Wow, a stable, finless, non-cone stabilized rocket! My goal is to become proficient with thrust vector control and apply the technology to a scale model.

XB-70 PMC, Mosquito & Mega Mosquito, Camroc LOC Warlock Carrier, and Estes Chiller 2-stage ARF LOC/Precision Warlock, 38mm motor, 7lbs. Remarks: I couldn’t apply a paint finish, Estes Mega Mosquito, 24mm motor. Re- due to inclement weather and am consider- marks: Nice stable rocket that flies and ing applying Monokote or a similar material. recovers well. The rocket was built for a Level 2 attempt to gain some respect from the high-power Camroc Carrier (Jamie Claye 3D print gurus. Although, I’m dubious I’ll get any files), 18mm motor. Remarks: The Camroc from Hodgson ;) first appeared in the 1966 Estes catalog and was meant to fly on the 2-stage, Astron Estes Maxi X-Wing Fighter, 24mm & 4 x Delta. I discovered a Camroc 3D print de- 13mm motors, 408g. Remarks: I purchased sign on Thingiverse in early 2019 which this at a comic book store in 2012. It’s the was designed to use an 808 keychain cam- first rocket I’ve weathered to include battle era. The Camroc was printed and ground BPS Signal R2 Thrust Vectoring Rocket System damage. I added 13mm motor mounts in- tested, but a booster was needed. Instead side 4 outboard engines for additional of the Astron Delta, I decided to construct a thrust. Camroc Carrier rocket that originally ap- peared in 1969 as “Estes Rocket Plan No. Estes Der Mega Red Max, 29mm motor, 60”. 875g. Remarks: Rather than butt joining 12 balsa sheets to cover the sides of the 3 Boyce Aerospace 1/27 scale Apollo Pad plywood core fins, as instructed, I epox- Abort (3D print), 24mm motor, 208g. Re- ied .010 in., G10 fiberglass with no weight marks: Since Steve Kristal developed his penalty. 1515 rail buttons were substituted clustered version of the Apollo Pad Abort in place of launch lugs and the elastic band and became world famous, I wanted to shock cord was replaced with Kevlar. The build one. The 3D printed kit I built is a very large waterslide decals required care- smaller, single motor version designed to ful application to avoid tearing. fly on a D12-3. Vinyl decals are provided to enhance scale appearance. To ensure stability, the model required 12 pennies to be epoxied into the escape tower nose cone. Four, 12 in. chutes are crammed into small capsule chute compartments for re- covery. Proper chute deployment is my biggest concern for a safe recovery.

Estes Chiller (2-stage), 24mm & 18mm motors. Remarks: I acquired an Estes Estes Der Mega Red Max

T OTAL I MPULSE V OLUME 2 0 , N O . 6 P a g e 5 MARQUARDT MA177XAA LASRM

Chris Timm & Buzz Nau The Marquardt MA177XAA – SCP (supersonic chemi- cal propulsion) / LASRM (Low Altitude Short Range Missile) was a United States Air Force sponsored de- velopment program conducted from 1963 to 1969. The LASRM was primarily a test bed for the integral rocket-ramjet concept (IRR) that would allow a ramjet powered missile to fit in the B-52 Stratofortress rotary launcher and meet the USAF’s range requirements for the SRAM (short range attack missile) program.

The LASRM was 14 feet long and 15 inches in diame- ter with cruciform air inlets and aft wedge fins mounted in-line with the inlets. There were aero- dynamic covers over the air intakes during boost which were jettisoned inflight prior to solid rocket mo- tor ejection. LASRM on a transport dolly before loading on a F-100 Super Sabre - USAF photo

ed the lower speed, two-stage solid rocket powered AGM-69 SRAM by Boeing. It was believed the smaller radar cross section would improve missile survivability over increased speed.

LASRM undergoing fueling of Shelldyne H - USAF photo

At launch the solid propellant rocket motor would ig- LASRM being loaded on a transport dolly - USAF photo nite and accelerate the LASRM to cruise speed. This motor was cast within the ramjet’s combustion cham- References: ber. Once at cruise speed the solid rocket motor was Stechman, R. Carl (Aerojet Redmond, WA), Allen, ejected from the ramjet nozzle. The ramjet was fed Robert C. (Port Hueneme), History of Ramjet Propul- through the four cruciform air inlets and burned a high sion Development at the Marquardt Company - 1944 -density hydrocarbon (Shelldyne-H) fuel. TO 1970, 41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propul- sion Conference & Exhibit 10 - 13 July 2005, Tucson, By containing the booster motor within the ramjet Arizona combustion chamber the LASRM made for a compact Fry, Ronald D., Journal of Propulsion and Power Vol. missile compared to the typical tandem booster/ 20 No. 1, January – February 2004: A Century of missile arrangement at the time. Though the demon- Ramjet Propulsion Technology Evolution, John Hop- stration program was a success, the Air Force select- kins University, Columbia, Maryland

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T OTAL I MPULSE V OLUME 2 0 , N O . 6 P a g e 8 MARQUARDT MA177XAA LASRM

Chris Timm & Buzz Nau

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A Long Winter’s Nap

D ALE H ODGSON Well, as I sit here writing this it is the day multi-stage, gliders, ‘copters, egg lofters, before Thanksgiving. Even with all that competition, the whole spectrum. This 2020 has thrown at us; a Pandemic, ongo- doesn’t even count what Scott and I have ing political battles, not being able to fly, been cooking up but more on that in an etc. there are still things to be thankful for. upcoming issue. What I’m still looking and For me personally I’m thankful that I’ve hoping for are a couple more PerfectFlite been able to work through it all, albeit dif- altimeters. They have been listed as out of ferently than usual. I basically went from in- stock for months; if nothing else I do not person meetings to Zoom, Go-To, Meet Me want to see that company fold. There are and a zillion other platforms I knew nothing other altimeters available of course but I do about. Still heading into the field quite regu- not want to see one of the standard bear- larly to check to make sure clients are oper- ers go away. So, I guess in my own weird ating safely and that their critter issues are way I’m helping to keep our manufacturers under control. Funny how in the greater and vendors afloat at least a little. Don’t scheme of things our pests and wildlife worry Scott; once we start flying again I’ll have been largely unaffected by all of this be visiting the trailer with a wheelbarrow for so my work life goes on. I’m also very reloads. grateful to have remained healthy through all of this; my heart goes out to those that have been sick or worse yet, lost someone there. I think I will spend my winter when due to this thing. Lastly but certainly not it’s too nasty to be outside in my basement least I am grateful to be associated with our building projects. I have no idea what the club. I don’t think I could find a greater weather is going to do; it’s been a spectac- group of folks to share a passion with. ular fall but I’m sure the bottom will be fall- Even though we haven’t flown a thing in ing out very soon. So instead of taking a 2020 it’s still a help knowing I’m not alone; long winter’s nap I’ll be trying my best to there are bunches of us having propellant keep my head in the game by getting some withdrawal on an astronomical scale. I projects built and ready to go. Hopefully guess….and this will remain to be that will take the edge off; January and seen….that help is on the way and we’ll February may not be all that enticing other- finally be able to break the back of the Pan- wise. demic and get back do doing some things that have been put on the shelf so to I recently saw on TV that on the Discovery speak. Being on the BOD I can assure you Channel beginning December 3rd is a se- that this has been quite the topic of discus- ries about Rocketry. It’s called sion and will only intensify as we move I would like to remind everyone; in case “Rocket Around the Xmas Tree” and shows towards flying in 2021. We’re looking at they are looking for projects to occupy their contests of various Christmas themed what other clubs are doing as far as devel- time with that Buzz had posted a couple of oddrocks being launched…or CATOed. oping field protocol. We will do what we can good ideas. One was the Bertha Contest. If nothing else that is definitely something to keep us as safe as we can while still There were three phases to this; look back to look forward to watching. So, keep an being able to get some birds in the air. a few issues for the particulars. Another eye out; this should be fun. Frankly, I cannot wait for that day when we was simply a design contest. Building are back on the flight line again. something of your own creation; any con- I hate to end this on a down note but it sure figuration but sent the specs/plans to Buzz. doesn’t look like we will be getting together In the mean time though, what are we go- If nothing else these two ideas alone will at our annual banquet. I sure will miss it; it’s ing to occupy our time with? Last issue I keep the flame lit until we are back out always been a highlight for Julie and I to put up a couple of pictures as to what my come, enjoy good food and the festivities basement looks like. Boxes everywhere with all my rocket buds and families. I will with kits and parts. I’ll post the pics again look forward to the day we can come to- but it has gotten worse; more “stuff” has gether again. But we have to face reality; it arriving since then. I actually hit up a cou- just isn’t time just yet. Soon though. ple of pre-Black Friday sales that Madcow Rocketry advertised and got a couple of Lastly, Julie and I want to wish each and kits. Of course, accessories had to be every one of you and your families a very bought as well; chutes, shock cords, blessed Christmas and hope for a New Nomex, retainers and rail buttons all add Year that is safe and prosperous. Stay up. Which reminds me; mental note…order healthy everyone. And on a personal note I more epoxy! I’m thinking my personal stash want 2021 to be so thick with smoke from would rival some small hobby shops; every- propellant it will look like a scene from Ste- thing from 13mm to 98mm. Single stage, ven King’s movie “The Mist”.

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"Club Organizational Vigilant Isolation Determination" President Scott Miller has conceived an interesting challenge to the club during this time of isolation and social distancing. It is open for anyone that wants to participate, the only requirement is belonging to the JMRC/HUVARS forum for participation. The object is to design and fabricate a club project rocket remotely via the club forum. The parts can be brought together and assem- bled after the stay at home order is lifted and normal launch opera- tions resume. Prize: Free motor and use of hardware up to M class to fly the pro- ject. Ignition services are offered as well. Rules: 1. All communication needs to be through this forum for all to see. Everything must be built and coordinated remotely, no group build sessions are allowed. 2. To keep the spirit of the challenge shipping individual pieces between participants is allowed if no contact shipping is utilized. 3. The rocket must be capable of flying at a JMRC field safely. 4. JMRC BOD members are available to answer questions along Buzz Nau is sponsoring a rocket design contest for the club. the way and provide support. First place will be awarded $50. Runners up will receive kits to 5. JMRC BOD must approve the rocket. be named later. The rules are simple; 6. The most important rule....Have fun and be respectful of all • The design needs to be original input, feedback, and questions. • The design must be capable of using currently available That is basically it... the more participation the better and feel free to motors Frankenstein your current stash you are willing to loan to the project. The key to success will be open communication and accurate meas- • While you do not need to build or fly your submission, the urements. design must be stable • No up or down scales or modifications of commercial kits Big Bertha Contest (Holding Pattern) • Entries can be submitted using Rocksim, OpenRocket or (We’re absolutely going to do this!) other drawing applications Designed by Vern Estes, the Big Bertha is the iconic model rocket throughout the decades. Make Vern proud and enter your Big Ber- • Hand drawn designs are allowed. Just scan and email them tha in this fun contest we will be holding… sometime. • Entries will be judged by the BOD Goal • Deadline for submissions is open till further notice Make three flights with a single model (Big Bertha) and attempt to score the best in four events. To be flown at the October, Novem- • Send submissions to [email protected] ber, er… May launch! …….weather permitting OK, we’re definitely getting this done as soon as the end of the world decides to wrap things up Vehicle As mentioned, this is a Big Bertha contest. If you don’t have a Big Bertha then any rocket with at least 18” of BT-60 and four fins will do. If you wish to build one from scratch you can download the plans here, Events A Parachute Duration – Using an A impulse motor and parachute of any size, get a longest possible duration. Remember, you need to get it back for the other events! B Streamer Duration Spot Landing - That’s right, two events in one. Using a B impulse motor and streamer for recovery get the longest possible duration AND land closest to the target mark that will be placed randomly at the field. C Altitude (altimeter) – Using a C impulse motor and electronic altimeter reach the highest altitude. I will have a couple of altimeters to loan out if you don’t have a suitable altimeter.

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Roscosmos / SpaceX / NASA / ULA / RocketLab Though the model rocket community has been grounded for the most part, real space exploration finished out 2020 with a flurry of activity. Once again, no one was more active than SpaceX send- ing up ten flights since our last issue! Next up is a LONG list of SpaceX launches since our last issue. The first occurred with launch of 60 Starlink on 18 Octo- ber 2020. The booster had previously flown 5 times and recov- ered aboard the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You”.

First up is Roscosmos with the launch of MS-17 on 14 Oc- tober 2020. This was a crew ferry flight to the International Space Station and the first time using the “ultrafast” two- rendezvous flight plan. This allowed the crew to reach the ISS in three hours from launch! Crew members were Sergey Ryzhiov, Sergey Kud- Sverchkov, and Kathleen Rubins.

The next flight, another Starlink flight, occurred on 24 October 2020. This milestone was the 100th successful flight by SpaceX. This flight deployed 60 Starlink satellites and was the booster’s third flight. The first stage successfully landed on the recovery droneship “Just Read The Instructions”.

On 18 December 2020 Roscosmos launched a Soyuz 2.1b vehi- cle and Fregat upper stage that deployed 36 satellites for One- Web’s broadband internet network. The launch took place from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Far East Russia.

GPS III Space Vehicle 04 was the next mission flown by SpaceX on 5 November 2020. The United States Space Force was deployed successfully. The first stage landed on “Of Course I Still Love You”.

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Roscosmos / SpaceX / NASA / ULA / RocketLab SpaceX Continued— SpaceX CRS-21 was a Commercial Resupply Service Mission Probably the most anticipated launch since the Crew Dragon delivering cargo to the ISS on 6 December 2020. This was the Demo-2 manned flight was the Crew-1 flight on 15 November first flight of the new Cargo Dragon 2 variant. The booster had 2020. This was the first operational flight of the Crew Dragon and flown once before and made the 100th successful Falcon 9 land- America’s return to manned space flight. The capsule docked the ing. following day delivering four astronauts to the ISS for their six month mission. The crew consisted of astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi. It was the booster’s first flight and recovered successfully.

In news not involving a Falcon 9, SpaceX launched Starship SN- 8, the first high altitude Starship prototypes on a 12.5km test flight on 9 December 202 from the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Tex- as . This flight was extremely ambitious including the three Raptor Following less than a week from the Crew-1 success, SpaceX motor cluster, use of nose and body flaps, and belly flop descent launched the Sentinel-6 Michael Frelich mission from Vandenberg maneuver. It was amazingly close to a perfect flight, but there was Air Force Base on 21 November 2020. The Sentinel-6 Michael less than expected pressure in the header fuel tank causing inad- Frelich satellite objective is provide precision ocean altimetry equate thrust for the final stage of the landing. The vehicle was measurements through 2030. lost in a RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly).

Just three days later SpaceX was at it again back at Cape Canav- On 13 December 2020 launched the SiriusXM-7 high power eral Space Force Station and the launch of the 16th Starlink mis- broadcasting satellite aboard a Falcon 9. This was flight number 7 sion deploying another 60 satellites. It was the 7th flight for the for the booster after a 54 day turnaround. Landing was successful booster which landed on “Of Course I Still Love You”. aboard “Just Read The Instructions”

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Roscosmos / SpaceX / NASA / ULA / RocketLab SpaceX Continued - On 19 December 2020 SpaceX launched the NROL-108 spy sat- ellite for the National Reconnaissance Office and their final launch for 2020. It was a late addition to SpaceX’s 2020 launch schedule. The 25th flight total for 2020 beat the previous SpaceX record of 21 flights in 2018. The booster had flown four previous missions and landed on Landing Zone 1 back at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

On 20 November 2020 Rocket Lab achieved their first successful recovery of a booster vehicle in their investigation into reusability. The Return to Sender mission additionally deployed 30 small sat- ellites. The first stage booster was recovered by parachute achieving a soft water landing.

On 20 October 2020 OSIRUS-Rex, NASA’s first asteroid sampling landed on asteroid Bennu and collected 5.4 grams of samples. It is planned to return to Earth in 2023.

Rocket Lab’s final launch of the year was The Owl’s Night Begins mission launched on 15 December 2020. The 17th Electron flight deployed the Synspective’s StriX-a satellite, the first in a series of constellation satellites that will be used to image millimeter level changes to the Earth’s surface from space. There was no objec- tive to recover the booster on this flight.

Rocket Lab launched the In Focus mission on 29 October 202 from their Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. The Electron successfully deployed ten commer- cial satellites making a total of 65 satellites launched by Rocket Lab. The payload included Earth imaging and observation satel- lites.

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Roscosmos / SpaceX / NASA / ULA / RocketLab

Finally and I do mean “finally”, United Launch Alliance (ULA) lifted the NROL-101 national security satellite to orbit aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The mission had been plagued for months by last second aborts, but everything went well on 10 December 2020 at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 37. It was the 41st launch of the Delta IV and 12th in the Heavy configuration. It was also ULA’s 39th launch for the National Reconnaissance Office.

ULA’s next launch is the STP-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force, scheduled for first quarter 2021 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Below is a recent post from NAR Contest Board Chair Dan Wolf Link is here: https://www.nar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ to the contestRoc forum. It contains a link to a guide regarding the Care-and-Feeding-of-Altimeters.pdf Adrel ALT-BMP altimeter as well as a link to Dan’s “The Care and Feeding of Altimeters for NAR Competition” article. I have copied the content here for JMRC/HUVARS awareness. Any concerns or questions, please respond directly to me. My contact info is on the NAR website.

Buzz Regards, Dan

“I have added a guidance document to the NAR website about how to process Altitude data for the Adrel ALT-BMP (aka NCR Dan Wolf Adrel MaxAlt). The purpose is to point out and clarify 2 things: NAR Contest Board Chair NAR #24516 “ 1. How to get the correct altitude to use for the NAR Altitude Temperature correction that is built into Contest Manager 2. Reminder to use the filter in the ALT-BMP app to get the correct reading and comply with USMRSC rules for NAR ap- proved altimeters

Link is here: https://www.nar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ ALT-BMP_use.pdf

I apologize for not getting out in front of this earlier and for any confused this may have caused.

Also, I have also published on the NAR website my “The Care and Feeding of Altimeters for NAR Competition Article” that was published in the Jan/Feb 2019 issue of Sport Rocketry that pro- vides helpful information for all altimeters approved for NAR con- test use. Adrel Altimeter - North Coast Rocketry photo

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Knighthawk Parts List 1 – Ace 2.6 Nose Cone 1 – LOC 3.9 Body Tube (34”) 1 – LOC 3.9 Payload Tube (17”) 1 – LOC 3.9 Coupler 1 – LOC 3.9 Bulkhead 3 – LOC 3.9-1.14(7) Centering Rings 7 – LOC 1.14 Motor Tube (11.75”) 3 – Fins from 1/8” plywood 1 – 58” Parachute 2 – Rail Buttons 1 – Recovery Harness

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Source - NASA JPL 90 Years Ago - 1930 (Carried Two Dogs: Pchelka & Mushka). December 30: A rocket launched by Dr. Robert H. Goddard in New Mexico reached an altitude of 2,000 feet and a speed of 500 mph.

60 Years Ago - 1960 November 3: Explorer 8 launched by Juno II, 12:23 a.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, Fla. November 8: Little Joe V December 4: Explorer S-56 failed to orbit failed, 10:18 a.m., EST, from WFF, VA. launcher. It was the Wallops Flight Facility first attempt to place a satellite in orbit us- 85 Years Ago - 1935 (WFF), VA. ing an all-solid propellant launch vehicle November 11: Captains Stevens and An- and the first orbital attempt made from derson, U.S. Army Air Corps, reached an NASA's Wallops Island facility. altitude of 14 miles (74,000 feet) in strato- spheric balloon Explorer II; take-off was at Rapid City, SD, and landing eight hours and 12 minutes later 340 miles away near Aurora, NE.

December 7: Discoverer 18 (CORONA Mission 9012)launched by Agena, 3:21 p.m., EST, 75 Years Ago - 1945 Vandenberg AFB, CA. December 10: Fifty-five German specialists December 15: Able 5B / Pio- arrived at Fort Bliss, TX, and White Sands neer 31 / Pioneer Z, lunar satellite Proving Grounds, NM, where they were exploded on launch, 4:11 a.m., EST, joined by seven specialists headed by Dr. Cape Canaveral, Fla. Wernher von Braun. November 21: Mercury- (MR- 1) failed, 8:00 a.m., Cape Ca- naveral, Fla. November 23: Tiros 2 launched by Thor Delta, 6:13 65 Years Ago - 1955 a.m., EST, Van- November 18: First powered flight of Bell X denberg AFB, -2, piloted by Lt. Col. Frank Everest, Ed- CA. wards AFB, CA. December 1: 6 launch from Baikonur; unsuc- cessful reentry.

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December 19: MR-1A suborbital flight, by a Scout, 11:48 p.m., EST, Wallops December 15: Gemini 6 launched by 11:15 a.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Flight Facility (WFF), VA. Titan 2, 8:37 a.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, first Mercury-Redstone capsule. November 26: Asterix 1 Launch ('s Fla. Astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr. and 1st Satellite). First satellite to be launched Thomas P. Stafford; rendezvous mission by a nation other than the US and the with GT-7. USSR with the use of its own launch vehi- cle ( A from , Algeria).

November 29: Explorer 31, a small iono- spheric observatory, was launched by Thor -Agena B from Vandenberg AFB, CA, December 20: Discoverer 19 orbited 11:48 p.m., EST. December 16: Pioneer 6 launched by Thor by Thor, 3:37 a.m., EST, Vanden- December 4: Gemini Titan 7 launched by Delta, 2:31 a.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, berg AFB, CA. Though part of the Titan 2, 2:30 p.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, Fla. CORONA program, Discoverer 19 Fla. Astronauts Frank Borman and James did not carry a film capsule. It was A. Lovell, Jr. on a 14-day mission. orbited as a test for the Midas mis- sile-detection system.

55 Years Ago - 1965 November 6: GEOS 1 (Explorer 29) orbited by a Delta, 1:39 p.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, Fla.

December 6: French 1 (FR 1) launched by 50 Years Ago - 1970 Scout, 4:06 p.m., EST, Vandenberg AFB, November 9: CA. OFO 1 (Orbiting Frog Otolith) launched by a Scout. 1:00 a.m., EST, Wallops Flight Facility November16: Venera 3 crash (WFF). -landed on Venus and be- came first spacecraft to reach another planet. November 18: Explorer 30 (Solar Explorer A) launched

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50 Years Ago - 1970 - Continued er sent back spectacular photos and dis- November 10: 17 launched by a Pro- covered new moons. ton K rocket November 16: SBS-I launched, 5:49 p.m., from Baikonur. EST, Cape Canaveral, Fla. It landed on December 6: Intelsat 5 F-2 orbited by Atlas the moon 7 -Centaur, 6:31 p.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, days later in Fla. the Sea of Rains. The first Moon rover, Lunokhod 1, was then deployed and re- mote-controlled by a 5-man team from Earth. The rover traveled over the lunar surface for 11 months, transmitted photos and analyzed soil samples. November 25: First M2-F2 powered flight, William H. Dana pilot, Dryden Flight Re- search Facility (DFRF), CA. 35 Years Ago - 1985 November 26: STS-61B ( Atlantis), launched from KSC. Crew: Brew- ster H. Shaw, Bryan D. O'Connor, Mary L. 45 Years Ago - 1975 Cleave, Sherwood C. Spring, Jerry L. November 19: Explorer 55 launched (AE-E) Ross, Rudolfo Neri Vela (First Mexican by a Delta, 9:06 p.m., EST, Cape Canaver- citizen in space), and Charles D. Walter. al, Fla. From shuttle cargo bay the crew launched November 26: Last flight of the lifting body Morelos-B, Aussat-2, and Satcom KU-2. program, Thomas C. McMurtry, pilot, Dry- Atlantis landed at EAFB, CA. Dec. 3. Mis- den Flight Research Facility (DFRF). sion Duration: six days, 23 hours.

November 30: OAO-B failed to orbit, launched by Atlas-Centaur, 5:40 p.m., EST, Cape Canaveral, Fla.

December 5: DAD launched by Scout. Failed to orbit, 7:35 p.m., PST, Vandenberg AFB, CA. 40 Years Ago – 1980 November 12: Voyager 1, Flyby 30 Years Ago - 1990 78,000 miles above the cloud tops. Voyag- November 15: STS-38 (Space Shuttle At- December 11: NOAA 1 launched by Thor lantis), launched from KSC. Crew: Richard Delta, (ITOS-A), O. Covey, Frank L. Culbertson, Jr., Charles 6:35 a.m., EST, "Sam" Gemar, Robert C. Springer and Carl Cape Canaveral, J. Meade. Crew launched a classified De- Fla. partment of Defense payload. Landed at December 12: KSC, November 20. Mission Duration: 117 Explorer 42 hours, and 54 minutes. (Uhuru, SAS-A) Launched by Scout B, 5:54 a.m., San Marco facility, Kenya.

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30 Years Ago - 1990 - Continued November 12: STS-74 (Space Shuttle At- 20 Years Ago – 2000 lantis), launched from KSC. Crew: Kenneth November 2: The International Space Sta- D. Cameron, James D. Halsell, Jerry L. tion became occupied with the arrival of the Ross, William S. McArthur, Jr. and Chris A. Expedition One crew consisting of William Hadfield. Second Shuttle-Mir flight. Brought M. Shepherd (commander), Yuri Gidzenko, the Russian Docking Module. Landed at and Sergei K.Krikalev aboard the Soyuz KSC, November 20. Mission Duration: 8 TM-31 launched on Oct.31 from Baikonur. days, 4 hours. The Expedition One mission lasted 136 days and the ISS has been continuously operated by successive crews since then.

December 2: STS-35 (Space Shuttle Co- lumbia) launched from KSC. Crew: Vance D. Brand, Guy S. Gardner, Jeffrey A. Hoff- man, John M. "Mike" Lounge, Robert A. R. Parker, Samuel T. Durrance and Ronald A. Parise. Carried ASTRO-1 telescopes for ultraviolet and X-ray astronomy in cargo bay. Landed at Edwards AFB, CA, Decem- ber 11. Mission Duration: eight days, 23 hours.

December 2: Joint ESA- NASA launch of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) from Cape Canav- eral Air Station by an Atlas 2AS rocket. It carried three American and nine Europe- November 21: EO 1 (Earth Observing mis- an instruments to observe the Sun and its sion 1), the first spacecraft in the American corona. New Millennium Program (NMP) was 25 Years Ago – 1995 December 7: Galileo released probe into launched by a Delta 2 rocket from Vanden- November 4: RADARSAT-1 launched by a Jupiter’s atmosphere. berg AFB at 13:24 UTC. Delta 2 from Vandenberg at 6:22 a.m. PST.

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20 Years Ago - 2000 - Continued 15 Years Ago – 2005 December 15: Soyuz-TMA 20 launched November 30: STS 97 (Space Shuttle En- November 9: Venus Express, an ESA plan- from Baikonur. Crew: a Russian cosmonaut deavour), launched from KSC. Crew: Brent etary mission was launched by a Soyuz- (Dmitry Kondratyev), an Italian astronaut Jett, Michael J. Bloomfield, Joseph R. I. Fregat rocket from Baikonur, designed to (Paolo Nespoli), and a NASA astronaut Tanner, Carlos Noriega, and Marc Garneau monitor the atmosphere of Venus. (Catherine Coleman). Docked with the ISS (Canada). ISS Assembly Flight 4A. Landed December 28: GIOVE-A (Galileo In-Orbit on December 17, 2010. at KSC, Dec. 11. Mission Duration: 10 Validation Element), a European (ESA) days, and 20 hours. navigational satellite, was launched by a Soyuz-Fregat rocket from Baikonur. 10

5 Years Ago – 2015 December 3: LISA Pathfinder, originally named SMART 2 launched by a Launch vehicle from , French Gui- Years Ago - 2010 ana. December 28: Galileo probe performs flyby November 4: NASA's December 15: Soyuz TMA-19M launched of Jupiter’s moon, Ganymede. EPOXI spacecraft success- from Baikonur by a Soyuz FG launch vehi- fully flew past comet Hartley cle. Crew: Tim Kopra, , 2, providing unprecedented and . (ISS Expedition 46). images and giving scientists new information about the comet's volume and material erupting from its surface. November 14: SkyTerra 1, a commercial communication satellite, was launched from Baikonur by a rocket with a Breeze M upper stage.

December 30: Cassini probe performs flyby December 21: SpaceX makes the first suc- of Jupiter. cessful return landing of an orbital class booster at Cape Canaveral. The SpaceX Falcon 9 delivered 11 Orbcomm communi- December 8: Dragon C1 launched from cations satellites. Cape Canaveral on a Falcon 9 rocket.

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SOHO Spacecraft Pioneer 10 Download 1.7 MB PDF Download 1.09 MB Instructions PDF Download 1.2 MB Parts PDF

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December 29, 2020 Launch time: TBD launch the 16th cargo freighter on Soyuz: CSO 2 Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral the 15th operational cargo delivery flight to Launch time: 1642:07 GMT Space Force Station, Florida the International Space Station. The mis- Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the sion is known as NG-15. The rocket will fly Guiana 17th batch of approximately 60 satellites for in the 230 configuration, with two An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a RD-181 first stage engines and a VS25, will launch on a mission from the mission designated Starlink V1.0-L16. 30XL second stage. Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry into polar orbit the TBD February 25, 2021 second Composante Spatiale Optique mili- Falcon 9: Starlink V1.0-L17 Soyuz: OneWeb 5 tary for CNES and Launch time: TBD Launch time: TBD DGA, the French defense procurement Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida Launch site: Vostochny Cosmodrome, agency. The CSO 2 satellite is the second A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Russia of three new-generation high-resolution 18th batch of approximately 60 satellites for A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch 36 sat- optical imaging satellites for the French SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a ellites into orbit for OneWeb, which is de- military, replacing the Helios 2 spy satellite mission designated Starlink V1.0-L17. veloping a constellation of hundreds of series. The Soyuz-2.1a (Soyuz ST-A) rock- satellites in for low-latency et will use a Fregat upper stage. February broadband communications. The Soyuz- Falcon 9: Starlink V1.0-L18 2.1b rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. January 4/5, 2021 Launch time: TBD Falcon 9: Turksat 5A Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida February 26, 2021 Launch window: 0127-0529 GMT on 5th A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Atlas 5: STP-3 Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral 19th batch of approximately 60 satellites for Launch time: TBD Space Force Station, Florida SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the mission designated Starlink V1.0-L18. Space Force Station, Florida Turksat 5A communications satellite for A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will Turksat, a Turkish satellite operator. Built 1st Quarter launch the STP-3 mission for the U.S. by Airbus Defense and Space with signifi- Electron: STP-27RM Space Force. The STP-3 rideshare mission cant Turkish contributions, the Turkish 5A Launch time: TBD will launch the STPSat 6 satellite and sev- satellite will provide Ku-band television Launch site: Launch Complex 2, Mid- eral small satellites. STPSat 6 hosts sever- broadcast services over Turkey, the Middle Atlantic Regional , Wallops al payloads and experiments, including the East, Europe and Africa. Island, Virginia National Nuclear Security Administration’s A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch on Space and Atmospheric Burst Reporting January 14, 2021 its first mission from a new launch pad at System-3 (SABRS-3) payload, and NASA’s Falcon 9: Transporter 1 the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Laser Communications Relay Demonstra- Launch time: TBD Wallops Island, Virginia. The launch cus- tion (LCRD) experiment. The rocket will fly Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral tomer is the U.S. Air Force, and the mis- in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five- Space Force Station, Florida sion will launch an experimental mission for meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters, A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the the Space Test Program called Monolith and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. Transporter 1 mission, a rideshare flight to with a space weather instrument. The Mon- a sun-synchronous orbit with dozens of olith mission will demonstrate the ability of Late February small microsatellites and nanosatellites for a small satellite to support large aperture PSLV: Amazônia 1 commercial and government customers. payloads. Launch time: TBD Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Cen- Mid-January February 15, 2021 ter, Sriharikota, India LauncherOne: ELaNa-20 Soyuz: 77P India’s Polar Launch window: TBD Launch time: TBD (PSLV), designated PSLV-C51, will launch Launch site: Cosmic Girl (Boeing 747), Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, the Amazônia 1 Earth observation satellite Mojave Air and Space Port, California Kazakhstan for Brazil. The Brazilian-built spacecraft A Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket will A Russian government Soyuz rocket will carries an optical camera to monitor envi- launch on its second flight after dropping launch the 77th Progress cargo delivery ronmental conditions, such as deforesta- from a modified Boeing 747 carrier jet. The ship to the International Space Station. The tion, in the Amazon region. Several sec- flight will be conducted under contract to rocket will fly in the Soyuz-2.1a configura- ondary payloads from private Indian com- NASA’s Venture Class Launch Services tion panies will also be on this launch. Program, carrying 14 CubeSats to orbit for NASA field centers, U.S. educational insti- February 20, 2021 tutions and laboratories on the ELaNa-20 Antares: NG-15 rideshare mission. Launch time: 1736 GMT (12:36 p.m. EST) Launch site: Pad 0A, Wallops Island, January Virginia Falcon 9: Starlink V1.0-L16 A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket will

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The much anticipated Dyna- NASA SLS (). The Soar book written by Dr. Roy rocket is available now for pre-order and Houchin II and published by should be released soon. ARA Press is available. The hardback book has over 200 8.5”x11” pages and includes No vendor has released more new product 400 photographs and illustra- recently than Estes Industries LLC. Many tions. It is the definitive account of the US of the upcoming kits they had mentioned at Air Force X-20 Dyna-Soar. The book sells last Summer’s Virtual Manufacturer’s Fo- for $39.95 and is well worth it if you are a rum are now available including the Sky- fan of the X-20. Lab variant of the 1/100 , re- vamped 1/100 Saturn 1B and the re- Matt Steele recently release of the popular C5 “Super C” mo- announced the re- tors. lease of the North Coast Rocketry Argo D4 1:8.66 Super Scale rocket kit. The kit con- tains many ultra de- tailed 3D parts which took four years of development. The model is absolutely stun- ning. Other recently released products include the Space Corps Centurion ARF which is Matt admits that it is not an in-expensive also available in a launch set, the new As- kit, however I imagine it would take many trocam, and minimum diameter high flyer hours and nearly the same cost for a mod- Xtreme. eler to produce a model of equal quality. For further details and photos of the kit or to order your own, check out the North Coast Rocketry website.

Last Summer Estes released a Ready to Fly 1/200 Saturn V in celebration of the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary. This year they are releasing a 1/200 RTF model of the

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