board called [TeleScience](http://altusmetrum.org/TeleScience), a 1000 mAh
LiPo battery, and a power switch.
-The TeleScience board supports connection of up to 12 NTC thermistors along
+The prototype TeleScience boards support connection of up to 12 NTC thermistors along
with other capabilities.
-Installing the electronics in the fin can bay is a *huge* challenge due to the
-restricted space between the MMT and airframe.
+Installing the electronics in the fin can bay was a *huge* challenge due to the
+restricted space between the MMT and airframe. All of the through-hole connectors on
+both boards were removed, along with the GPS antenna and beeper on the TeleMetrum board,
+yielding two boards with no parts on the "top" side. A short piece of ribbon cable was
+hard-wired between the companion ports on the two boards, and the LiPo battery leads
+were soldered to TeleMetrum. The TeleMetrum board was equipped with an edge-launched
+SMC RF connector (smaller in diameter than an SMA) for attachment to an off-board
+antenna. Then the boards were installed on minimum-height standoffs above the phenolic
+motor mount behind a hatch cut in the airframe between two fins, with the GPS antenna
+and beeper epoxied down to the side of the TeleMetrum board. The battery was mounted
+as far forward as possible and blocked in with some small bits of scrap balsa stuck down
+with super glue. The power switch was mounted near the aft end of the bay such that a
+small screwdriver reaching through the 0.25 inch static vent can be used to turn things
+on and off.
### Fintenna ###
and very close to the motor casing. For this build, I decided to try
something completely different.
-The quick summary is that I'm loading the two fins that don't have thermistors
+The quick summary is that I'm loading up the two fins that don't have thermistors
in them as an antenna. And it works brilliantly!
Before bagging the fins with the CF and glass lamination, I put 1 inch wide
down to the root. Then the fins were bagged with 2 layers of 5.7 oz 2x2
twill carbon fiber and a 6 oz glass sanding veil layer on both sides, all in
one bagging operation to ensure all the layers formed a strong chemical epoxy
-bond.
+bond.
After unbagging, while the epoxy was still somewhat leathery, I carefully
cut the CF back at the root edge of each fin exposing the copper foil. The
## Build
-Parts gathered during late 2011 and early 2012. Built underway in early
-March of 2012.
+Parts gathered during late 2011 and early 2012. Built starting in early
+March of 2012, and completed in time for [NCR](http://www.ncrocketry.org/)'s
+Mile High Mayhem 2012.
The nose cone was custom fabricated by Jeff Lane at
[Shockwave Rocketry](http://shockwaverocketry.com), with thermistors embedded.
but we want to use glass couplers this time around for more strength, and
that leads to fit issues with the Magnaframe-based Dynawind tubing. So even
though it's slightly heavier, we're going with an all-glass build this time.
-We'll lose a little bit of max velocity, but hopefully it'll all hang together
-this time!
+We'll lose a little bit of max velocity, but hopefully it'll all hang together!
The tailcone is a no-longer-available Giant Leap 98-75mm Slimline tailcone
recovered from 2YikStik's wreckage.
birch plywood. The fin forward and leading edge rings are made from 3/4 inch
thick birch plywood, mostly to provide sufficient depth for milled fin slots.
-Will add a pointer to build photos here once they are available.
+## Photos
-## Publicity
+I've put all the [build photos](http://gallery.gag.com/rockets/YikStik3/Build/)
+together in one place.
+
+These were taken by friends at YikStik3's first flight during the
+[Kloudbusters](http://www.kloudbusters.org/) Airfest 18 launch over Labor Day
+weekend 2012:
+
+* [Terry Lee](http://gallery.gag.com/rockets/YikStik3/Airfest18-Terry.Lee/)
+* [Tom Marble](http://media.info9.net/tag/yikstik3/)
## Flights
-The intended first flight of YikStik3 will be at NCR's Mile High Mayhem 2012
-on an as-yet-unreleased [Cesaroni](http://pro38.com) Pro75 6xl Imax reload
-tentatively designated 9874M2245, which is a 92.7% M with approximately
-4.4 seconds burn time. It's going to be one heck of a ride!
+The intended first flight of YikStik3 was to be at NCR's Mile High Mayhem 2012
+on an unreleased [Cesaroni](http://pro38.com) Pro75 6xl Imax
+reload. Unfortunately, the jet stream was parked over the site yielding
+strong upper level winds, such that it would not have been possible to keep
+the airframe inside the waiver cylinder during recovery... so we didn't fly.
+
+The motor was then certified as the Pro75-6GXL 9977-M2245-IM-P. I was able
+to fly YikStik3 for the first time at the
+[Kloudbusters](http://www.kloudbusters.org/)
+[Airfest 18](http://www.kloudbusters.org/airfest/Default.aspx). They've got
+a huge waiver cylinder and an awe-inspiring recovery area .. which it turns
+out we didn't need much of! The airframe achieved approximately Mach 2.2 and
+21,660 feet above ground.
projects / web / gag.com / blobdiff